MGHL

 

Constitution of

McMurray Gentlemen?s Hockey League

Table of Contents

 

Article 1          Name

 

Article 2          Membership

 

Article 3          Executive Committee

 

Article 4          Powers and Duties of Committee

 

Article 5          Funds

 

Article 6          Disbursement

 

Article 7          Meetings

 

Article 8          Constitution Amendments

 

Article 9          Disciplinary Committee & Process

 

Bylaws            1 - 10

 

 

ARTICLE 1

 

Name

 

The McMurray Gentlemen’s Hockey League (MGHL), Fort McMurray, Alberta

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2

Membership

 

Membership in the McMurray Gentlemen’s Hockey League shall be limited to registered players, coaches, managers, trainers as well as the Executive Committee consisting of the President, Vice-President, Secretary Treasurer, Statistician, Web Master and Referee-in-Chief.

 

ARTICLE 3

Executive Committee

 

The McMurray Gentlemen?s Hockey League shall be under the management of a committee and consisting of:

 

1. President                                             elected annually
2. Vice-President                                    elected annually
3. Secretary Treasurer                             elected annually
4. Webmaster                                          volunteered or designated by President
5. Referee-in-Chief                                 designated by Referees Association
6. Disciplinary/Appeals Committee        President, VP, Webmaster, Referee-in-Chief & 1 Team Rep

    

   ARTICLE 4

   Powers and Duties of Committee

    

   1.      Hold an annual meeting prior to commencement of each season to conduct all business including the establishment of fees.

   2.      Hold a general membership as required to conduct business including the establishment of Club/League Bylaws.

   3.      The Executive Committee shall have the power to rule on matters not specifically provided for in this constitution.

    

    

    

    

    

    

   Responsibilities - President

1. Chair all meetings.
2. Call a specific meeting any time it is required.
3. Lead all disciplinary meetings, reviews and appeals processes.
4. Render discipline as required.
5. Attend and represent the League at meetings pertaining to the Ice Allocation for the Municipalities Arenas.
6. Review schedule produced by webmaster for errors

 

Responsibilities - Vice President

1. To act as President when required.
2. Review League schedule produced by Webmaster for conflicts and double bookings.
3. Record and distribute League meeting minutes to Executive and League Team representatives.
4. Sit/participate on the Disciplinary Committee.

 

Responsibilities - Secretary Treasurer

1. Deposit all funds in the bank.
2. Make disbursements by cheque only.
3. Keep the following records:
   1. Cash book
   2. Purchase Invoices
   3. Bank accounts & statements

 

Responsibilities - Web Master

1. Manage all Team Standings and player/goalie statistics for the League.
2. Track for the purposes of the goodwill clause in Bylaw #5, penalty points as outlined by the Bylaw and apply appropriate penalties to Team Standings.
3. Sit/participate on the Disciplinary Committee.
4. Update League web site with all information pertinent to League members such as schedule, stats, photos, meeting information, sponsor links, etc?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5

Funds

 

1.      All cheques must be signed by at least 2 of the following Executive: President, Vice-President or Treasurer.

2.      Should any team fail to comply with the request for funds, said team shall be deemed to have voluntarily withdrawn from the League.

 

ARTICLE 6

Disbursement

 

1.      League funds shall be under the control of the League Executive.

2.      Monies will be paid to the League by teams and shall be used as directed by the Executive Committee.

 

ARTICLE 7

Meetings

 

1.      All meetings shall be conducted in a manner as follows:

a.       Minutes

b.      Financial Statement

c.       Old Business

d.      Reports of Committee

e.       New Business

f.       Adjournment

 

2.      At any meeting a Quorum shall consist of four (4) separate Team representatives, plus two (2) Executive members. One Executive member may vote to break a tie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 8

Constitution Amendments

 

1.      Any amendments to the Constitution (Articles 1-8) shall be by way of motion at an annual meeting at least 1 meeting in advance of the date that the motion is voted upon.

2.      Any Bylaw amendments shall by way of motion at the 1^st Annual Meeting of the season and/or last meeting of the season (usually April), by Teams accepted into the League as dues paying members, prior to the commencement or completion of League play.

 

 

Bylaw #1

 

a)      Hockey Canada rule book shall be used to govern League play. League Bylaws will take precedence over Hockey Canada guidelines if there is any conflict.

 

Bylaw #2

 

a)      Registration fees to be collected annually and payable minimum 2 weeks prior to commencement of League play. Date is set by League Executive Committee.

b)      Registration fees to be payable by certified cheque, money order or cash in the amount specified by the Executive Committee.

c)      Any team failing to pay fees in full, as per sub (a) shall render the said team ejected from the League, with no refund for monies paid to date.

