Games of the Greater Springfield Junior Amateur Hockey League (G.S.J.A.H.L.) shall be played under the rules of USA Hockey and Massachusetts Hockey.

Article 2.

On admission to the League, each Association will pay an entrance fee of $50.00 to the League Treasurer. Each member team will pay an annual assessment per team to be set at the start of each season by the Board of Directors and shall be due by November 1st of that season to cover League operational expenses for the current year.

Article 3.

Any unpaid charges for ice rental or officials fees that are incurred by a team in a regularly scheduled game because of forfeit, non-payment or failure to show, must be paid to the League Treasurer within 30 days upon receipt of the bill.

Article 4.

Charges for the officials and timekeeper shall be paid to the timekeeper prior to the start of each League game. When only one referee reports for a game, he shall receive one and one-half times the
normal fee.

Article 5.

(a) The games for Fall pre-high school Midget teams shall begin in September to allow for the required number of games to qualify for the District Play-downs. The evaluation games for all other divisions of the G.S.J.A.H.L. shall begin the second full weekend of October.

(b) The championship game for each division in the G.S.J.H.L. shall be concluded by the end of March.

(c) The Regular Season of the G.S.J.A.H.L. from the Mite A through the Bantam divisions shall begin the second full weekend of November and end in mid February. The Regular Season of the G.S.J.A.H.L. from the Mite A through the Bantam divisions shall consist of between twenty (20) and thirty (30) games.

(d) Games for the Mite through Pee Wee divisions shall be played on either Saturday or Sunday. Games of the Bantam divisions shall be played on either Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Games for the Midget division shall be played on Fridays and Sundays.

(e) The Evaluation Committee shall establish a team evaluation procedure to be followed before the start of evaluation games. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that a member association’s highest team at any age division shall play in the A division.

(f) Any team wishing to reschedule a game must notify the League Scheduler in writing thirty (30) days in advance. The rescheduling of games will be at the sole discretion if the League Scheduler if there is ice available to reschedule a game and if both teams consent to the request to reschedule the game.

(g) When a team gives written notice to the League Scheduler at least thirty (30) days in advance of a scheduled league game that the team wishes to forfeit the game, the League Scheduler shall cancel the referees and the time keeper assigned to the game. The forfeiting team and/or organization shall be responsible for payment of the full ice fee owed for the ice unless the League Scheduler is able to
schedule another league game in the ice slot. If a team gives written notice to the League Scheduler at least five (5) days and less than thirty (30) days in advance of a scheduled league game that the team wishes to forfeit the game, the forfeiting team shall also be responsible, in addition to the ice fee, for the cost of the referee(s) and time keeper. The League Scheduler shall notify the non-forfeiting team of the forfeit and the non-forfeiting team will automatically be awarded
the victory without having to show up for the game.

(h) G.S.J.A.H.L. games will take precedence over games of other leagues to which member teams belong except in the case of State Play downs and Championship Tournaments. A limit of 2 games
occurring in the same day will be allowed during the season. All cancellation of games including inclement weather shall be at the direction of the League Scheduler.

(i) If a team chooses not to attend a game due to inclement weather, the team’s Association shall have three (3) days to appeal to the Scheduler or Executive Board. This would allow time for the
Scheduler to determine whether other teams traveled to or from that area on the same day.

(j) Up to ten (10) No Play Dates for the Regular Season shall be turned in to the League Schudeuler three (3) weeks prior to the start of Regular Season games. Up to two (2) of the 10 No Play Dates may be used by a team for the evaluation games and shall be turned in to the League Scheduler two (2) weeks prior to start of evaluations. Up to three (3) No Play Dates for the Play Off Round shall be turned in to the League Scheduler by January 1st. The League Scheduler shall post the regular season schedule by December 1st.

(k) Any Association wishing to give ice to the League for League Games shall follow the rule of ½ game per team per week. Example: if you have 8 teams, you will give the League 4 game sheets of ice per week, for odd number of teams you will round up. If additional ice is needed for games, it will be the responsibility of the League Scheduler to contact the Associations to obtain this ice.

