2023 Provincial Rules and Regulations
- The official rulebook for the tournament will be the current version (2023) of the Canadian Ball Hockey Association (CBHA) rulebook. The current version of the AMBHA Tournament Rules & Regulations (this document) will govern other matters.
- All players MUST be registered in an AMBHA sanctioned league. All players and pickups must be eligible to play in the age group for which the teams are registered. A player may move to an older age group if desired, but no play may ever play in a younger category. AMBHA will monitor the rosters and/or pickups of all teams entered.
- Any team or player caught falsifying registration information or documents, will default all games at the Provincials and face further disciplinary action from the AMBHA and their home league. Any team caught using an illegal player(s) will default all games at the tournament
- *NEW* All leagues must maintain age verification (drivers licence/birth certificate) for all players within their association. A member shall be designated as the holder of said information. If a dispute arises regarding the age of a player, the appropriate document MUST be provided or the team will default all their games. Coaches MUST have a vulnerable sector and PIC check completed to be on the bench for AMBHA Provincials. AMBHA Member leagues will manage all PIC information.
- Players can only be registered and play for one (1) team during the tournament. No inter-tournament pickups will be allowed.
- All coaches are expected to review the rules, and contact the AMBHA for any clarification before their first game. Contact information will be handed out at the Coaches Meeting.
- Age groups for the 2023 event will be:
- U18 - 2005, 2006, 2007 born players
- U15 - 2008, 2009 born players
- U13 - 2010, 2011 born players
- U11 - 2012, 2013 born players
- U9 - 2014, 2015 and younger born players
- All coaches will be expected to report to the tournament desk of the assigned arena, one-half hour before the scheduled game start time to pick up and fill out game sheets. The home team should fill out the game sheet first and then return it back so that visitors have ample time to do the same.
- All players must serve any outstanding suspensions from league play prior to playing at Provincials. The gamesheet must be marked with any suspensions to be considered served.
- A maximum of 25 players can be on a tournament roster. Each team is also permitted up to 5 bench staff. Bench staff MUST be listed on all gamesheets. Goaltenders will be allowed to dress as a player and vice-versa.
- *NEW* The VISITING team will be responsible to change jerseys if there is a conflict in colors … Alberta Minor Ball Hockey Association suggests that each team has 2 sets of jerseys. Any jersey conflicts need to be discussed at the Coaches Meeting.
- All games will be 2 - 20 minute stop-time periods, with a 2 minute break at half. If the score differential is 7 goals (+), the clock will then change to running time, if the game becomes a six-goal difference again then we will revert back to stop time. In playoffs, a seven-goal spread will result in the game ending. For the purposes of tiebreakers, a MAXIMUM of 7 goal differential will be permitted.
- There will be no overtime in round-robin. Teams get 2 points for win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for loss. Overtime in the playoff rounds or medal games will be sudden-victory overtime. In overtime, periods will be 10 minutes in duration. The first overtime period will be 5v5. The second will be 3v3. If the game remains tied, a shootout will decide the winner. OVERTIME MAY BE SHORTENED IF RINK TIME DOES NOT ALLOW
- Any player receiving a fighting major or match penalty will be suspended for the rest of the Provincials
- All suspensions will be reviewed by tournament disciplinary committee. Any appeals will be dealt with by the tournament disciplinary committee, which will be made up of one representative from each of the attending Provincial leagues and chaired by the AMBHA Referee-in-chief or his assistant. The size of the committee may vary based on the year, however a minimum of three members is required.
- In the event that 2 or more teams are tied at the end of the round-robin play, the following procedure will be used to break tie:
- Greatest number of wins;
- Head to head record in the round robin if all teams have played each other equally
- Best goal differential in games between the tied teams, if they have played each other equally
- Best goal differential in all tournament games
- Fewest Goals Allowed in all tourney games *NEW*
- Fewest Penalty Minutes
- Coin Toss *NEW*
Note: for plus/minus ratios, a team cannot achieve more than +7 goals in any one game
- Any protests must be in writing and handed to the AMBHA within 30 minutes of completion of the game in question. Protests must in writing and be accompanied with a $100 processing fee.
- All players MUST have shin guards. Shin guards are no longer required to be covered.
- A maximum of 20+2 players will be allowed to be in uniform on the bench. Teams may dress 2 goalies and no more than 20 runners (forwards/defensemen). We recommend that teams dress 2 goalies. Rosters cannot exceed 25 players and 5 bench staff.
- A goalie that is replaced during a game may play out for remainder of that game, as long as he/she has proper equipment to play out and their team does not exceed 20 runners.
- Team officials are responsible for ensuring that dressing rooms are left neat and tidy. The coaches should check before each game and after each game to ensure everything is in order and report any problems to facility staff. Teams will be fined or suspended if the dressing rooms are left in a complete mess after use. Teams will be responsible for any damage caused by their team.
Minimum Suspensions
Major Penalty + GM 1 Game Minimum Suspension
Game Misconduct 1 Game Minimum Suspension
Gross Misconduct 3 Game Minimum Suspension
Fighting Suspended from tournament
Match Penalty Suspended from tournament
Ineligible Player Forfeit All Games player used + head coach suspended *NEW*
Please note the AMBHA reserves the right to assess additional suspensions at any time based on the severity of the incident