 

Bylaw #3

 

a)      All players must be signed (carded) for insurance purposes.

b)      All teams may sign only a maximum of twenty-five (25) players. Initial team Rosters must be submitted at the time of registration. Players must be added to this list before they participate in any games. A phone call or e-mail to League Executive will suffice for new player additions (name, address, phone number and date-of-birth is required for the insurance form). Rosters are to be finalized and frozen by the 1^st week of January each year. If after rosters have been submitted, players wish to join the League, only prior approval of the Executive Committee and having a signed insurance card, will they be allowed to participate?

c)      All League members must be signed to a players card as per Bylaw 3 (a,b) or they will be considered illegal and said team subject to forfeiture of games.

d)     All teams will be supplied with list of Team by Team rosters.

e)      Games that are played with illegal players will be all defaulted from the game in question and forward. To dispute or protest the game based on illegal player, it must be done during the game by letting the referee know you are playing under protest:

     i.   Informing the referee(s) of the protest before the conclusion of the game.

     ii.  Additionally Within 48 hrs. of the game being played, an official protest to the League President or Vice President must be lodged via e-mail. The complaint will be followed up and a ruling/judgment issued in a timely fashion.

e) No player shall be on a team roster unless they are 18 years of age or older. Any player wishing to play that is less than 18 years of age, must sign a waiver form releasing the League from any liability. Form will be provided by League.

f)  All registered players are allowed to play any position, this includes goaltenders.

g) Any changes to Team Representatives must be communicated to League Executive. This ensures timely sharing of League information forwarded from League Executive Committee.

h) Players are only permitted to play for one team in the league, (Exception Goal Tenders) *During playoffs goaltenders may only play up a division, A division goaltenders cannot play in the B,C,D divisions for playoffs * all players who play on teams which they are not on the team’s active roster will be suspended for three games. The team which allows the illegal player on the ice will be fined 100.00 and will forfeit the game.

i) Players who would like to be released from a team must do so in writing to the league executive once the season starts explaining what team they are looking to leave and what time team they would like to join. Players will not be permitted to play for another team without the approval of the league executive.

j) Forfeits do not count towards game played in an eligibility dispute.

 

Bylaw #4

 

a)      Suspensions given for sections Bylaws #5 will be the responsibility of the League President. Any penalties incurred for sections Bylaws (6) & (7) will be reviewed and rendered by the Disciplinary Committee, as laid out in Article 3 (7). The President will pass on the decision to the Team Representative for the player in question.

b)      The Disciplinary Committee shall have further authority to overrule a suspension length at any time during the season.

c)      Appeals for any suspensions must be made within 48 hrs. of decision to League President. All appeals will be formally heard by the Disciplinary Committee. Any decision on appeal by the Disciplinary Committee is to be considered final.

d)   Any Player who plays while under a suspension will be suspended for a minimum of 10 additional games, in addition the team will forfeit the game and be fined 100 dollars by the league.

 

 

 

Bylaw #5

 

 

a)      Major - Any major within the last 10 minutes of a game automatically is suspended for the remainder of game being played, plus one additional game. Further review by Disciplinary Committee of this penalty may occur pending recommendation from Referee-in-Chief.

b)   All Major Penalties (5:00 or More) issued during game play will be an automatic 5 game suspension, appeals can be made in writing to the league president. Referee's discretion of the play in question will be considered before any reduction of suspension by the league.

d)      Three (3) minor penalties rule,  if a player receives three (3) minor penalties during a game, said player will be ejected for the remainder of the game.

e)   Fighting - at the referee’s discretion: The referee will indicate on the score sheet his recommendation to the Disciplinary Committee to consider with respect to length of suspension:

 

a)      Two (2) willing combatant(s) five (5) minute major and a game misconduct.

         If fight occurs within the last ten (10) minutes of the game an additional one (1) game suspension will be applied.

b)     One sided fight will be at the referee’s discretion with a minimum of one (1) game to a maximum of a lifetime suspension from the MGHL and all associations associated with the MGHL depending on the severity of the altercation.

c)      Any gross misconducts will be assessed a minimum five (5) games to a maximum of a lifetime suspension from the MGHL and all associations associated with the MGHL depending on the severity of the altercation.

d)     All suspensions exceeding 5 games will be reviewed by the MGHL executive, the referee and chief and the officials refereeing the game at the time.

e)      All appeals for any suspension will be subject to a $100 dollar deposit.  If the appeal is successful the full deposit will be refunded.  If the appeal if unsuccessful you will forfeit your deposit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bylaw #6

 

a)      Match Penalties - Automatic 5 game suspension minimum, plus a fine of $10 per game suspended to a maximum of $100.  A longer suspension may result depending on the Referees incident report and review by the Disciplinary Committee.

