Suspensions
The Hockey Saskatchewan Chair of Discipline has the ability to issue discipline for any action on and off the ice by any Hockey Saskatchewan registered participant that is not covered by Hockey Canada/Hockey Saskatchewan playing rules.
Disciplinary offenses on Game sheets for any sanctioned Hockey Saskatchewan game may only be altered with the approval of the Hockey Saskatchewan Chair of Discipline.
Executives for the SJHL, PJHL, Junior C and Female Junior Leagues address offenses occurring in exhibition, preseason, league and league playoff games, except for 11.4 and 11.5 offenses. The Executives of the Leagues will consult with the Hockey Saskatchewan Chair of Discipline for all 11.4 and 11.5 offenses.
Note: “Preseason” games are defined as those that involve two teams from the same league who play a game prior to Scheduled League play beginning. Preseason games must be scheduled through the League Executive.
“Exhibition” games are defined as those that involve two teams from different leagues prior to, or following the start, of League play.
5.09.01 Junior A/B
a) The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (Junior A) and the Prairie Junior Hockey League (Junior B) will follow the Minimum Suspension Guidelines of Hockey Canada as listed in Regulation 5.09.02.
b) The Minimum Suspension guidelines in Regulation 5.09.04 is the Minimum guideline for the application of a suspension of team members.
c) Leagues may extend the basic suspension(s); however, they shall not reduce the Hockey Canada Minimum guideline.
d) The game in which any of the penalties assessed fall under Hockey Saskatchewan Minimum Suspension guidelines, shall not be counted in the length of the suspension.
e) It is the responsibility of each team manager and/or coach to ensure the team member(s) sit out their appropriate suspensions. If in doubt as to the relevant suspension, contact the applicable League President.
5.09.02 Application Guidelines of Suspensions
a) Suspensions by Hockey Saskatchewan of any registered referee, player, coach, or team official may include a suspension that will not allow such suspended person to participate in the game of hockey in any capacity. The following guidelines apply:
i) The suspension from all aspects of hockey games apply to all suspensions issued for breach of the Hockey Saskatchewan Bylaws or Regulations, as well as all suspensions issued under Hockey Canada/Hockey Saskatchewan Playing Rule 2.2; 2.2 c); 11.2; 11.3; 11.4; 11.5 i), ii), iii) and iv).
ii) Unless specified otherwise, suspensions resulting from violation of Hockey Canada/Hockey Saskatchewan playing rules, would only suspend the referee, player, or team official from participating in the game of hockey in the capacity at which he/she received their suspension.
b) While a player or team official is serving their suspension, they may not participate with the Team in any capacity during games.
c) A suspended player cannot be present on the player’s bench however they are allowed in the team’s dressing room.
d) A suspended Team Official cannot be present in his/her team’s dressing room prior to, during, or following the game(s) they are suspended from or be on the player’s bench. Team Officials who violate this will be dealt with by the respective League Executive.
e) Suspensions cannot be served in Preseason, Exhibition, Cancelled or Forfeited Games and suspended players cannot play in Preseason or Exhibition games.
NOTE: Suspended players can participate in Preseason games prior to the Team’s roster being finalized and submitted to Hockey Saskatchewan.
f) Suspensions may only be served in regular scheduled league games, Hockey Saskatchewan playoff games or league playoff games and sanctioned tournaments where entry or scheduling is made prior to the suspension.
g) Suspensions for violations of the Hockey Canada/Hockey Saskatchewan rules and regulations must be served in the next game or games the player/team official participates in.
h) Suspensions for violation of league rules (i.e.: accumulation of penalty minutes; misconducts; game misconducts; fighting majors; CFB’s; HC’s; etc.) may be implemented at the League’s discretion.
i) Any suspension imposed upon any player, coach, or team official by the officials of any League or Association registered with Hockey Saskatchewan shall be given full recognition by Hockey Saskatchewan.
5.09.03 Record Keeping of Suspensions
All registered leagues under Hockey Saskatchewan must submit a copy of all correspondence involving suspensions by that League within the Hockey Saskatchewan online Suspension tracking website. All leagues must abide by the Minimum Suspension guidelines as set out in 5.09.04.
