CGHL Constitution - As of October 2022
The Constitution of the City Gents Hockey League
Revised
October 2004, August 2011, September 2016, September 2018, September 2019,
October 2020, October 2022
Article 1: Purpose of the League
The
City Gents Hockey League (CGHL) was formed, and exists today, to promote
sportsmanship, goodwill and foster the sport of hockey on a friendly and
competitive basis.
The
rules, by-laws and regulations of both the CAHA and NBAHA, as well as any other
rules, by-laws or amendments imposed by the League itself within this
Constitution, shall govern the League.
Article 2: League Administration
The
governing body of the League shall consist of a Board of Governors and an
Executive.
The
League Board of Governors shall consist of one voting representative from each
team in the league.
The
League Executive shall consist of 3 Co-Presidents. This Executive will be
elected by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Governors at the
beginning of the season and will sit on the Board of Governors.
The
Presidents are to receive an honorarium, to be determined by the League Board
of Governors, and to be paid at the start of each season. In addition, there
will be an executive expense account to be used to cover incidental costs
associated with League activities. Reimbursement to be based on receipts
provided.
Article 3: Powers of the Executive
All
members of the Executive shall refrain from making any public comment or
statement on any League matters that have not yet come before the Board of
Governors.
The Board of Governors can amend or
change rules from time to time, at their discretion, to benefit the
League, as approved by a 2/3 majority vote.
Board of Governors
The
Board of Governors shall consist of a representative from each team in the
League. No more than two members of any team shall attend a meeting and each
team is allowed only one vote at League meetings.
To
hold an official League meeting a quorum shall consist of a representation of a
simple majority of teams in the League (i.e. 12 teams: an official quorum is
seven (7)).
Responsibilities
1)
Shall
be responsible for the passing of any rule changes.
2)
Shall
be responsible for the passing of any constitution amendments and/or changes.
3)
Shall
have jurisdiction over the admittance of any new teams.
4)
Shall
have jurisdiction over anything not specifically covered in the constitution.
5)
All
decisions of the Board of Governors must be
passed by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present (quorum), No
proxy votes allowed – must have representative present.
6)
All
members of the League Executive are to be elected by a two-thirds majority vote
of the members present (quorum).
7)
Shall
have the power to remove from office, for just cause, any member of the
Executive by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present (quorum).
a)
Shall,
within one week of the removal of the Executive member from office, appoint an
individual as his replacement.
8)
Any
team not having a representative at an official League meeting, without just
cause and prior notification, shall be fined $25 dollars.
Note: Any rule changes or changes in the constitution shall not be
passed until after a second League meeting and shall not be applied
retroactively.
The President and/or Co–Presidents
Responsibilities
1)
Shall
preside at all Executive and/or League meetings.
2)
Shall
have the power to issue a suspension to any member of the League for any
infraction of the rules and by-laws in accordance with the guidelines set out
in Articles 7 and 8.
3)
Shall
serve as a consultant to the Suspension Appeals Board
4)
Shall
be considered the trustee of the League.
5)
Shall
be responsible for commencement of League operations including:
a.
Booking of appropriate
ice times in city arenas
b.
Making arrangements for
League game officials
c.
Calling of the first
League meeting for each season
d.
Issuing invitations to
all teams from the City Gents Hockey League of the previous season to rejoin
the League.
e.
Make arrangements for a
replacement for any team, which decides not to return.
f.
Making arrangements for
League schedules
g.
Making arrangements for
the annual banquet if so desired by the
League Governors
h.
Is chair of the annual All Star Game
Committee if so desired by the League Governors
6)
Shall
set agendas for all League meetings.
7)
Shall
act as the spokesperson for the League.
8)
May
appoint special committees.
9)
Ensures
that all members adhere to the rules and regulations of the CGHL.
10)
Presents
awards and/or trophies to their recipients at the appropriate time and place.
11)
Communicates
regularly with on-ice and off-ice officials.
12)
Shall
produce copies of the minutes of the previous meeting for the Board of
Governors.
13)
Shall
record the minutes for any meeting of the League.
14)
Shall
prepare annual operating budget.
15)
Shall
record all financial transactions for the League and prepare a year-end report
of all financial transactions which occurred during the year.
16)
Shall
ensure that all monthly debts are paid in accordance with the terms advised.
