By-Law 1 – Duties of Executive & Board of Directors
1.01 Duties and Powers of the Executive
a) To conduct the business of the League in its entirety between Annual Meetings and have complete control of hockey activities within its membership.
b) To re-admit or re-instate, by majority vote, any club, coach, manager, player or referee under suspension, upon application from such suspended club or person.
c) To act as the sole custodian of all League trophies, be the sole judge as to where such trophies shall be stored and maintained, accept or refuse any new trophies and purchase any new trophies for hockey competition if deemed advisable.
1.02 Duties of the President
a) The President shall have the duty of presiding over all meetings of the League.
b) The President may represent any or all of the Executive and Board of Directors on any occasion and will be responsible to his Executive and Board of Directors for the same. In absence of the President, or at his request, the Vice President shall have the powers of the President in every respect.
c) To call special meetings as deemed necessary or at the request of any of four (4) League Member Minor Hockey Associations received in writing.
d) To deal with all disciplinary action within the League and issue suspensions accordingly.
e) To forward the results of any or all protests, appeals and/or suspensions and provide reports to the SHA General Manager regarding the details of those protests, appeals and/or suspensions.
f) In consultation with the Executive Committee, may appoint a Commissioner for each of the Divisions within the League.
1.03 Duties of the Past President
a) It shall be the duty of the Past President to advise the new President, Executive Committee and Board of Directors on League matters.
1.04 Duties of the Vice President
a) The Vice President shall in the absence or illness of the President, or at the request of the President, have all the powers and perform all of the duties of the President.
1.05 Duties of the Secretary/Treasurer
a) Record all minutes of League meetings and attend to all correspondence of the League.
b) Distribute notices to member clubs and Executive Committee members of all meetings when directed by the President.
c) Update and maintain the League’s Constitution and Bylaws and circulate a copy along with a list of member Association contacts. A supply of referee reports and game sheets to all Members.
d) Receive all monies of the CFHL and deposit same to the credit of the CFHL.
e) Pay all accounts as authorized by the Board of Directors.
f) Maintain an accounting system detailing all receipts and expenditures.
g) Collect all membership fees and monies due to the CFHL.
h) Co-sign all cheques with the President.
i) Have all financial records subject to inspection of the President at all times and shall produce them at the request of the Executive Committee.
1.06 Duties of the Referee-in-Chief (RIC)
a) Be responsible to the President; however the RIC is governed by the Rules and Regulations of Hockey Canada and the SHA.
b) Coordinate or delegate supervisors for league games as deemed necessary.
c) Assist the President in a consultative process of determining the facts to a particular incident(s) that might require a League ruling, ie: coach, manager or player suspension.
d) Report to all meetings the concerns of officials and to relay concerns of the league back to officials.
1.07 Duties of Division Commissionaires (If Appointed)
a) To deal with the business of a minor nature that does not require the decision of the Executive Committee between meetings of the Board of Directors or Executive Committee.
b) To deal with and rule on protests.
c) To assess fines, suspend or expel any club, coach manager, player or referee refusing to accept and obey the rulings of the Executive Committee or Board of Directors for proven foul play or for unfair and unsportsmanlike conduct, individually or collectively, at any place where hockey is being played or any meeting, including games outside of league play.
By-Law 2 – Banking
2.01 The CFHL shall maintain it accounts in a Chartered Bank, Credit Union and/or Trust Company.
2.02 All withdrawals or cheques shall require the signature of the President and Secretary/Treasurer.
2.03 The Secretary/Treasurer shall submit a financial statement at the League’s Annual Meeting.
By-Law 3 – Cost of Membership
3.01 Performance Bond
a) A performance bond of $500.00 shall be posted by all participating teams by the Annual Meeting of the current season.
b) A performance bond shall be forfeit if a team fails to appear for a league game without the Presidents consent. The offending team shall not be reinstated until the bond has been resubmitted to the CFHL.
c) That any team that fails to complete a game after it has started is subject to the loss of its performance bond, after a review of the circumstances by the league.
3.02 Membership Fee
a) The yearly membership fee shall be determined annually at the Annual Meeting.
By-Law 4 – Application/Probation/Withdrawal from the League
4.01 Application for Membership
a) Each Minor Hockey Association member shall have voting privileges on new member applications as follows:
i) Each Minor Hockey Association member shall have one (1) vote
ii) The Minor Hockey Association must have been a member in good standing for five years.
b) Such membership application shall be required in writing by the Minor Hockey Association, submitted to the League Secretary/Treasurer by April 1st and accompanied with the appropriate League Membership Fee. Membership shall take effect upon both CFHL approval and SHA approval as per SHA Regulations.