 

Bylaw #7

 

a)      Match Penalties on Officials or Abuse of Officials will result in Expulsion from League for a minimum of 1 calendar year from the date of suspension

Rule 71 in the Hockey Canada Official Rule book? Is the most severe penalty in the rulebook.  The following is a list of procedures and guidelines that should be followed when making this judgment: 

1.   Ensure the match penalty is properly recorded on all copies of the game sheet.  After the game, keep the white copy of the game sheet. 

2.   Make sure the number and name of player(s) are correct and legible on the game sheet.

3.   Referees will make a few notes on the incident at the arena before you leave (while things are still fresh in your mind).

4.   Phone MGHL League President/Referee-in-Chief as soon as possible after the incident.  It is imperative that we speak within 12 hours of the incident.

5.   Prepare a detailed description of the incident in an e-mail and forward to Referee-in-Chief and/or MGHL League Executive.

6.   E-mail or deliver the report with the game sheet to Referee-in-Chief or MGHL League Executive and confirm with a follow up phone call to ensure all the details have been received and clear up any questions at that time, all within 24 hours of the incident.

7.   Make yourself available for a hearing, if one is necessary.

8. Discipline Committee of the Referee-in-Chief, League President, Vice President, Statistician & 1 Team Rep (preferably a Team Rep playing outside of division of incident under review) shall review the said incident and render decision upon investigation. Suspension decisions will take into account the circumstances of the incident in question. Use of Hockey Canada as a guide to determining suspension severity as well as any other information pertaining to similar or like incidents in Canada.

Here are the rules pertaining to a Match Penalty on an Official:

Rule 71

(a)  Any player or team official who intentionally touches holds or pushes a Referee, Linesman, or Off-ice Official: before, during or after a game shall be assessed a Match penalty and shall be reported to the President by the Referee.

(b)  Any player or team official who deliberately strikes, trips or body checks a Referee, Linesman, or Off-ice Official; before, during or after a game shall be assessed a Match Penalty and shall be reported to the President by the Referee.  Such player or team official may be suspended for one year or more.

(c)  Any player or team official who threatens or attempts to strike a Referee, Linesman, or any Off-ice Official; before, during or after a game shall be assessed a Match penalty and shall be reported to the President by the Referee.

Rule 80

• A Match penalty shall be assessed any player or team official who deliberately spits on or at: an opponent, official, team official or spectator.  The referee shall report full details of the incident to the President.

   

  Bylaw #8

   

  a)      Games shall consist of two (2) thirty (30) minute periods of straight time. * Regular season

  b)      Stop time? If the goal spread in the third period is two (2) goals or less, with 5 minutes or less remaining, the clock will be stopped with each whistle and re-started at resumption in play for the remainder of the game. Once stop time is instituted, it shall remain for the duration of the game, regardless of the goal spread between the teams.

  c)      A team must dress a minimum 6 skaters and a goalie to start the game and must complete the game with the required minimum for the game to be deemed officially played and not in default? Or forfeit. If a team cannot dress the minimum required number of players for an official game to be played, a game forfeit/default will result.

  d)     All players playing the game must be on the game sheet in order to play. Players may enter the game at any point but must be entered on the game sheet at the point in time they join the game. PLAYERS NOT IN ATTENDANCE MUST NOT BE ENTERED AS HAVING PLAYED ON THE OFFICAL GAMESHEET. Referees are to check the game sheet for the # of players dressed vs. # of players shown on game sheet. If discrepancy exists, game will be stopped until rectified.

   

   

   

   

  Bylaw #9

   

  a)      Performance Bond

• The performance bond is a $200 bond paid as part of the registration fees that will be returned or kept on Teams following the below expectations. It could be all, some or none at all for refund.

                      i.            Default Game any team forfeiting/defaulting a game will be assessed penalties of the loss of two (2) points in the standings and a $25 fine.

                    ii.            Missed League Meeting Missed meetings by a team will be a loss of one (1) point in the standings and a $15 fine.

                  iii.            The failure of the winning team to e-mail the game score result to the League statistician will be fined $5 per missed game score.

                  iv.            The failure of a Team to supply a complete Team roster by the regular October League meeting will be fined $30, plus additional $5 for every week thereafter.

                 v.       Teams who forfeit more than 5 games during the regular season will be deemed in-eligible to participate in the playoffs for that year.

   

  Bylaw #10

   

  a)      Registered players are required to play a minimum of 10 games for eligibility to play in League Playoffs. Game sheets are the official record for games played. Players not recorded on game sheets shall be deemed not to have played in the game.

  b)  Games played must be actual games, players will not receive credit forfeits. If player eligibility is in question it must be brought up to the executive. Decision will be at the discretion of the executive after reviewing game sheets. Exceptions are if a player was seriously injured during the season and unable to participate in a majority of the regular season they may play playoffs if, 1 - an insurance claim was filed with the league. 2- Doctors note showing severity of the injury and the expected return to play

  c) The Executive has the right to enforce any and all roster issues and will be the deciding factor in player eligibility for both league play and playoffs.