(l) The League Scheduler shall designate to the member associations prior to the start of the Regular Season all contracted ice times for league games. Before ice is secured from any source other than a League Association during one of the designated ice times, the League Scheduler shall inform the League Associations of the League’s ice needs and the League Associations shall by a majority vote, either approve or modify the League Scheduler’s plan to secure ice.

Article 6.

Substitutions for any teams for League Scheduled Games shall not be permitted. Teams scheduled must play their games.

Article 7.

Fall pre-high school Midget teams shall submit a roster of all eligible players to the District 6 registrar no later than September 15th. All other teams shall submit a roster of all eligible players to the District 6 Registrar by October 15. Failure to comply with this article may result in the offending team being omitted from the schedule.

Article 8.

Each Association shall submit an Association Registration Form listing all elected officers, ice coordinator and head coaches.

Article 9.

The District 6 Registrar shall be notified of any changes or additions to a team’s roster before such player can participate in a League Game.

Article 10.

Players shall not be added to a team’s roster or transferred to another team’s roster representing the same Association after January 15th except with the approval of the G.S.L. Board of Directors.

Article 11.

A player shall not be listed on more than one team roster in the G.S.J.A.H.L.

Article. 12.

(a) To field enough players for a game, any team may utilize a player from a lower classification in the same age group or any classification of a lower age group, from the same Association, to bring
the total number of skaters for the game, excluding goalies, to ten (10). Such players shall be listed on the game sheet and marked with an * using their legal name. Any such player from a lower
classification in the same age group or any classification of a lower age group, from the same Association, playing more than three games will become a permanent member of the team, unless doing so would leave the lower team with less than ten (10) skaters, excluding goalies.

(b) The three game limit may be waived for a player who is a goalie on either the upper or lower team upon written request to the President and written notification to the opposing teams in the
division. An upper team’s goalie shall not play on a lower team as a goalie if another lower team goalie is available from the same age bracket.

Article 13.

Mite Division IV (Novice (players age 7 & under)) shall play under the two minute whistle line change rule. All players except the goalie must be changed every two minutes. Division IV Novice (players age 7 and under) shall play cross ice games using small nets.

Article 14.

Games will start at the times designated in the published schedule. Games roster sheets shall be turned into the timekeeper prior to the start of play. Games for Midgets and Bantam level shall, if an eighty (80) minute block of ice is available, consist of three fifteen (15) minute “stop action” periods and shall conclude at the expiration of the game clock or upon the expiation of the available ice time, whichever occurs first. Games for all other divisions shall consist of three twelve (12) minute “stop action” periods. A game for all other divisions shall conclude: at the expiration the game clock; in the case of a sixty (60) minute sheet of ice, at the expiration of sixty (60) minutes as determined by an ice clock; or upon the expiration of the available ice time, whichever occurs first

Article 15.

Division age classifications shall follow those approved by USA Hockey.

Article 16.

In Mite Division IV (Novice) games, one helmeted coach from each team shall be permitted on the ice during League schedule games for the purpose of instruction only.

Article 17.

Three (3) fighting penalties in one season shall result in a one (1) year suspension from participation in League Games from the date of the third penalty and shall carry over to the following season. An
automatic hearing shall be scheduled for any player receiving a one (1) year suspension. Any disciplinary hearing shall follow the disciplinary procedures of Massachusetts Hockey.

Article 18.

Any player receiving three (3) penalties in a game, shall be removed from the remainder of that game only.

Article 19.

Game suspensions occurring in G.S.J.A.H.L. games must be served in the G.S.J.A.H.L. game immediately following, regardless of whether or not USA Hockey or Mass Hockey requires the suspension to be served in a non-league game. Coaches will be responsible to enforce this rule.
A coach or team official who allows the participation of an ineligible player in any game shall be subject to a three (3) game suspension.

Article 20.

A coach wishing to file a protest shall file his intention on the game sheet and notify the Chairman of the Protest Committee, the 2nd Vice President, within 48 hours to be followed up with a written report within seven (7) days accompanied by a $100.00 Protest Fee. The fee shall be payable to G.S.J.A.H.L. and shall be returned if the protest is upheld. If the protest is not upheld, the fee shall be applied to the league snow fund. All parties involved (coaches, referees, players) shall be notified of the meeting date, time and location. Any part not able to attend the hearing may send a letter stating their case. It would be beneficial for all parties to be present. All parties will be heard separately and a decision will be made by the committee.