4.02 Probation
a) All Minor Hockey Association teams in the CFHL shall be on a probationary period for two (2) years following which an evaluation will be completed and a vote taken to determine full member status in the league.
4.03 Withdrawal from the League
a) Any member of the League may withdraw from membership with the consent of two-thirds (2/3) of all members of the League. The member must file a notice of withdrawal by April 1st and if accepted by the League members, will become effective as of the Annual Meeting.
b) Any member of the League may apply for a maximum of a one (1) year leave of absence with the consent of two-thirds (2/3) of all the members of the League. The member must file a notice of withdrawal by April 1st and if accepted by the League members, will become effective as of the Annual Meeting.
c) Any Minor Hockey Association on a leave of absence shall not have voting privileges at League meetings but must pay the annual League Membership Fee.
By-Law 5 – League Meetings
5.01 League Meetings
a) The CFHL shall hold a Annual Meeting; a League Scheduling meeting; and any other meeting at the discretion of the President and Executive at a date, time and location of the President’s choice.
5.02 Missing League Meetings
a) Attendance at all League Meetings is mandatory for all Member Minor Hockey Associations. Failure to attend will result in a fine in the amount of a Team’s Performance Bond and League status will not be granted until the Bond is replaced.
By-Law 6 – Registration
6.01 Membership
a) The CFHL shall consist of three “divisions”:
i) Midget
ii) Bantam
iii) Pee Wee
6.02 Team Sweaters
a) Teams must have two sets of sweaters (Light and Dark) to be worn as follows:
i) Home team will wear light sweaters
ii) Visitors will wear dark sweaters
iii) Sweater numbers shall be the same for the home and away sweaters
iv) Teams requesting name or sweater color changes must have all such changes approved by the League prior to said changes being permitted
v) All Pee Wee teams must have the S.T.O.P. sign on the back of their home and away sweaters. The logo is to be in the middle of the sweater approximately two to three inches above the number(s).
6.03 Registration/Eligibility of Players
a) All SHA fees, team certification forms and player registration forms must be in the hands of the SHA Executive Director prior to the commencement of league play. Team registration fees of $300.00 per team and team performance bond of $500.00 for new teams must be paid prior to league play. Minor Hockey Associations must fax/email type-written SHA approved team rosters to the League Statistician PRIOR to the first League game being played. Failure to abide by this bylaw will result in a fine of $100.00 being assessed to the Member Minor Hockey Association. All additions and deletions to rosters approved by the SHA deadlines of January 10th and February 10th must be faxed/emailed to the League Statistician.
b) No player shall be permitted to participate in a League game unless he is properly registered through the SHA as a registered player or affiliated player. If a member team allows an ineligible player to play in a game(s), such game(s), upon ruling by the President, shall be counted as a win for the opposing member team and the coach of the member team who played the ineligible player, shall be suspended for a length of time as determined by the President.
6.04 Team Representatives
a) Each Member Minor Hockey Association must advise the Secretary/Treasurer of their Association Representative to the League and all team representatives, along with all the pertinent contact information, at the League’s Scheduling Meeting.
b) Where there is a change in Team Management, it will be the responsibility of the Member Minor Hockey Association concerned to advise the Secretary/Treasurer and President immediately upon any change being made.
By-Law 7 – Scheduling
7.01 League Format
a) The CFHL Board of Directors shall determine the schedule at a Scheduling Meeting held annually on the second weekend in September. Each team must have a minimum of two people present or they will be fined $200.00.
b) At the scheduling meeting all teams must bring the following minimum weekend dates with appropriate ice times consistent with CFHL policy. Failure to provide these dates will result in a $500.00 fine per team. It is recommended, if possible, that teams have more than the minimum dates required. CFHL policy states weekend ice times no other than Friday at 8:30; Saturday 10:30 – 8:30; and Sunday 10:30 – 3:00. Bantam and Midget times on Sunday can be extended to 4:00.