5.09.04 Junior A/Junior B Minimum Suspension Guidelines
| Maltreatment - Rule 11 | |||
| Rule # | Type | Penalty | Suspension |
| 11.2 (e) | Game Misconduct | Disrespectful and Abusive Behavior | 1 game |
| 11.2(f) | Gross Misconduct | Disrespectful and Abusive Behavior | 2 games |
| 11.3(c) | Match | Spitting | 5 games |
| 11.4 | Gross Misconduct | Discrimination | Indefinite suspension pending a hearing (any suspension must be at least five games). |
| 11.5(c) | Match | Physical Harassment of Officials | Indefinite suspension pending a hearing. |
| Accumulation Sanctions – Player or Team Official | |||
| 11.2(e) | Receives two Game Misconducts under Rule 11.2 in a season | 2 games | |
| 11.2 (e) | Receives three or more Game Misconducts under Rule 11.2 in a season | Indefinite | |
| 11.4 | Receives two or more Gross Misconducts under Rule 11.4 in a season | Indefinite suspension pending a hearing. | |
| Checking From Behind - Rule 7.5 | ||
| Penalty Options | Suspension | Fine |
| Minor & Game Misconduct | No minimum | |
| Major & Game Misconduct | 2 games minimum | |
| Match | 5 games minimum | |
| Accumulations: A player shall receive a minimum 2 game suspension upon receiving his 3rd minor penalty for Checking from Behind in the same season. An additional 2 game suspension shall result for each subsequent minor in the same season. | ||
| Head Contact - Rule 7.7 | ||
| Penalty Options | Suspension | Fine |
| Minor & Misconduct | No minimum | |
| Major & Game Misconduct | 2 games minimum | |
| Match | 5 games minimum | |
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Accumulations: A player shall receive a minimum 2 game suspension upon receiving his 3rd minor penalty for Head Contact in the same season. An additional 2 game suspension shall result for each subsequent minor in the same season. |
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| Kneeing – Rule 7.8 | ||
| Penalty Options | Suspension | Fine |
| Double Minor | No minimum | |
| Major & Game Misconduct | 2 games minimum | |
| Match | 5 games minimum | |
| Accumulations: A player shall receive a minimum 2 game suspension upon receiving their 3rd double minor penalty for Kneeing in the same season. An additional 2 game suspension shall result for each subsequent double minor in the same season. | ||
| Clipping – Rule 8.7 | ||
| Penalty Options | Suspension | Fine |
| Minor | No minimum | |
| Major & Game Misconduct | 2 games minimum | |
| Match | 5 games minimum | |
| Accumulations: A player shall receive a minimum 2 game suspension upon receiving their 3rd minor penalty for Clipping in the same season. An additional 2 game suspension shall result for each subsequent minor in the same season. | ||
| Slew Footing – Rule 8.8 | ||
| Penalty Options | Suspension | Fine |
| Double Minor | No minimum | |
| Match | 5 games minimum | |
| Accumulations: A player shall receive a minimum 2 game suspension upon receiving their 3rd double minor penalty for Slew Footing in the same season. An additional 2 game suspension shall result for each subsequent double minor in the same season. | ||
| Interference/Protection of the Goaltender – Rule 8.5 | ||
| Penalty Options | Suspension | Fine |
| 1st minor penalty in game to team: Minor Penalty | No minimum | |
| 2nd minor penalty in game to team: Minor Penalty and Game Misconduct | 1 game to the player committing the 2nd Infraction | |
| 3 + minor penalties in same game to team: Minor Penalty and Game Misconduct | 2 game to the player committing the 3rd + Infraction. 1 game to the coach | $500 Per occurrence |
| Major Penalty and Game Misconduct | 2 games | |
| Match | 3 games | |
| Notes: In addition, a player shall receive a 2-game suspension upon receiving his 3rd penalty for Goaltender Interference in the same season. An additional 2 game suspension shall result for each subsequent Goaltender Interference Penalty in the same season. | ||
| ACCUMULATED MAJOR PENALTIES – NON-FIGHTING | ||
| Incident | Suspension | Fine |
| 3rd offence and thereafter | 3 games minimum | |
| ACCUMULATED MATCH PENALTIES (not listed above) | ||
| Incident | Suspension | Fine |
| 1st offence | 2 games minimum | |
| 2nd offence and thereafter | 3 games minimum | |
| ACCUMULATED GAME MISCONDUCTS - NON-FIGHTING | ||
| Incident | Suspension | Fine |
| 6th offence | 1 game minimum | $500 |
| 7th offence | 2 games minimum | $750 |
| 8th offence | 3 games minimum | $1,000 |
