U9 Half-Ice Tournament Rules

Game Format

The U9 Half-Ice Hockey Two-Team Game Play Model will be used for the tournament.

Two teams will play simultaneously in two half-ice games. Each team will be divided into two units, with one unit playing in each half of the rink.

Each team must dress two goaltenders, with one goaltender assigned to each half-ice game.

Playing Rules

• Games will be played 4-on-4 in each half-ice playing area.
• Each team must have one goaltender in each half-ice area.
• A 3-minute warm-up will take place before each game.
• A blue puck will be used.
• The centre-ice line is not in play; therefore, there is no icing.
• Blue lines are not in play; therefore, there are no offsides.
• No score will be kept.

Rink Set-Up & Game Time

• Boards or barriers will be placed along the centre red line, dividing the rink into two half-ice playing areas.
• Games will be 44 minutes, consisting of two 22-minute periods.
• Shifts will be 90 seconds.
• An automatic buzzer will signal each line change.
• The main score clock will keep time for both games simultaneously.
• The home team will defend the ends of the rink.
• The visiting team will defend the centre-ice nets.
• Teams will share the player benches. Each team will use the bench gate closest to the net it is defending.
• Both half-ice games will be synchronized.
• Officials will work together to maintain synchronized play.

Two face-offs will take place during the game:

1. One to begin the game.
2. One to begin the second period.

Player Changes

When the buzzer sounds, players must immediately relinquish control of the puck and leave the ice. The next group of players may then enter the ice.

Failure to immediately relinquish the puck, or players entering the ice prematurely, may result in a penalty to the offending team.

If fewer than four players are available on the bench, any active player designated to remain on the ice for the next shift must tag up at the bench before continuing play.

Change of Possession

Goaltender Freezes the Puck

When a goaltender freezes the puck:

• The official will blow the whistle.
• The attacking team must back away.
• The defending team will be given possession of the puck.
• Play will resume once the attacking team has provided sufficient space.

Puck Shot Out of Play

When the puck is shot out of play:

• The offending team must back away.
• The official will provide the non-offending team with a new puck.
• Play will resume with the non-offending team in possession.

Penalties

Minor penalties will be indicated by the official briefly raising their arm.

At the conclusion of the shift, the official will advise the coach of the infraction and the number of the offending player.

If the offending team has possession of the puck following the infraction, the official will stop play and call for a change of possession. The non-offending team will be provided sufficient room to play the puck.

The offending player will sit out the next shift. Both teams will continue to play at even strength.

Major Infractions

If an infraction occurs that would normally require a player to be ejected from the game, including a:

• Game Misconduct
• Match Penalty
• Gross Misconduct

the offending player will be removed for the remainder of the game. Any additional discipline will be administered in accordance with applicable NOHA and Hockey Canada rules and regulations.

CMHA Junior Friendly Tournament

Official Tournament Rules

1. Governing Rules

All applicable Hockey Canada, Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF), Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA), and Coniston Minor Hockey Association (CMHA) rules, regulations, and policies will apply.

CMHA will arrange and appoint game officials in accordance with applicable requirements.

The Tournament Committee will administer tournament-specific matters. Discipline and suspensions arising during the tournament will be administered in accordance with applicable Hockey Canada, OHF, and NOHA rules and policies.

2. Team Registration

All teams must register with the Tournament Committee at least 30 minutes before their first scheduled game.

Teams are responsible for ensuring that all participating players and team officials are properly registered and eligible to participate.

3. Rosters, HCR & Permits

All required Hockey Canada Registry (HCR) rosters, travel permits, and tournament permits, where applicable, must be available for verification.

Only properly registered and eligible players and team officials may participate.

4. Game Format

Unless otherwise specified for a particular division:

• Games will consist of three (3) 10-minute stop-time periods.
• During the third period, running time will begin when there is a four-goal differential.
• If the differential is reduced to three goals, the clock will return to stop time.
• The running-time rule does not apply to semi-final or championship games.

U9 games will be played in accordance with the applicable Hockey Canada U9 Game Play Model and CMHA U9 Tournament Rules.

5. Warm-Up

Teams will receive a 3-minute warm-up before each game.

The Tournament Committee may reduce the warm-up period when necessary to maintain the tournament schedule.

6. Ice Resurfacing & Team Readiness

Ice will be resurfaced following each game unless otherwise determined by the Tournament Committee.

Teams must be dressed and ready to play at least 15 minutes before their scheduled game time.

Games may begin earlier than the published time when the tournament is running ahead of schedule and both teams and officials are ready.

7. Round Robin Point System

Round robin standings will be determined using the following point system:

• Win — 2 points
• Tie — 1 point
• Loss — 0 points

8. NOHA Tie-Breaking Procedures

If two or more teams are tied at the conclusion of round robin play, the current NOHA Tie-Breaking Procedures will be used to determine final standings and advancement.

The Tournament Committee will apply the applicable NOHA procedure based on the number of teams tied.

Where there is any discrepancy between CMHA tournament rules and the current NOHA Tie-Breaking Procedures, the NOHA procedure will govern.

9. Semi-Final & Championship Overtime

If a semi-final or championship game is tied at the completion of regulation time, the tournament’s approved overtime procedure will be used.

Overtime will be played on a sudden-death basis, with the first team to legally score being declared the winner.

10. Jersey Colour Conflicts

If teams have jerseys of similar or conflicting colours, the Home Team will be responsible for changing jerseys, unless otherwise directed by the Tournament Committee.

Teams are encouraged to bring both light and dark jerseys when available.

11. Handshakes

Teams will participate in the traditional handshake before the start of the game.

Players and team officials are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship and respect toward opponents, officials, volunteers, arena staff, and spectators throughout the tournament.

12. Tournament Committee

The Tournament Committee is responsible for administering and interpreting CMHA tournament-specific rules.

Decisions regarding tournament administration and tournament-specific matters are final, subject to any applicable rights or procedures established by Hockey Canada, OHF, or NOHA.

13. Discipline & Suspensions

Fighting, abusive behaviour, maltreatment, discriminatory behaviour, abuse of officials, and deliberate attempts to injure will not be tolerated.

Penalties, misconducts, and suspensions will be administered in accordance with applicable:

• Hockey Canada Playing Rules
• OHF Minimum Suspension List
• OHF regulations and policies
• NOHA regulations and policies

Any player or team official assessed an infraction carrying a suspension must serve the applicable suspension as required by the governing rules.

Where permitted by applicable rules and policies, the Tournament Committee may remove a participant from further tournament participation when necessary to maintain the safety, integrity, and orderly operation of the tournament.

14. Time-Outs

Each team will be permitted one (1) one-minute time-out during semi-final and championship games only.

Time-outs are not permitted during round robin games.

Sportsmanship & Respect

The CMHA Junior Friendly Tournament is intended to provide players with a safe, positive, respectful, and enjoyable hockey experience.

All players, coaches, team officials, parents, and spectators are expected to demonstrate appropriate sportsmanship and respect toward players, coaches, team officials, on-ice officials, tournament volunteers, arena staff, and spectators.

CMHA reserves the right to address inappropriate conduct in accordance with applicable CMHA, NOHA, OHF, and Hockey Canada policies.