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MT. SINAI YOUTH HOCKEY CLUB
Club Rules and Policies
These rules are an addendum to the Mt. Sinai Youth Hockey Club
Bylaws and are reviewed annually. They do not remove any
responsibility to conform to other entities that regulate youth
hockey such as USA Hockey, the New York State Amateur Hockey
Association, or the Suffolk County High School Ice Hockey League.
Where a conflict arises, the more stringent regulation shall be
followed, until the Club General Manager renders clarification.
SECTION I MEMBERSHIP
101
Membership Definition (from Bylaws)
“ Active Member
An active member
is (1) a parent, step-parent, guardian, or other person who pays at
least one dollar toward the fee of any child participating in the
youth hockey programs operated by the Mt. Sinai Youth Hockey Club,
or (2) any other interested person who pays a membership fee of ten
dollars. The term of membership is the fiscal year of the
association. Funds contributed to Mt. Sinai Youth Hockey Club as
part of a fund raising activity do not entitle the contributor to
the benefits of membership.”
SECTION II
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
201
Expulsion (from Bylaws)
“ Expulsion
An
active member maybe expelled, after due notice and opportunity for a
hearing, for conduct detrimental to the organization, by the vote of
two thirds of the board of governors. The secretary shall provide
at least ten days notice to the person to be expelled and to the
members of the board prior to the regular or special meeting at
which the matter is to be resolved. The person shall be offered an
opportunity to be heard at that meeting and to present others to
testify, prior to any final disposition by the board. Reasons for
expulsion include but are not limited to failure to meet financial
responsibilities, failure to meet participatory responsibilities,
failure to comply with USA hockey, Suffolk County High School Hockey
League and organization regulations, and codes of ethics. Members
shall not expect to receive refunds of dues or participatory fees
pro-rated or otherwise in case of injury or any other reason.“
202
Suspension -
A player or member may be suspended from club
activities for an amount of time decided by the Governing Board (for
members / players), Head Coach (for players). For a player, this
may range as follows:
1. Miss one shift on ice in a game situation, or sit
out a practice drill.
2. Miss one period in a game situation.
3. Miss one game or practice.
4. Miss more than one game or practice.
203
Progressive Discipline - In an effort to reduce repeat
offences of the club rules, progressive discipline methods will be
used.
e.g. First offense - miss one period play
Second offense - one game suspension
204
Board Review - Certain
violations of team rules may result in a review of the incident by
the Board of Governors. Before any decision is made or action is
taken, the member under review shall have opportunity to address the
Governing Board.
205
Request for Board Review -
If a member believes they have been treated in a way that is
cavalier, or unfair, they may request a Governing Board review by
submitting their request in writing to any member of the Board. The
request should include a brief overview of their complaint or
concern. The Board may choose to find a solution acceptable to all
parties, without board review.
SECTION III FEES
301
Participation Fees
- Participation Fees are determined by
the number of players committed to the rosters, and obligatory debts
of the Organization. Fee schedules are determined by the Board, and
communicated to members and interested parties prior to the start of
the season.
(a)Scheduled Payment
- Failure of a member to meet the payment schedule, may result in
player suspension or expulsion from the club as per Rule 201.
(b) Unpaid fees at Separation
- If a player leaves the club for any reason, membership shall not
be renewed until all past due balances are received in full. In
addition, the SCHSHL, and USA Hockey shall be notified to prevent
such player from playing elsewhere until obligations are met.
SECTION IV PLAYERS RESPONSIBILITY
It is recognized that members must
keep perspective, and other life areas must take precedence over
sport. We recognize the following as having a greater priority:
Religion Family Health Education
Employment
401
Player Participation -
Participation of players in all events including meetings,
practices, and games is important to the operation and viability of
the club. Players need practice to improve personal and team
skills. When players do not attend games, their team may become
demoralized. They may also have to play through exhaustion on a
short bench. Players must attend all events on a timely basis in
order that coaches and players can be prepared for, and perform
satisfactorily in the event.
(a) Late For Game / Practice -
Players shall be dressed and ready
to play at least 15 minutes before the start of a game or practice.
Players expecting to be late with good reason shall notify the
coaching staff at least 2 hours before event time. Failure to do so
may result in progressive discipline.
(b) Absence
-Players who are not able to attend a meeting, game, or practice
with good reason, shall notify the coaching staff as soon as
possible and not less than 3 hours prior to the event. Players not
making adequate notification shall be considered absent without
excuse. Failure to do so will result in progressive discipline.
