The most important rule of GHL hockey is to play with a high level of sportsmanship. It’s not about scoring the most number of goals, it’s about having the most fun every game and ensuring everyone you’re sharing the ice with is having a great time too.
If you ever have a problem and need to contact somebody, this is how the league is structured:
League Owner – Nick Vocal
Mixed Division Coordinator – James Bell
Minor/Major Division Coordinator – Nick Vocal
Select Division Coordinator – Rob Alexander
Admin, Charity & Events Coordinators – Chris and Leighann Carella
Ref in Chief – Rob Alexander
Always feel welcome to escalate things to Nick if needed
Your GM: Your GM is a very important part of the GHL, they work hard so you have a good season. Please help them by letting them know when you’ll be missing any games. Remember to buy them a beer from time to time as well ?
Share the Ice: Taking long shifts isn’t fair to your teammates; keep it quick and skate hard. Do NOT be “that” person who takes greedy shifts.
Back to the bar! We are a very social league and it’s important to come out to with your team after the game. Even if you only have a glass of water, you’ll have a lot of fun and meet great people. Please do make an effort and come out.
Online Platform - Teamlinkt: Teamlinkt will connect you to your team with email and chat communication, schedules, and attendance. You can do just about everything from the WEB or APP so you can decide where you feel more comfortable interacting.
Required Equipment: Mixed Fridays, Major and Minor Saturdays require players to wear a FULL cage and neck guard.
The Select division does not have this requirement but we do strongly urge players to wear a full cage for their own safety.
https://ghlniagara.com/ghlniagara/EquipmentNeeded
Timekeepers: Many of our timekeepers are teenagers and family members of players. If there is an issue with game time or score, please alert the referee. If you’re serving a penalty, do not take it out on the timekeeper. We will not tolerate anyone giving the timekeeper a hard time.
Referees: If you have any issues with the reffing, please go to your GM first. Refs are here to help the league and we will not tolerate people giving them a hard time. There are questionable calls in every league, NHL included, just accept it as part of the game if there is a call you don’t agree with. We have a ZERO tolerance policy towards arguing with the ref so please don’t try it.
Rough play / Suspensions: Our intention is to run a decent game but not a dirty one. Things will be run very strictly so make sure everyone knows we are not solving problems on the ice physically. Suspensions and expulsions will happen if players cannot follow the rules.
Referrals: The GHL is always looking to recruit new beginner players so get your non-hockey-playing parents, siblings, girlfriends, and boyfriends out of the stands and get them into the minor division! Any minor player who joins Saturday will earn you a $100 referral bonus. We even have equipment we can lend them to try it out.
Social Media / Fill-Ins: Make sure to join the GHL Player Zone group and follow us on Instagram for lots of fun updates. This is also where GMs will post if they need fill-in players for any upcoming games.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ghlniagara
Special rules everyone needs to know:
- In the interest of keeping the game moving, referees will waive off some icing calls. Even neutral zone icings.
- A player with 3 penalties may be ejected from the game. Referees can also eject a player at any time if they see fit.
- If you are unsportsmanlike, your GM may bench you or eject you from the game.
- Referees can call an unsportsmanlike penalty any time they wish. Players must wait for a whistle to come out of the box.
- If you are found to be playing while intoxicated to the point of putting other players at risk, you may be suspended or expelled from the league.
- The game will be stop-time for the last minute of the game if it’s a 1 goal game or less.
- Goalies can skate up to the hash marks and behind the net. Goalies should not cover the puck if they are out of the crease.
- A helmet must be worn if hockey is being played (including warmups).
- In Minor, Major and Mixed divisions, opposing players are not permitted in the crease.
- No slapshots at any time (including warmups).
Questions to ask yourself before your first game:
- Do I have a jersey? You better show up 30 min early if not.
- Have I washed the funk out of my gear so I make a good first impression?
- Are my skates sharp?
- Does the babysitter know I’ll be late so I can hang out with my team after my game?
- Have I joined the GHL Niagara Facebook group so I don’t miss anything? Player Zone Facebook Page
- Check out the Event calendar: Events
- Read all the rules if you have any questions Rules
Important to note:
The GHL has a very strict limit on how many players a GM can request on their team. We make every effort to pair people with their buddy, but you may not be paired with the GM of your choice. We believe it’s important for people to move around the league every year so we’re not always playing the same teams.
Trust us, the GHL is full of amazing people you haven’t met yet.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me or your GM.
Thanks, everyone!