Statistician and/or
Timekeeper
The
statistician/timekeeper’s primary responsibility is to record and report on all
relevant League statistics arising from the playing of all League games.
The
statistician/timekeeper will be paid for his/her services on a regular basis
throughout the season at the rate which is to be determined on a per game
basis.
Responsibilities
1)
Shall
serve as timekeeper for all League games or, in the event of his absence, shall
make arrangements for a suitable replacement to fulfill his duties.
2)
Shall
advise the President of any major infractions such as fighting, misconduct’s,
match penalties, etc. as soon as possible after the infraction,
and forward a copy of the game report to the President along with any
written comments by the referees or officials.
3)
Shall
maintain and update the League Website.
4)
Shall update
website with a team roster one-week after player registration deadline.
5)
Shall keep
records of all suspensions and other statistics relative to team play
(website).
6)
Shall
inform the officials and players (by way of clock) as to the amount of time
available for warm-up and shall ensure that the game clock starts on time.
Suspension Appeals Board
A 3
man committee, plus an alternate, appointed by the Board of Governors, along
with the President of the League, shall deal with any appeals of suspensions or
protests that the players or teams feel have been unjustifiably dealt with by
the President in his original decision.
The
decision of the Suspension Appeals Board shall be by a majority vote and the
decision shall be final.
Article 4: Protests / Appeals
The
procedure for the filing of a protest or appeal is as follows:
1)
The
protesting team shall notify the opposing team of the protest before the
completion of the game.
2)
The
President must be notified within 48 hours of the completion of the game under
protest.
3)
The
protesting team or appealing player shall forward a written copy of the protest
to the President and to the opposing team.
4)
A
sum of $50 shall be forwarded with the written copy of the protest.
5)
The
President shall then render his decision within 48 hours of receiving the
official protest.
6)
The
$50 will be returned to the protesting team if the protest is ruled in their
favor.
7)
If the
team or player feels the President’s decision is wrong or unjust, the team or
player can appeal the decision to the Suspension Appeals Board whose decision
will be final.
8)
In
the case where a team is protesting a game, all applicable points will be awarded
to the team that wins the protest.
9)
Constitutional
fines / suspensions will not be appealable
Article 5: Official Tie Breaking Rules
1)
There
are no overtime games except for the playoffs. After regulation time has been
played during the playoffs and there is still a tie, a 5 minute sudden death
will be played. Upon completion of the 5 minute sudden death, and a tie still
remains, a shootout consisting of 3 players chosen from each team will occur
and a winner will be decided. If there is still a tie after the 3 player
shootout, (1) new individual player will be chosen from each team until
one player scores and a winner will be declared, and until all players on bench
are used there will be no repeat players used in shootout.
2)
In
the regular season games, ties count as one point in the standings and the
group winners are determined by the highest number of points awarded in
aggregate for the regular season games. Two points will be awarded for a win
and zero points for a loss.
a.
If there is a tie for a
group based on points then the tie is broken as follows:
i. Case 1. In order of priority based on regular season
totals.
a) greatest number of wins.
b) record between the two teams.
c) greatest positive difference of goals for and against.
d) highest total of goals for.
e) least amount of penalty minutes.
f) if there is still a tie then the two teams will play a playoff game of
which the team winning will win the group. The time of the game will be agreed
to by the two teams.
ii. Case 2. Three (3) or more teams tied in points for a group.
a) best record among the teams from playing only those games against the tied
teams.
b) the same as case 1.
c) the same as case 1.
d) the same as case 1.
e) the same as case 1.
f) if there is still a tie, the remaining tied teams will play a mini-game of
5-minute periods starting one (1) hour after the regular season games are over.
If three or more teams are still tied after applying these rules, then the
mini-games will be played in a round-robin fashion. If there is still a tie,
the results of the mini-games shall count as a round-robin result and the above
rules shall be applied.
Article 6: Playoff Format
League Championship
The
top 8 teams during the regular season will qualify for the playoffs for the
League Championship. The following format will apply for the League
Championship playoffs:
First Round:
Best of 5 Series
1
vs. 8
2
vs. 7
3
vs. 6
4
vs. 5
Second Round:
Best of 5 Series
The
four winners of the first round shall advance to the semifinals. The top remaining
team shall play the lowest ranked team, with the two remaining teams playing
each other.