402
School Grades - A primary
function of this organization is to compete as representatives of
local school districts; and the education of our community’s youth
is of greater importance than sport. If any player is achieving
failing grades, the team will endeavor to help in this area. If the
parent / guardian and the organization are not able to resolve this
problem, the player must be removed from the play roster until
improvement is shown.
403
Performance - Players are
expected to perform to the best of their ability at all games and
practice sessions. They must further come prepared to give a full
effort for their team. This requires them to care for themselves
properly with an adequate diet, proper rest, and regular exercise.
Players who do not show effort hurt the entire team.
404
Leaving a Game or Practice -
Occasionally a player may find it
necessary to leave a practice or game prior to its completion. When
this occurs, the player must notify a member of the coaching staff.
Players leaving a game or practice without making proper
notification will be subject to disciplinary action.
SECTION V PLAYERS CONDUCT
501
Insubordinate Behavior
-
Team officials, game officials, Board Members, and team captains
have responsibilities, which include directing players. This is a
necessary part of the sport and must be accepted for the good of the
team.
Any
player who refuses the directive of a team official, game official,
board member, or team captain in the course of their official duty
shall be subject to club disciplinary action in addition to any game
official or League actions. Examples are as follows:
1. Refusal to perform shift changes as directed by
coaching staff.
2. Refusal to take part in any preview
or active part of a practice or drill as directed by the coaching
staff or designated captain.
3. Refusal to perform team support
duties such as filling water bottles or gathering loose pucks at a
game or practice.
502
Abuse of Official -
A player who physically or verbally
abuses any game official, team official, Board Member, team captain,
or league official in the course of their official duty shall be
subject to club disciplinary action in addition to any League
action.
503
Abuse of Player -
A player who physically or verbally
abuses any member of their team or the Mt. Sinai Youth Hockey Club
shall be subject to club disciplinary action. Verbal abuse shall
include any taunting, derision, negative comments, foul language or
discouragement directed at any member. Physical abuse shall include
any fighting or intentional act to commit harm to a member.
504
Tobacco and alcohol -
possession and use of tobacco and
alcohol products at all club events is forbidden for players, and
strict disciplinary actions will be taken if this rule is violated.
505
Illegal Drugs and Paraphernalia -
possession and use of
illegal drugs and administration systems at all club events are
forbidden. Violations of this rule will result in disciplinary
action and report to any and all authorities having jurisdiction.
506
Weapons -
weapons designed for purposes, which
may be harmful to players or others, are not allowed at any club
events. Knives to be used for equipment maintenance must be
approved by the team Head Coach. Violations of this rule will
result in disciplinary action and report to any and all authorities
having jurisdiction.
507
Verbal Threats -
Verbal threats of harm to any person or
persons which are witnessed by or reported to team officials or the
Board, shall be investigated and reviewed for disciplinary action
and possible report to any and all authorities having jurisdiction.
508
Horseplay -
use of playing surfaces, locker rooms,
and equipment for unsupervised purposes other than that for which
they were designed, or to use them in an unsafe manner will result
in disciplinary action.
509
Borrowing -
Players who borrow equipment, money, or
other items from the club or any member shall make every effort to
return it in a reasonable time and condition or as otherwise
agreed. Violations shall be subject to board review.
SECTION VI PLAYERS GENERAL
601
Valuables - players should
not bring unnecessary valuable items into locker room areas. These
areas are often not as secure as they might be. If necessary, ask a
team official to find a secure place for your valuable. Mt. Sinai
Youth Hockey Club will not be responsible for lost or stolen items.
If a valuable is missing, make an immediate report to a team
official as well as a rink official so that a written report
can be made for recovery and or insurance purposes.
602
Pre-game Activities -
Pre-game on ice warm-ups are usually less than five minutes. In
this short time, players are expected to accustom themselves to ice
conditions. During this time, they warm-up their skating,
stickhandling, passing, and shooting skills. Invariably, there are
some who are adjusting equipment or stretching on the ice. Although
these are necessary, they should be accomplished prior to ice time.
603
Injury - Any player
sustaining an injury which causes him/her to leave the
game/practice, or as determined prudent by the head coach, must have
an incident report completed as soon as practical. This provides
necessary details for purposes including insurance claims. Results
of further treatment should be communicated to a team official if
possible.
604
Players on Medical Leave -
Any player who is injured and is not medically cleared to partake in
games and practices shall not be allowed on the ice during such
activities. All games and practices shall be considered “full
checking” and no player will be admitted unless able to fully
partake in such.
605
Return From Medical Leave -
No player shall be allowed to partake in any practice or game until
he is has proper written medical clearance.
606
Jewelry -
During on ice activities, players are
not to wear jewelry or ornamental body piercing, which may catch on
equipment and cause injury. Where removal is impractical, items
should be securely taped to the body.
