2026-27 NEGAUNEE HOCKEY LEAGUE (NHL)
Playing Rules
1) Playing Rules
Rule Authority and Updates
USA Hockey rules apply unless they are modified or superseded by NHL League Rules. The USA Hockey Rule Book is available at www.usahockey.com. The Board may revise league rules and policies as needed, provided all rostered players are notified.
- All players must be at least 18 years old on the date of the first scheduled game of the season.
- A player or participant who creates a safety risk because of equipment issues or conduct must leave the ice immediately until the issue is corrected.
C. Minor Penalties
A minor penalty requires the penalized player to sit for three minutes. The penalty ends early if the non-penalized team scores during that time.
Teams continue playing at even strength with five skaters each; no power play is awarded. Instead, the non-penalized team receives a modified penalty shot taken by the player who was fouled.
For a modified penalty shot, the shooter starts with the puck at center ice. All other players must remain at or behind the shooter’s defensive blue line until the shooter touches the puck. Once the puck is touched, play resumes and all skaters may join the play.
If players from both teams receive penalties at the same time, each player serves three minutes and no penalty shots are awarded.
D. Major Penalties
A major penalty results in an automatic Game Misconduct for the offending player. The non-offending team will receive one modified penalty shot. Additional information about Game Misconducts is provided in the League Discipline Policy below.
- Body checking and slap shots are not allowed. A slap shot is any shot in which the stick rises above knee height.
- All NHL players and spectators must follow the rules and regulations established by the City of Negaunee and the Negaunee Ice Arena.
G. The center red line will not be used for icing or two-line passes. Icing will be called from behind the defensive blue line.
H. If the puck leaves the playing area—such as by hitting the netting or ceiling—and immediately returns to a playable area, play will continue. If the puck is caught in the netting or cannot be played safely, play will be whistled down.
2) League Discipline Policy
Purpose and Scope
The discipline policy is intended to protect player safety, promote sportsmanship, and preserve the integrity of the League. These rules are strictly enforced and apply to all players and teams participating in league play.
Players will not receive a monetary refund or reimbursement for games missed because of disciplinary action.
Board Review and Discipline Authority
All major penalties, serious incidents, and serious injuries are subject to Board review once the Board has been notified. Reviews will occur at the next scheduled Board meeting under this discipline policy.
The League Board may impose additional discipline after review. If the Board determines that an incident is severe and likely to warrant further suspension, the player may be suspended before the formal review is completed.
All Board decisions are final.
Prior Major Offenses
Major offenses from prior seasons—including fighting, intent to injure, abuse of officials, and similar conduct—may be considered when determining discipline for a current-season incident involving the same player.
A. Major Penalty = Game Misconduct
All assessed major penalties result in a Game Misconduct. The offending player is ejected from the current game and will receive the following minimum discipline:
• First offense in a season: ejection from the current game plus a one-game suspension.
• Second offense in a season: ejection from the current game plus a three-game suspension.
• Third offense in a season: suspension for the remainder of the season.
B. Dangerous Play / Intent to Injure
Dangerous play includes, but is not limited to, hits from behind, intent to injure, slew-footing, spearing, or any reckless action the Board determines to be dangerous.
The offending player will be removed from play immediately until the Board completes its review and determines the appropriate discipline.
C. Three Penalties in the Same Game
A player who receives three penalties in the same game may receive a Game Misconduct. The Board will review the incident as soon as possible and determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether this rule applies based on the severity and perceived intent of the penalties.
If a Game Misconduct is assessed, the player will serve the discipline described in Section A.
D. No Fighting
Fighting will result in the following discipline for the offending player or players:
• First offense: Game Misconduct plus a one-game suspension.
• Second offense: suspension for the remainder of the season.
E. Verbal or Physical Abuse of Officials
Discipline for verbal or physical abuse of officials will be based on the referee’s report and the Board’s judgment. Discipline may range from an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to a major penalty with Game Misconduct, or permanent expulsion from the League.
F. Three Major Offenses in One Season
A player who commits three combined major offenses in the same season—including fighting, intent to injure, and verbal abuse of officials—will be suspended for the remainder of the season.
G. Permanent Suspension and Disciplinary History
After two season-ending suspensions, the offending player will be permanently suspended from the Negaunee Hockey League.
All suspensions, penalties, and disciplinary records carry forward from season to season. A player’s disciplinary history does not reset.
3) Games & Game Schedules
Game Format and Start Time
Each game includes a three-minute warm-up followed by two 23-minute periods. Regular-season games do not include overtime.