Third Round:
Best of 5 Final Series
The
two remaining teams play each other for the League Championship.
CONSOLATION PLAYOFFS
In
the spirit of fair play there will also be a consolation playoff series.
First Round: Double
Round robin, each team play each team twice
Second Round: Top two teams from double round robin advance to Best of 3
Final Series (same tie break rules as regular season standings)
Article 7: General Rules
The
rules herein set down by the City Gents Hockey League shall prevail and in all
other instances the CAHA and/or NBAHA rules shall apply.
1)
The
City Gents Hockey League shall consist of twelve (12) teams. Each team will be
required to maintain a $150.00 performance bond (to be topped up and/or paid at
the first of each season) to cover the payment of any fines incurred during the
year.
2)
The
teams shall play a balanced, 33 game schedule, playing each other team three
(3) times.
3) Each team may have 2 players under 25 but over 21 years of
age by April 1st of current season. Goalies are omitted from this
rule.
4) Deadline for player registration will be Oct. 31st
of the playing season and must be submitted to the League Statistician.
5)
Maximum
number of registered players allowed
is 22 per team and the minimum number is 12 players. Note:
The goalie is considered a player.
6)
Each player
must play 11 regular season games in order to be eligible for playoffs.
7)
If a serious
injury occurs during the season in which a player will be out for an extended
period of time, that player may have these games counted towards his season
total so that he can come back to play in playoffs if possible. In this
instance the injured player or team rep must let league executive know that
they are expected to be out for an extended period time and provide a doctor’s
note proving the injury/timeframe. All games missed go-forward from the time
the player notifies league executives will count towards their total game count
for playoffs. No back dating of time missed due to injuries will be counted.
When a player notifies the league of an injury (and provides doctor’s note)
they are to automatically miss the following 4 games.
8)
In
case where team needs a replacement goaltender, first attempt at a replacement
needs to be a goaltender from the CGHL. If all CGHL goaltenders have been
contacted and none can play, then a goaltender from a similar caliber league
can be used. Any goaltenders from different leagues need to be approved by one
of the co-presidents prior to the start of game play. Any team using a non-CGHL goaltender without
President approval will forfeit the game in question.
9)
Any
team caught playing with unregistered players shall forfeit the game or games
in which the ineligible player participated, and be fined $50 per incident.
10)
A
team must ice 5 skaters and a goaltender to constitute a team. The game may begin without a
goaltender, however, the team must have a properly equipped goaltender on the
ice by the 6:00 minute mark of the 1st period. Failure to do so shall result in
the forfeit of the game.
11)
Forfeited
games will result in the forfeiting team receiving a fine equal to the cost of
the ice time, which will be paid to the opposing team, plus the points for that
game. This fine will be go against the forfeiting team’s performance bond and
will be paid directly to the CGHL, who will then turn it over to the opposing
team. If both teams forfeit, the fine will be paid by both teams directly to
the League. Both teams will be awarded a loss in this situation.
12)
The
CGHL will not allow any team in the League to postpone a regularly scheduled
game (exceptions may take place at the discretion of the League Executive).
13)
Each
team is allowed one captain and no more than two alternates. These players must
have a jersey clearly marked in contrasting colors with “C” or “A”. Only these
players will be allowed to speak to a referee over a dispute.
14)
Mandatory
equipment - helmets properly fastened with chin straps, gloves, pants, and shin
guards. Goaltenders must also wear facemasks.
15)
Sticks
must be in good condition with no cracked or splintered edges, etc.
16)
Teams
must have team sweaters of the same color and sweater numbers must be assigned
each player on registration deadline. Senior teams shall have preference
with existing team colors in case of conflict.
17)
Teams
are permitted to take a 30-second time out, provided that the score of the game
is within a five-goal spread and there is time permitting.
18)
Players
and teams are to be held responsible (i.e. including financial restitution) for
their actions and for any damage done to any arena and/or personal or public
damages while playing with the City Gents Hockey League.
19)
Teams
may have their membership suspended or canceled if their money is not paid by
the date set by the League at the beginning of any new season.
20)
All
minor penalties are two minutes in duration during stop time (three minutes if
the clock reverts to straight time). All major penalties are five minutes in
duration during stop time (seven minutes if the clock reverts to straight
time).
