Rules, Walter Gretzky House League Tournament (Brantford Minor Hockey Association)

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26th Annual Walter Gretzky
Recreational House League Tournament

January 2nd-3rd, 2026

Sanction #26-015

  1.  All rules and regulations are those of Hockey Canada, the Ontario Hockey Federation and Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario.

    These rules will also apply:
    •  Only arena personnel, referees, conveners and timekeepers are allowed in the area of the timekeeper’s box.
    •  Teams must have approved rosters available for Tournament Committee to review.  Affiliated players must first be approved before the Tournament before they can play. Teams without AP's there is a 2 player max.  except at the Goaltender Position. Affiliated goalies must be registered before the first game and may only play for one team in the tournament.
    • If both team have the same colour Jersey's the Visiting team will have to change. BMHA will provide alternate Jersey's
    •  Fighting majors, gross misconducts, and match penalties are automatic Tournament Suspensions.
    •  There is No Body Checking Allowed in any division.
    • 3 Minor Penalties results in a game ejection (double minor only counts as 1, example a 4 minute head contact). 
    •   Except for the first game of the day,  teams Must Be Ready To Start Their Game 15 Minutes Before the scheduled game time.
    •   Buffers have been built into the schedule and games will start early when possible.
    •   All teams must be ready to go on the ice once the ice re-surface door is shut.  The time-keeper will start  the two-minute warm-up.  
    •   Following the warm-up  the referee will ask both teams to line up immediately for the opening face-off. 
    •   At the completion of each game both teams will shake hands then line up on their blue line for the presentation of game Player of the Game awards.
    •   Each team will choose the Player of the Game from their own team and present it to the Referee. Try to avoid duplicating recipients  

  2.  Game Lengths and Special Circumstances

    •  All round-robin and ¼ final games in U11 (Atom) and U13 (Peewee) will consist of 10-10-12 minute periods.
    • All round-robin and ¼ final games in U15 (Bantam) and U18 (Midget) will consist of 10-10-15 minute periods. 
    •  All semi-final and championship games in U11 and U13 will consist of 10-10-15 minute periods.  
    •  All semi-final and championship games in U15 and U18 will consist of 10-15-15 minute periods.  

    • NO Time Out in Round Robin Play.

    • One time-out per team is allowed in all Quarter, Semi and Final games only.

    • In the event of a 5-goal differential in the 3rd period the clock shall run until the differential is 3-goals.  2-minute penalties will be noted on the clock as 3 minutes during running time.  (There will be no run-time in Semi-Finals and Finals)

    • A Maximum 7 goals differential will be reported in the Standings. (e.g. Game score was 12-3, the posted score will be 10-3) 


  3.  Round Robin Play and Play-off Formats

  • U11: TBD based on number of teams registered

    U13: TBD based on number of teams registered

    U15: TBD based on number of teams registered

    U18: TBD based on number of teams registered

     

    Standings

    • Two Points for a Win and 1 Point for a Tie
    •  In the case of two teams tied in points after the Round Robin, the tiebreaker system shall be as follows in the order shown:
      • Two (2) teams Tied
        •  Head to Head winner in the Round Robin will advance
        •  Team with most wins
        •  Best Percentage based on (total goals for) divided into (total goals for and total goals against).  Highest percentage advances.
        •  If teams are still tied, the team with the least total of Penalty Minutes after the Round Robin games will advance.
        •  If still tied, team with the fastest time of their first goal head to head.
        • If still tied, team with the fastest time of their first goal scored of Tournament according to Game Sheet will advance.
        • Coin toss

      • Three (3) or more teams tied in points after Round Robin play, the tiebreaker system will be as follows until required number of teams to advance are achieved in the order shown:
        •  The team (or teams if necessary) with the Best Percentage based on (total goals for) divided into (total goals for plus total goals against) will advance first.
        • Head to Head winner in Round Robin
        •  Team with most wins
        • If teams are still tied, the team with the least total of Penalty Minutes after the Round Robin games will advance.
        • If still tied, team with the fastest time of their first goal head to head.
        • If still tied, team with the fastest time of their first goal scored of Tournament according to Game Sheet will advance.
        • Coin toss

  •   Sudden Victory Play-off Overtime Format:

    •  Clock to be set for 99 minutes, stop time.
    •  3 on 3 until game is decided
    •  Player changes can be made at any time during the play and goaltenders can be pulled
    •  Penalties will carry over from Regulation Time to Overtime
    •  If a penalty occurs and not able to complete the full time served during Regulation time, it carries over to the Overtime
    •  The non-offending team will start the Overtime 4 on 3 and this and any other penalty when completed will only revert to 3 on 3 on the first stoppage.

  • Protests and Video Review
    There will be NO protests during the tournament. Game Misconducts, Major and Match penalties will not be reviewed by the tournament staff, these are handled by your governing body i.e. Alliance, OMHA, GTHL, etc.
  • Tournament staff will NOT review videos.

  •  In the case of any disputes, the Tournament Committee decision will be final.