i) Pee Wee – 20 weekend times
ii) Bantam – 20 weekend times
iii) Midget – 20 weekend times (Prince Albert – 17)
c) Postponement of scheduled games, except in the case of adverse weather conditions, must be arranged between the two teams concerned at least forty-eight (48) hours before the scheduled game time. Any hockey team postponing a scheduled game in order to participate in any exhibition game at home or away shall reschedule the game. Both teams involved in the rescheduling of a game must notify the President and the Statistician by email to verify their agreement to reschedule the game. The email should also include the new date, time and location.
d) Member Minor Hockey Associations will be fined $500 per game for any no-show/forfeiture of their teams for a League or League Playoff game and:
i) Member Minor Hockey Associations may submit a claim for expenses when another team has a no-show for a scheduled League or League Playoff game. The League Executive will have a responsibility to decide if these expenses are legitimate.
ii) Legitimate expenses would include ice rental and referee expenses.
iii) Should the Member Minor Hockey Association not pay the $500 fine within one week of the date of the no-show/forfeiture, they would no longer be eligible to participate in further League or League Playoff competition.
7.02 Tie Breaking Procedure
a) The CFHL will apply the SHA Tie-Breaking Regulation 3.09.01 for the determination of the playoff spots following the regular season’s league play.
7.03 Overtime
a) There shall be no overtime played in Regular Season League Games which end in a tie at the end of Regulation time.
7.04 Number of Players
a) A minimum of twelve (12) skaters and one (1) goaltender must be dressed for each game. Upon the first offence the Member Minor Hockey Association will receive a written warning from the CFHL President. The second offence will result in a forfeiture of the game.
7.05 The CFHL will not allow teams to play a League game that serves as a Regular Season/Provincial game or a League Playoff/Provincial game.
By-Law 8 – Playoff Format
8.01 The CFHL Playoff and CFHL Provincial Playoff Format will be established annually at the League scheduling meeting and all Member Minor Hockey Associations will be advised by November 1st annually of the format.
8.02 All teams participating in Playoffs shall commence their Playoff series without delay.
8.03 Each playoff series shall consist of two (2) games, total goals to count. The team finishing League play in the higher position shall have the choice of playing the first playoff game at home. Both dates must be set before the start of the series. When two weeks are given for a playoff round, the first game must be played during the first week unless mutually agreed upon. No overtime shall be played in the first game. If at the end of the second game the teams are tied in total goals for the round, the overtime procedure (as per Rule 10.16 of the Hockey Canada Official Hockey Rules) will prevail.
8.04 All League finals will be a best of three (3) series with the team finishing League play in the higher position receiving the extra home game.
8.05 Teams must complete their Playoff series in the time frame allotted and they must advise the President of their Division with the agreed upon times, dates and locations forty-eight (48) hours prior to the start time of the first game.
8.06 Teams who wish to extend the time frame allotted to complete their series must first receive permission from the President/Division Commissioner. Failure to gain permission and playing games will result in a $200.00 fine to the Minor Hockey Association responsible.
8.07 All teams participating in the CFHL must have the approval of the CFHL Executive to participate in tournaments during the time frame of League Playoffs or League Provincial Playoffs. Any team not having approval for tournament entry during this time will forfeit their bond and the possibility of removal of the team from the League participation for the following season will exist.
By-Law 9 – Conduct of Game
9.01 Game Warm-ups
a) Each team will be allowed a ten (10) minute warm-up.
b) Each home team is responsible to supply pucks for the warm-up.
c) Each team shall confine itself to its respective side of the centre ice red line during the warm-up, and any player, coach or team official who instigates any incident by crossing the centre ice red line, or creates an incident by verbal abuse, shall be subject to league discipline, which can include fines and suspensions.
d) One team official from each team will be responsible to observe the entire warm-up. Failure to comply by a team will result in a $250.00 fine.
e) Any player or team displaying intimidation tactics during warm-ups will result in a $250.00 fine to the team. The coach will be suspended for a minimum of 3 games and the individual players will be dealt with severely.
f) Any player not wearing all mandatory equipment, including neck protectors, will receive a 2 game suspension and the team may be fined $250.00. Coaches will receive a one game suspension.
9.02 Game Timing
a) The format for the timing of periods will be as follows:
i) Periods should consist of three (3) twenty (20) minute stop time periods. Flooded ice will be expected to start the game and be completed between each period.
9.03 Playing Regulations
a) All CFHL games shall be played in accordance with Hockey Canada and SHA playing rules.
9.04 Shaking of Hands
a) Teams shall shake hands upon the completion of each CFHL game.
9.05 Time-Outs
a) Each team shall be permitted one thirty (30) second time out during the course of each game.
