Rules Guidelines for Play

Below are the not-quite-official and inconsistently-enforced Guidelines for Play for the Eagle River NHL. They describe how we play and how we expect those who join us to play. Please read these and decide for yourself if we’re a good fit for you.
  1. Our first and most important rule is HAVE FUN. If you’re not having fun – or playing in a way that keeps others from having fun – you’re doing it wrong.
  2. READ THE ROOM! This is not the NHL All-Star Game, a Division 1 tryout, or a chance to make your own personal highlight reel. Many of our players are older or retired, please always be mindful of the capabilities of whatever group happens to be on the ice, and play accordingly.
  3. We LOVE new skaters, anyone trying to learn hockey, and those getting back into it after time away. Keep in mind that we aren’t a skating school, you should have at least basic skating abilities. If you can’t abide sharing the ice with a few players of lower or moderate ability, you shouldn’t be on the ice with us. Everyone has to start somewhere, whether as a 5-year-old or a 50-year-old. Those of you lucky enough to be in the former category please take note of this and help us to keep this league all-inclusive.
  4. PAY UP! We don’t get free ice time and neither do you. Be an adult and pay your ice fees, whether you’re skating just once or for the whole season. Find the Commissioner or one of his lackeys and put some money in their hand (individual skates are currently at $12). Most of what we collect goes right to the rink association, so help us stay in their good graces.
  5. Protect thyself. Helmets are required; hockey gloves, shin guards, elbow pads, and personal protection are highly recommended. Most of our players wear little or no other upper-body protection (see Rule 8 below).
  6. This is a no-check league. While other contact is not strictly forbidden, it should be appropriate to the situation and the players involved (except for Alan, always go hard at Alan, he loves it). Otherwise, if you’re not sure what you can get away with, don’t try to get away with it. Learn how WE play before showing us how YOU play.
  7. Bring a dark (preferably black) jersey, and a white jersey (or impress your friends and order a set of our totally awesome, customized Noontime Hockey League home and away jerseys). At any given skate, we try to ensure that the teams are evenly matched. Please be flexible if The Commissioner or one of his lackeys ask you to swap out whatever jersey you’re wearing to create more evenly-balanced teams.
  8. Unless you have a clear path, high slap shots are frowned on. For the safety of our players, many of whom do not wear upper-body protection, we (and our goalies) prefer that if you’re going to shoot hard, please keep the puck low. Failure to do so consistently will undoubtedly result in a vigorous cup-check from Mugsy, our Goalie Emeritus. Consider yourself warned.
  9. Interested in keeping stats? You’ll get 2 points for every assist, and 1 point for every goal (see Rules 1 and 2, above). The Commissioner reserves the supreme right to deduct points for unsportsmanlike play, showboating, or non-happy play (see Rule 1).
  10. Share the ice time. If there are a lot of skaters on the bench, please try to keep your shifts short. Get out there, skate hard, and then give someone else a chance to do the same. We’ve considered limits on the number of skaters allowed at any given session, but so far that’s rarely been enforced. At times of high attendance (most notably holidays and Pond Hockey week in February), we may split up the group and utilize the other rink.READ