Rules

TOURNAMENT FORMAT RULES AND REGULATIONS

• The tournament will guarantee each team a minimum of 5 games.
• Each game will consist of three 20-minute stop-time periods with full ice clean after each period.
• If time dictates, the referee and tournament committee may eliminate the ice cleaning. Play will recommence after a two-minute rest period.
• Warm-ups will be 5 minutes with pucks supplied by the tournament.
• The tournament format:
  • 16 teams split into two pools: Reid Pool and Iginla Pool.
  • Each pool has 2 divisions of 4 teams.
  • Each team plays 3 games within their division in a qualifying round.
  • The top two teams from each division advance to the “A” championship playoffs.
  • The third-place teams advance to the “B” consolation playoffs.
  • The fourth-place teams advance to the “C” consolation playoffs.
• Round-robin play:
  • Games tied in regulation follow the overtime format.
  • Points:
    • Win in regulation: 3 points.
    • Loss in regulation: 0 points.
    • Win in overtime: 2 points.
    • Loss in overtime: 1 point.
• Tiebreakers:
  • (A) If two teams are tied in points, the winner of their game advances.
  • (B) If more than two teams are tied, the team with the most wins advances.
  • (C) If still tied, the team with the most regulation wins advances.
  • (D) If still tied, the team with the best goal average advances. (GF / (GF + GA)).
  • (E) Maximum 6-goal differential observed per game (Mercy Rule applies).
  • Shoot-out goals do not count in total.
  • If still tied, the team with the least penalty minutes in qualifying round advances.
  • If still tied, a coin toss determines the advancing team.

OVERTIME FORMAT RULES AND REGULATIONS

• If a round-robin or playoff game ends in a tie:
  • Teams do not change ends; after a 2-minute break, play a 5-minute 3-on-3 stop-time overtime.
  • The game ends on a sudden-death goal.
  • If no goal is scored, the game proceeds to an NHL-style shootout.
  • Shootout details:
    • Each team selects three players for the initial shootout.
    • If still tied, teams alternate individual shooters until one scores and the other does not.
    • No player may shoot twice until all eligible players have shot.
  • Only active roster players are eligible; suspended or major-penalty players cannot participate.
  • Penalties carry over into overtime.
  • If a team refuses to play, it will be declared a loss.
  • The referee and committee may eliminate overtime and proceed directly to a shootout due to time constraints.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME OVERTIME FORMAT

• If the Championship game ends in a tie:
  • Teams do not change ends; after a 2-minute break, play a 5-minute 4-on-4 sudden-death overtime.
  • If still tied, a second 5-minute 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime is played.
  • If still tied after both overtime periods, a shootout determines the champion.

RULES

• The tournament will be played under C.H.A. rules.
• All players must wear CSA-approved helmets with face masks and secure chinstraps.
• Teams must use approved equipment as per their provincial/state governing body.
• Certified neck guards are required; mouth guards are not mandatory.
• Team rosters must be submitted before the tournament starts and include registration cards.
• Rosters are frozen once the tournament begins.
• The referee-in-chief assigns officials for each game.
• The Tournament Committee manages off-ice officials.
• Written reports of disciplinary rulings will be sent to the correct governing body as needed.
• Coaches and managers are responsible for ensuring suspensions are served.
• Hockey Alberta's minimum suspension guidelines apply.
• Teams must check in rosters at least 30 minutes before their game.
• The St. Albert Raiders Sabres will use the east bench in the Performance Arena throughout the tournament.
• Home/away teams are determined by schedule, not bench location.
• Home team wears dark jerseys; away team wears light jerseys.

MERCY RULE

• When a six-goal differential occurs after the second period:
  • The clock switches to running time after the next face-off.
  • If the differential drops below six, the clock returns to stop time.
  • Penalties remain the same length as in stop time.
  • A maximum of a six-goal differential is used for plus-minus calculations.
  • If the final score has a differential greater than six, it is reduced to six.

TIME OUTS

• Each team is allowed one 30-second timeout per game.
• Timeouts are not allowed when the Mercy Rule is in effect.

PROTESTS

• Protests must be made verbally to the Tournament Office within 15 minutes of game end.
• A written account with a CAD 100.00 fee must be submitted within one hour of game end.
• The Tournament Committee will act on the protest as soon as all facts are available.
• The Committee's rulings are final.
• No protests are allowed on judgment calls by on-ice officials.

SHOOTOUT RULES

• If a game remains tied after overtime, a shootout occurs:
  • Shootout rules are the same as penalty shots.
  • The visiting team shoots first.
  • Teams alternate shots.
  • Three players from each team participate initially.
  • If tied after three shots, the shootout continues with one shooter at a time in sudden death.
  • No player may shoot twice until all eligible players have shot.
  • Goalkeepers cannot be replaced unless injured, and substitutes get no warm-up.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Hockey Canada, Hockey Alberta, and St. Albert Minor Hockey Association (SAMHA) endeavour to make hockey enjoyable and safe for all players, coaches, officials, volunteers, and parents through an established code of conduct. Please:

• Strive to enhance the safety of all hockey participants at all times.
• Always err on the side of caution and never practice any behaviour that may ultimately harm a participant or worsen an injury.
• Strive to promote the values of Fair Play, Integrity, and Friendship in hockey, and never condone, encourage, or engage in or defend unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Always put the player’s best interest first and ensure that all players are treated with respect and integrity, free from any form of physical and/or emotional maltreatment.
• Never practice, condone, defend, or permit discrimination on the basis of race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, or ethnic origin.

Coaches, parents, and players please remember that respect for the officials is expected at all times, both on and off the ice. The game happens at a quick pace and the officials are doing their best job interpreting play and penalties. Verbal abuse of any official is not permitted and is subject to review by the Tournament Committee and discipline.