21)
All
high stick infractions will be treated as minor penalties (i.e., two minutes)
unless an injury occurs, and then the infraction will be treated as a major
penalty.
22)
Slapshots
will be permitted.
23)
The
CGHL will play three twelve-minute stop time periods during all regular season
and playoff games. If with five minutes or less remaining in the third period,
the goal spread is five or more, the timekeeper will be instructed to allow the
clock to run on straight time. Stop time will take effect again if a sufficient
number of goals are scored to reduce the goal spread to less than five (last
five minutes of any game only).
Article 8: Major Penalties, Fines, and Suspensions
1)
Any 5 Minute Major Penalty
(With exception of High Sticking Majors to be reviewed individually)
First Offense
a) Occurs in the first or second
period, results in a suspension for the remainder of that game and as well the
subsequent game played by his team and a $25 fine.
b) Occurs in the third period
results in a suspension for the remainder of that game and the subsequent two
(2) games played by his team and a $25 fine.
c) The fine will be applied to
the team’s performance bond
Second Offense
d) Notwithstanding paragraph 1(b) above, any player assessed a
second major penalty at any time during the same regular or playoff season,
shall be suspended immediately for the subsequent three (3) games played by his
team and he shall be fined $50 dollars which must be paid in the above manner before
he is permitted to play.
Third Offense
e) Suspended immediately for a minimum of seven (7) games including
playoffs and the team shall be fined fifty $100 dollars and must be voted back
in by a majority vote of the Board of Governors to be allowed to continue to
play in the League.
2) Misconducts
Any player receiving 3, Ten Minute Misconducts
receives an automatic $25 fine and 1 game suspension. Each ensuing Ten Minute misconduct
results in an additional $50 fine accompanied with a 1 game suspension. Players
receiving 5, Ten Minute Misconducts are eligible for additional suspension
by the President.
3) Gross Misconducts / Match Penalties
Disciplinary
action at the discretion of the President and a fine to a maximum of $100. Minimum
3 game suspension for the first offense, final number of games to be determined
at the discretion of the Co-Presidents, depending on severity of incident. Suspensions
of 10 games or greater must be accepted back into play by a majority vote of
the Board of Governors.
4) Minor Penalties
If
in any game a player receives 4 minor penalties, he will be ejected from that
game. A double minor is
considered to be two penalties.
5) If a player wishes to
join our League after being suspended from another League must be accepted into
the League upon review and approval by the board of governors.
6) The League Registration fee shall be divided into 3 payments
with dates set out by the league Executive. First payment ($500) paid at first meeting,
second payment ($2,500) at second meeting, and the third payment will be the
balance due at date set by the league executive, prior to the start of the
season.
A $5 fine per day until commitment met after first meeting will be
applied and subsequently a $10 fine per day after second meeting if commitment
not met will be applied.
If there is a balance
owing at 5PM on the Friday prior to the start of the league play, the team
owing will forfeit the first game and will receive a fine equal to the cost of
the ice time. No team will participate in any game until the full balance owing
for league registration, fines, and performance bonds are paid in full with the
league.
6) All team and individual
fines assessed by the League shall be collected by deducting an equal amount from
that team’s existing performance bond held by the League. Should the
teams’ performance bond be insufficient to cover these fines, the team must
make full payment prior to their next game or risk possible suspensions as determined
by the League.
7) Any items not covered by the constitution will be
addressed by the Executive and the Board of Governors. Final decision in these
cases will be made by the Executive.
Note:
All suspensions and fines will be carried over to any subsequent season for
which the player registers.
Narcotics:
Effective 2011-2012 season teams caught smoking and or smoking
narcotics in the arenas will be fine $25 for first offense, $50 for second
offense and $100 for the third offense. Any team repeating the offense may be
subject to suspensions of games or removal from the League. The President shall
have express authority in such matters.
SUPPLEMENTAL: COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the League Executive will
be developing an “Operational Plan” that is expected to be adhered to by all
teams and players. If team or player deviates from this plan in any fashion,
the League Executive maintains the right to discipline this team 100% at their
discretion on a case by case basis. The league maintains this authority to keep
all players and league officials safe during the pandemic.
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