9.06 Off-Ice Officials
a) The Home teams shall be responsible for the assignment of a official timekeeper, scorekeeper and a penalty time keeper who once named are League officials and are responsible to the League President. They must conduct themselves as such and carry out their respective duties according to the rules. Goal judges are not required for any games.
b) It shall be the duty of the official scorer to obtain the names of players on the provided score sheet before the start of the game, record all goals, assists and penalties and hand the same score sheet to the referee for verification at the completion of the game.
9.07 Game Sheets
a) Home teams must submit game sheets and reports to the League Statistician within twelve (12) hours of each game being completed.
b) Teams failing to comply within the stated time shall be subject to a $50.00 fine.
By-Law 10 – Referees
10.01 Assigning of Officials
a) All Member Hockey Associations must provide the name and contact information of the Referee assignor in their Association to the League President at the League’s scheduling meeting.
b) Only SHA registered officials shall be allowed to officiate games in the CFHL.
c) The home Member Minor Hockey Association shall assign and pay the cost of the referee and two linesman.
d) All CFHL games must use a three (3) person referee system.
e) Once a referee and linesman are named, they are League officials and are responsible to the CFHL Referee-in-Chief. They must conduct themselves as such and are expected to administer the Hockey Canada Playing Rules in fair and equitable manner. Rough or Dirty Hockey shall not be tolerated by the CFHL.
f) It shall be the duty of the referee and linesman to sign the score sheet after the completion of the game and any remarks that they may have must be written on the score sheet or a referee report form and forwarded to the League President no later than the morning following the completion of the game.
g) If there are any penalties (Majors, Match or Gross Misconducts) or any disturbances that may call for immediate action by the President, the referee must phone and report the same to the President the same evening as the game or the following morning at the latest. This should be accompanied by a written report.
h) At the request of a team, the CFHL President or Referee-in-Chief shall assign neutral officials for a League or League Playoff game however the following will apply:
i) Team making the request must notify the opposing team of their planned request prior to contacting the League President.
ii) Request must be made ninety-six (96) hours prior to the start of the game or playoff series.
iii) Team making the request for the neutral official(s) is responsible for all referee fees and travel mileage.
10.02 Protection for Referees and League Officials
a) Each Member Minor Hockey Association shall provide at its rink(s) a separate dressing room for the exclusive use of the referees and other League Officials and shall take all steps necessary to ensure that no other person without the permission of the referee, gains access to such dressing rooms.
b) No official or player of a member team shall enter such dressing room, except with the permission of the referee.
By-Law 11 – Suspensions
11.01 The SHA Minimum Suspension Guideline, Regulation 3.07.02, will be enforced. These are minimum suspensions and additional suspensions may be imposed wherever conditions and circumstances are warranted.
11.02 The Executive Member assigned to be in charge of issuing Suspensions will notify the Manager of the team involved and copy the Member Minor Hockey Association of the team involved of any suspensions arising from infractions occurring during League Games.
By-Law 12 – Action Detrimental to the League
12.01 If, in the opinion of the President, based upon such information and reports as he may deem sufficient, any act or conduct of any official of a Member team or player, whether during or outside the playing season, has been dishonorable, including the use of racial epithets or racist acts, prejudice to or against the welfare of the CFHL or the game of hockey, he may expel or suspend such person.
12.02 Prior to any expulsion or suspension, a player or member team has the right to submit a written report of the incident which may involve an expulsion or suspension as long as the report is received by the League President via electronic message no later than noon of the day following the incident in question.
By-Law 13 – Harassment Policy
13.01 The purpose of a Harassment Policy is to ensure the CFHL and its member teams take reasonable steps to ensure that the care of all individuals involved in the operation of the League are addressed. This includes players, coaches, trainers, management, volunteers, billets, and league and game officials.
13.02 The CFHL will not tolerate abuse of any nature (sexual, emotional, verbal or physical) to any player, coach, trainer, management, volunteers, billets, and league and game officials. The CFHL requests that all Minor Hockey Associations, who have a team as a member of this league provide documentation that indicates they are satisfied that the staff and volunteers associated with their team have an acceptable background for their position of trust. Reports of harassment provided to the Executive of the CFHL will be directed to the Minor Hockey Association governing the team in question and/or the appropriate government agency for investigation and action.