607
On-Ice Protection - Players
shall wear fully approved protective equipment at all times on the
ice and players bench during games and practice sessions. Failure
to do so will result in disciplinary action.
SECTION VII GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
701
Abuse - Any Mt. Sinai Youth
Hockey Club member who physically or verbally abuses any member of
the Mt. Sinai Youth Hockey Club, game official, team official, Board
Member, League Official, spectator, or player on any team shall be
subject to club disciplinary action. Verbal abuse shall include any
taunting, derision, negative comments, foul language or
discouragement directed at any of the above. Physical abuse shall
include any fighting or intentional act to commit harm.
702
Verbal Threats -
Verbal threats of harm to any person or
persons which are witnessed by or reported to team officials or the
Governing Board, shall be investigated and reviewed for disciplinary
action and possible report to any and all authorities having
jurisdiction.
703
Gambling -
Any member found to have been engaged
in wagering on or soliciting a wager on the outcome of any
league game or tournament will be subject to expulsion.
704
On-ice authorization - No
team official, alumni, volunteer or member without team official
approval, current USA Hockey certification, and equipment where
required, shall be allowed to be on the ice surface during any Mt.
Sinai Youth Hockey Club game or practice session.
705
Team “Tryouts” - The Head
Coach will choose players for his assigned team. Tryouts are held
in early summer. Notification of tryout dates will be sent out via
E-mail to last season’s players who are eligible to return. General
postings will be made at rinks, schools, the team Website, and other
conspicuous locations. A fee for ice will be charged.
706
“Cuts”
- Players who are cut from a team may practice with the team to help
improve skills. They will be charged a pro-rated per practice fee
to cover insurance and practice ice cost. They may also opt to play
“out of district”. No “out of district” player may be added to a
roster if a district player has been cut.
707
“Out of district” Play
- Players in our district who cannot find a spot on the club roster
may still play for another school team. This is considered “out of
district” play. Freshman (developmental) players who are interested
in this option should inform the head coach or general manager. The
League and other teams will be informed of this decision and will
contact the interested player. If Mt. Sinai Youth Hockey Club is
unable to roster a team because of non-interest, efforts will be
made to have small groups of our district players “stay together”
and go to one team. Adjoining districts usually have preference in
acquiring our players. JV and Varsity players who are interested in
“out of district” play will have to demonstrate their skills in a
league conducted exhibition and players draft.
708
Players Release -
In order for a player to play on a club
which represents a school district other than his own, a player
release must be obtained. This is simply a letter from the club
general manager to authorize the action. Although some clubs
require a “release” for a player to play in two leagues
simultaneously, this is not a requirement of Mt. Sinai Youth Hockey
Club.
709
Team Captains -
Captains are chosen at the discretion
of the head coach. The primary function of the captain is to
approach the game officials for an explanation of some rule or
action during a game. Only a captain or his alternate are permitted
this privilege. The head coach will consider knowledge of game
rules, temperament, and responsibility when choosing captains.
In
addition to on-ice responsibilities during games, the captain or his
alternate has responsibility for the following:
1. Must study and have good knowledge of the playing
rules.
2. Conducts pre-game warm-up drills as directed by
coach.
3. Equitably assigns players to gather and retrieve
pucks after pre-game
warm-up, and leads players in other activities
as directed by coach.
4. Consult with coaching staff in matters of game
strategy and team concerns.
5. Assists team officials in making
telephone notifications.
709 Team Practice
- USA Hockey guidelines
recommend "at least two practices for every game". This standard is
difficult to maintain as a result of high ice cost and varied
interest in the sport. With full rosters and more than one team in
the club, it is easier to afford ice time. The ratio of league
clubs to rinks is high and it is difficult for inconsistent clubs to
maintain their ice slots. As a result, it is often necessary to
obtain practice ice at varied times and dates. Sharing ice with
other clubs is another option that is sometimes utilized. Off ice
practices may also be scheduled where practical.
710
Meetings
- Teams may schedule player and/or parent meetings during the season
to provide information, and/or deal with problems and concerns.
These will be held before games and at other convenient times where
possible. The Board will call for at least one meeting of the full
membership during the year.
711
Awards Event
- In the spring, the club holds an awards event. This is usually in
the form of a dinner at which members and players are recognized for
their achievements. The type of event is determined by available
funds and general interest.
712
Web Site
- The club currently operates a web site at
www.MustangsIceHockey.com. Important news and information will
be posted on this site, as well as team statistics. Along with
E-MAIL, this site will be used to communicate when possible to
eliminate time consuming phone calls and lost messages.
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