Rules
GFHL SUMMER HOCKEY LEAGUE
OFFICIAL RULES & BYLAWS
Summer Season 2026
Not for Profit • Invite-Only Draft League
1. League Overview
The GFHL Summer Hockey League is a non-profit, invite-only four-team draft league designed to provide competitive, safe, and well-organized summer hockey.
All league operations including:
• Ice rentals
• Referees
• Jerseys and equipment
• Administration and operations
are funded entirely through player registration fees and sponsorship contributions.
This document outlines the official rules, bylaws, and expectations for all players, captains, and league officials.
2. Governance & Authority
2.1 League Leadership
Directors
Jack Uniac & Brett Harrogate
Commissioners
Listed on Staff Page
League leadership is responsible for:
• Overseeing all league operations
• Managing scheduling and league logistics
• Maintaining player rosters and substitutes
• Communicating league updates to captains and players
• Issuing discipline and suspensions when required
• Interpreting league rules
The Commissioner has final authority on rule interpretations and league decisions.
2.2 Team Captains
Team captains are responsible for:
• Participating in the league draft
• Managing team communication
• Ensuring player attendance
• Submitting lineup cards and roster updates
• Reporting league issues to the Commissioner
Captains may not override league rules or referee decisions.
2.3 Officials
Game officials (referees) have full authority during gameplay.
• All referee decisions are final during the game
• Disputes may be brought to the Commissioner after the game
3. Player Eligibility & Rosters
3.1 Eligibility
The GFHL is an invite-only league.
Players must:
• Be approved by the Commissioner
• Pay registration fees in full
• Complete all required waivers
3.2 Draft & Rosters
All 60 players are drafted across 4 teams.
Each team roster includes:
• 14 skaters
• 1 goaltender
Rosters become final after Week 1 of the season.
Trades are not permitted unless approved by the Commissioner.
3.3 Goaltenders
Each team must roster one goaltender.
If a rostered goalie is unavailable:
• A Commissioner-approved replacement goalie may be used.
4. Attendance & Substitutes
4.1 Attendance
Players are expected to:
• Attend games consistently
• Notify their captain as early as possible if unavailable
• Respect league scheduling
4.2 Substitute Players
Substitute players must:
• Be approved by the Commissioner
• Come from the league approved spare list
• Be of equal or lower skill level than the missing player
• Not disrupt competitive balance
• Teams may not use APs unless they are unable to roster 10 players
AMMENDMENT: As of May 20, APs must come from existing pool of players (earlier or later ice time) with captains notifying either Jack or Brett exactly who is out and who is filling in via appropriate channels.
Substitute players may not participate in playoffs unless explicitly approved.
5. Gameplay Rules
All games follow Hockey Canada and OHA Junior rules, with the following GFHL-specific adjustments.
5.1 Game Format
Warmup: 3 minutes
Game Length:
• 12,12,15 periods
• Run-time clock
Clock Procedures:
• Clock stops for goals, penalties, and injuries
• The final 2 minutes of the third period are stop-time if the score is within two goals
Intermission:
• 1 minute
Teams do not switch ends between periods.
Each team will defend the same end of the ice for the entire game.
5.2 Timeouts
Each team is permitted one (1) timeout per game.
• Timeout length: 30 seconds
• Timeouts may be taken during any stoppage of play
• Unused timeouts do not carry over
5.3 Icing
GFHL uses Hybrid Icing.
The referee determines icing once the puck crosses the goal line based on which player would reach the puck first at the faceoff dots.
If the defending player leads the race:
• Icing is called
If the attacking player leads the race:
• Play continues
Defensive Line Change Rule
When a team ices the puck:
• The offending team may not change players
• The attacking team may change players
Teams that are shorthanded may ice the puck without restriction.
5.4 Last-Minute Icing Rule
During the final two minutes of the second half, if a team that is leading the game commits icing:
• The offending team may not change players
• The faceoff remains in the defensive zone
If repeated icing is used to intentionally delay play:
• The referee may issue a warning
• Continued abuse may result in a bench minor for delay of game
5.5 Offside
Standard Hockey Canada offside rules apply.
• Tag-up offside is permitted
5.6 Body Contact
GFHL is a non-checking league.
Allowed:
• Angling
• Body positioning
• Incidental contact
Not allowed:
• Body checking
• Charging
• Boarding
• Open-ice hits
Dangerous contact will be penalized strictly.
5.7 Penalties
Minor Penalty
3 minutes run-time
Major Penalty
7minutes
Misconduct
10 minutes
Match Penalty
Automatic ejection and suspension review
5.8 Breakaway Infractions
If a player on a clear breakaway scoring opportunity is fouled from behind:
• A penalty shot will be awarded
The referee will determine whether a breakaway opportunity existed.
5.9 Jailbreak Penalty Kill
GFHL uses Jailbreak Penalty Kills.