Article 21.

FIVE (5) paying positions have been established by the G.S.J.A.H.L. The fee is to be set by the Board of Directors on an annual basis at the first meeting of the season based on the budget. Any person in a paying position may also serve in a non-paying position. In the event there are no candidates running for a particular Executive Board position, any person elected to an Executive Board position may volunteer to assume the duties, responsibilities and benefits associated
with another Board position. In any and all cases such an individual shall only have one vote regardless of the number of positions they assume. In the event that the President assumes an additional position, he/she may only vote as President. League Scheduler: The Ice Scheduler shall be responsible for obtaining ice and scheduling of all G.S.J.A.H.L. games. He shall also determine if any G.S.J.A.H.L. games are to be canceled because of adverse weather. This person may also serve in a non-paying position.

• League Statistician: This person shall keep all standings and penalties and post a copy at all the rinks.
• League Treasurer: This person shall deposit all funds, pay all bills and maintain accurate records of all League Financial transactions.
• League Secretary (record keeper): This persona shall keep all team records, rosters and registrations as well as minutes of all League meetings, notices of meetings, agenda for meetings and
  all League correspondence. This person shall all be responsible for scheduling and training of all League Timekeepers.
• Webmaster: This person shall be responsible for the development and maintenance of the website as well as posting schedules, schedule changes, rink information up to date.

Article 22.

A protest of a player: shall be made before the start of the third period of the game: shall require him/her to sign the game sheet in the presence of the timekeeper under the supervision of the referee; and will be compared to his or her signature on their USA Roster. If the protest is upheld, the offending team shall forfeit the game.

Article 23.

Teams shall not enter the player’s bench area prior to the zamboni leaving the ice. Failure to abide by this rule shall result in a bench minor penalty to be served at the start of the game.

Article 24.

Teams shall shake hands after the game. However, at the official’s discretion, the shaking of hands may be omitted to avoid any further problems on the ice.

Article 25.

Timekeeper Duties: Timekeepers shall be required to see that game sheets are mailed within one (1) days from the date of game to the statistician. Failure to do so may result in suspension of future assignments. The statistician shall notify the League Secretary in charge of timekeepers when game sheets are not received and she/he will notify the timekeeper. Games where timekeepers are assigned by the Association themselves (Greenfield, Pittsfield, and any others) will be required to give the League Secretary the name of the person responsible for submitting game sheets to the GSL prior to the start of the Evaluation Schedule, so that future problems concerning these groups can be resolved. If these groups fail to mail game sheets to the statistician within the required one (1) day period as required by GSL timekeepers, penalties shall be assessed by the GSL Board i.e. GSL will assign timekeepers, or any other penalty that GSL feels is necessary to encourage these Associations to conform with GSL By-Laws. Timekeepers shall collect game sheet and officials’ money prior to the start of the game. Timekeepers shall make sure that the head coach has printed his name on the game sheet prior to the start of the game. Timekeepers shall assist the referees by informing him of any player that has been given his “third penalty” in the game so that he shall be
removed from the game. Timekeeper shall insure that referees and coaches have signed the
game sheet at the end of the game and give the respective copies to each coach.

Article 26.

Amendments to these By Laws shall be made in writing to the League Secretary and submitted to the Board of Directors at least fourteen (14) days prior to the Board Meeting at which such amendments shall be approved or defeated by a two thirds Vote of the Board of Directors.

Article 27.

Any amendment to the By Laws previously defeated by the Board shall not be Brought before the Board for reconsideration for a minimum of two (2) years, unless a two thirds vote of the Board of Directors authorizes reconsideration. Any motion previously defeated by the Board shall not be brought before the Board for reconsideration for one calendar year, unless a two thirds vote of the Board of Directors authorizes reconsideration.

Article 28.

All meetings shall be conducted under Roberts Rules of Order. Also, Roberts Rules of Order shall be the default document, when applicable, if our Constitution or Bylaws fail to address a particular situation.

Revised & Approved April 28, 2009