Referees will start the clock on time, regardless of whether teams are ready, unless a League Board Member directs otherwise. Referees may assess Delay of Game penalties at their discretion.
Season Schedule
Season schedules will be released as early as possible before the season begins. The League will make reasonable efforts to give teams a similar number of early and late games, although some teams may occasionally have several games in a row at the same time.
Cancellations and Rescheduling
The Negaunee Ice Arena Manager and the NHL Board may cancel or reschedule games because of weather or other circumstances. The League will make reasonable efforts to notify players promptly.
Team Captains are the primary source for schedule updates; updates may also be shared on Facebook or the League Website. Canceled games will be rescheduled only if ice time is available.
4) Player Substitution Policy
Absence Notice
Players should notify their Team Captain or Board Member as soon as possible if they know they will miss a game.
Substitute Selection Authority
Players may not choose their own substitutes. Substitute players may be selected only by Team Captains or the League Board.
Approval Requirement
When possible, Board members from both teams should agree on any substitute players being added.
Substitution Priority
Teams should select substitute players in the following order:
• Eligible players from the opposing team.
• Available players from the same division.
• Any available League member, if needed. Cross-division substitutions should be avoided whenever possible.
All eligible players should be considered regardless of skill level. When possible, teams should avoid using the same substitute player repeatedly so that all League participants have a fair opportunity to play additional games. Non-League rostered skaters are not allowed. If ongoing roster help is needed, the Board will select players from the waiting list.
Maintaining Competitive Balance
Teams should avoid creating a significant skater advantage. For example, instead of playing 10 skaters against 6, teams may consider moving two players to create teams of 8 skaters each. Another option is to add four skaters so both teams have 10 skaters.
Pickup Opportunities and Roster Limits
Players who have missed previous games, including shift workers, should be given the first opportunity to pick up an additional game.
Teams may add players until both teams have the same number of skaters, subject to the following limits:
• Division 1: maximum of 13 skaters.
• Division 2: maximum of 11 skaters.
Board members may agree to different terms before the game begins if doing so is necessary for the game to be played. Goalies are exempt from these limits and may substitute as needed to ensure every game has goalie coverage.
5) League/Division Playoffs
Playoff Conduct and Rule Flexibility
Division playoffs will be held only if players demonstrate appropriate sportsmanship. Team Captains and Board Members may mutually agree to modify or suspend playoff rules when unusual circumstances require it, provided all players are informed of any changes.
Playoffs will follow the guidelines below.
A. Goalie Substitutions
Goalies may be substituted as needed. In the interest of fair play and good sportsmanship, teams should make reasonable efforts to use a goalie from the same division or a goalie of similar skill whenever possible.
B. Pickup Player Eligibility and Limits
If a team does not have enough players, it may use pickup players, subject to the following requirements:
• Pickup players must be currently rostered Negaunee Hockey League players.
• Players on the waiting list are not eligible for playoff pickup play.
• Pickup players should come from the same division whenever possible.
• Pickup players should be of similar skill level to the missing players whenever possible.
• Pickup players may be added only until the team reaches nine skaters.
This policy is intended to prevent teams from gaining an unfair advantage. If a team has nine or more skaters, it may not add pickup players.
Pickup Player Decision
If a team has fewer than nine skaters, that team’s Board Member may decide whether to add pickup players or play with the available roster.
Pickup Player Scoring
If a team uses pickup players, goals scored by those pickup players will not count. Pickup players are intended to give rostered players rest and allow the game to be played fairly, not to increase scoring or create a competitive advantage.
Pickup Player Approval
Board Members from both teams must agree on any pickup players before they are used.
Designated Captain Authority
If a team’s Board Member will not be present for one or more playoff games, that Board Member should designate a team captain to act on their behalf.
C. Playoff Format and Seeding
Playoffs will use a round-robin format. Results will determine seeding for the championship or consolation game in each division.
Teams earn points as follows:
• Win: 2 points.
• Tie: 1 point.
• Loss: 0 points.
Yooper Invitational Tournament tiebreakers will apply if needed. Details are available upon request can be found at www.negauneehockeyleague.com – Yooper Invitational Tournament tab.
D. Playoff Overtime
Overtime will be used in playoff games when needed. Each overtime period will be five minutes of running time, sudden death, played with three skaters per team.
If the game remains tied after overtime, each team will receive one point and the game will be recorded as a tie.
Championship Game Shootout
For championship games only, a shootout will be used if needed to determine a winner. Each team must use at least three skaters.