By-Law 14 – Protests
14.01 The President shall be the sole judge as to whether a protest shall be entertained and in consultation with the President, the Referee-in-Chief and the Past President when the host Executive is involved.
14.02 Protests on a point of rules only as set out in the Constitution and Bylaws will be entertained and protests will not be entertained on a referee’s decision.
14.03 Protests and all supporting evidence thereof must be forwarded via fax/email and must be signed by the President of the Member Minor Hockey Association and manager of the team involved within three (3) hours of the advertised time of the game protested. Payment must be received by the CFHL Secretary/Treasurer within five (5) days.
14.04 A copy of the protest must be forwarded via fax/email to the President of the Member Minor Hockey Association team being protested against along with the team manager.
14.05 The Protest Fee shall be forfeited to the CFHL should the League President not uphold the protest.
14.06 The President’s decision shall be final in matters of protest.
By-Law 15 – Appeals
15.01 Any Member Minor Hockey Association, player, coach, manager or team shall have the right to appeal in regards to any decision of the Executive Committee, providing the following conditions are met:
a) An appeal is sent to the President within twenty four (24) hours of the decision of the Executive Committee outlining all reasons for said appeal.
b) All appeals must be accompanied with a non-refundable cheque in the amount of $200.00 payable to the CFHL and of which an Appeal Hearing shall be held within fourteen (14) days of the President receiving the appeal.
c) Appeals wishing to be heard within seven (7) days must be accompanied with a non-refundable cheque in the amount of $300.00 payable to the CFHL.
d) The President shall appoint an Appeal Board which shall consist of a Division Commissioner not involved in the original decision, Secretary/Treasurer and Referee-in-Chief. If a conflict of interest exists with any of these individuals the President will appoint another individual from the Executive.
e) All appeals can be transmitted by fax and/or email.
f) All rights of appeal available to the player or member must be exhausted before an appeal may be taken to the Appeal Committee.
g) An individual under suspension and who has an appeal filed on their behalf shall remain suspended until such time as the appeal process is completed.
h) Appeal Hearing Protocol:
i) The player or member has the opportunity to be present throughout the appeal hearing and shall have the opportunity to have anyone present with them to support them through the hearing.
ii) The game sheet and referee’s report will be available at the hearing and the referee in question shall be given the opportunity to be in attendance if possible.
iii) The player or member, or anyone representing them, has the opportunity to ask questions, within reason, of all people who provide evidence.
iv) Minutes of the Appeal hearing shall be recorded by the CFHL Secretary/Treasurer and maintained on file.
v) The Appeal Committee shall not be allowed to reduce any suspension to less than the minimum standards as set out in SHA Regulation 3.07.02 to those parties found guilty of the offense suspended for.
vi) The Appeal Committee shall render a decision in writing within forty eight (48) hours of the completion of the Hearing.
By-Law 16 – Recourse to the Saskatchewan Hockey Association
16.01 Any recourse to the Saskatchewan Hockey Association of any jurisdiction of any member, before all rights of appeal and all the rights of remedies of the Constitution and By-Laws of the CFHL shall have been exhausted, shall be deemed to be a violation and breach of these By-Laws, and a violation and breach of the League decisions, and shall result in the automatic indefinite suspension of such member from CFHL activities and games.
16.02 Any member team, manager, player, coach who has sought Saskatchewan Hockey Association action before exhausting all proper procedures of appeal will be liable for any expenses and disbursements incurred by the CFHL.
16.03 Until all expenses are paid, at the discretion of the President, the right of membership of the said party will be suspended.
16.04 Any team, manager, coach or player who having exhausted the appeals procedures within the CFHL and proceeds with an appeal to the Saskatchewan Hockey Association will be liable for all CFHL expenses which are incurred by the League as a result of said appeal to the Saskatchewan Hockey Association, should the SHA rule in favor of the League prior to reinstatement of said party’s membership with the CFHL.
By-Law 17 – Amendments to the By-Laws
17.01 The By-Laws may be amended by the submission of a notice of motion to the Secretary a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the CFHL Annual Meeting. The Secretary/Treasurer shall circulate said notices of motion to the members a minimum of fourteen (14) days prior to the Annual Meeting.
17.02 The giving of notice hearing may be waived by a two-thirds majority vote of those present and eligible to vote.
By-Law 18 – Winding Up
18.01 In the event of dissolution of the League, the assets, after payment of all liabilities, shall be divided in an equitable manner and donated to community or female sports activities as determined by the Board of Directors.