If a shorthanded team scores during a minor penalty:
• The penalized player is immediately released from the penalty box
• The penalty is terminated
This rule applies only to minor penalties.
Major penalties must be served in full regardless of goals scored.
5.10 Delay of Game
A 3-minute minor penalty may be assessed if:
• A goaltender intentionally shoots or throws the puck out of play
• A player deliberately dislodges the net
• A team intentionally delays the restart of play
Puck Out of Play
If a skater shoots the puck out of play, including over the glass:
• No penalty will be assessed
• Faceoff occurs in the defensive zone of the offending team
5.11 Fighting
GFHL maintains a zero tolerance policy for fighting.
Any player involved will receive:
• Game Misconduct
• Automatic disciplinary review by the Commissioner
Further suspensions may apply.
5.12 Overtime
If a game is tied at the end of regulation, overtime will be played.
Regular Season Overtime
• 3-on-3 sudden death overtime
• Length: 5 minutes
If a goal is scored during overtime:
• The game ends immediately
If the game remains tied after overtime:
• The game proceeds to a shootout
5.13 Shootout (Regular Season Only)
If the game remains tied after overtime:
• A best-of-three shootout will determine the winner
Shootout Rules:
• Each team selects three shooters
• Shooters must be rostered players
• Substitute players are not eligible
If the game remains tied after three rounds:
• The shootout proceeds to sudden death rounds
A player may not shoot a second time until all eligible rostered players have shot.
5.14 Playoff Overtime
Playoff games tied at the end of regulation will proceed to continuous overtime periods.
Overtime Format:
• 3-on-3 sudden death
• 10-minute overtime periods
If no goal is scored:
• Additional 10-minute overtime periods will be played until a goal is scored
There are no shootouts in the playoffs.
5.15 Remaining Ice Time
If time remains in the scheduled ice slot after the 40-minute regulation game:
• The official score will be finalized
• Teams may continue playing a scrimmage for the remaining ice time
This ensures no ice time is lost at the end of regulation.
6. Standings & Scoring System
6.1 Points System
Teams receive points in the standings as follows:
Win
2 points
Tie
1 point
Loss
0 points
6.2 Tiebreakers
If two or more teams are tied in the standings, the following tiebreakers apply in order:
Head-to-head record
Goal differential
Goals against
Coin flip (conducted by the Commissioner with captains present)
7. Playoff Format
7.1 Semifinals (Week 13)
Game 1
1st Place vs 4th Place
Game 2
2nd Place vs 3rd Place
7.2 Finals (Week 14)
Winners advance to the Championship Game.
Losing semifinal teams play in the Consolation Game.
7.3 Playoff Substitutes
Substitutes are only permitted if:
• A team has fewer than 10 skaters available
• The substitute is approved by the Commissioner
• The substitute does not significantly alter competitive balance
Goalie substitutions must also be league-approved.
8. Discipline & Conduct
8.1 Player Behaviour
All players are expected to:
• Respect officials
• Respect teammates and opponents
• Avoid abusive or vulgar language
• Avoid threats, fighting, or reckless play
8.2 Suspensions
The Commissioner may issue suspensions for:
• Fighting
• Abuse of officials
• Intent to injure
• Repeated dangerous penalties
• Off-ice misconduct affecting the league
9. Jerseys & Equipment
9.1 Jerseys
All players must wear the official GFHL league jersey.
Players must also wear:
• GFHL league socks
• League-issued helmet stickers
Logos may not be altered or covered.
9.2 Player Equipment
Required equipment includes:
• CSA-approved helmet
• Gloves
• Hockey pants
• Shin guards
Facial protection is player choice.
The league strongly recommends visors or cages.
The GFHL is not liable for injuries resulting from a lack of facial protection or optional equipment.
Neck guards and shoulder pads are recommended but not mandatory.
10. Media & Social Content
Players agree that the league may:
• Use player photos
• Post highlights and statistics
• Share game results and media on social platforms
Players are expected to represent the league respectfully online.
11. Fees & Financial Policy
11.1 Player Fees
Player fees fund:
• Ice rentals
• Referees
• Jerseys
• League operations
GFHL operates as a not for profit league.
11.2 Refund Policy
Refunds are not provided once the season begins, except in limited circumstances:
• Season-ending medical injury
• Replacement player is found
All refunds are at Commissioner discretion.
Sponsors do not receive refunds.
12. Waivers & Liability
By participating in the GFHL, players acknowledge:
• Hockey is a physical sport with inherent risk
• The league, rink, officials, and organizers are not liable for injuries
Players must sign all required waivers or insurance forms.
13. Amendments & Updates
The Commissioner may:
• Update rules during the season if required
• Implement emergency policies to maintain safety and fairness
All updates will be communicated to captains and players.
Players agree to follow the most current version of the rules and bylaws.
Player Acknowledgement
By registering and participating in the GFHL Summer Hockey League, all players agree to abide by the rules and bylaws outlined in this document.