| 9th offence | 4 games minimum | $1,250 |
| 10th offence | Indefinite Suspension and Review | TBD |
| Instigator & Aggressor – Rule 7.11 | ||
| Incident | Suspension | Fine |
| 2nd offence (Instigator & Aggressor Combined) | 1 game minimum | $500 |
| 3rd offence (Instigator & Aggressor Combined) | 2 games minimum | $750 |
| 4th offence (Instigator & Aggressor Combined) | 3 games minimum | $1,000 |
| 5th offence (Instigator & Aggressor Combined) | 4 games minimum | $1,250 |
| 6th offence and thereafter (Instigator & Aggressor Combined) | Indefinite Suspension and Review | TBD |
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Two Fights on the same stoppage: Players involved in the second fight shall be subjected to an automatic suspension. |
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| Incident | Suspension | Fine |
| No instigator in 2nd fight | 1 game minimum to each player | |
| Instigator in 2nd fight | 2 games minimum to Instigating player. The non-instigating player shall not be suspended. | $500 |
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Three or More Fights on the same stoppage: When three or more fights occur during the same stoppage of play, players involved in the second fight and all subsequent fights shall be subjected to an automatic suspension. If a team is identified as the instigator of the multiple fight situation, the following minimum penalties shall be applied: |
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| Incident | Suspension | Fine |
| Instigating player(s) | 5 games minimum | |
| All players from instigating team who participated in multiple fight situation | 2 games minimum | |
| Coach of the instigating team | 1 game minimum | |
| Instigating Team | $1,000 | |
| If it is clear by the evidence that the multiple fights were instigated by one team, players from the non-instigating team shall not be suspended. | ||
| If an instigator is not identified, the following minimum penalties shall be applied: | ||
| Incident | Suspension | Fine |
| All participating players | 2 games minimum | |
| Coach from each team | 1 game minimum | |
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Each team also receives $1,000 Fine Players involved in the initial fight shall not be subject to the multiple fight penalties and suspensions. |
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| Leaving the Players or Penalty Bench – Rule 10.4 | ||
| Incident | Suspension | Fine |
| Player Identified | 6 games minimum | $1,500 |
| Staged Fights - Rule 7.10 | ||
| Incident | Suspension | Fine |
| Players participating in staged fight (No Instigator) | 3 games minimum | |
| 2nd occurrence in the same game (No Instigator) |
3 games minimum to players involved. Coaches shall be ejected. |
$600 |
| Staged fight where an instigator is identified | 2 games minimum to coach | $600 |
| Staged fight where an instigator is identified | 5 games minimum to offending player | |
| Pre-Game Fights or End or beginning of period - Rule 7.10 | ||
| Who is Penalized: | Suspension | Fine |
| Participating players | 2 games minimum | |
| Instigating player(s) | 5 games minimum | |
| Instigating coach (if identified) | 3 games minimum | $1,500 |
| Fighting Last 10 minutes of Game | ||
| Incident | Suspension | Fine |
| First fight (last 10 mins of game) | Warning delivered to both benches | |
| 2nd fight (last 10 mins of game) | Game Misconduct to Coaches | |
| 2nd fight (last 10 mins of game with Instigator) | Game Misconduct ONLY to Instigating Team Coach | |
| Fights Involving Goaltenders - Rule 7.10 | ||
| Incident | Suspension | Fine |
| Any fights between goaltenders | 3 games minimum | |
| Goaltender travels down the ice inside the other club’s blue line to fight opposing goalkeeper | 5 games minimum | |
| 2nd offence with an opposing goalkeeper | 6 games minimum | |
| Goaltender who leaves the crease to engage in a fight with any player other than a goaltender | 2 games minimum | |
| Removing Equipment to Fight – Rule 10.6 | ||
| Incident | Suspension | Fine |
| Remove helmet or opponents’ helmet in a challenge or a fight (Gross Misconduct) | 1 game minimum | |
| Removal of equipment on bench |
1 game minimum to player 1 game minimum to coach |
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| 2nd occurrence – coach and player | 2 games minimum | |
| ACCUMULATED Fighting Majors – Rule 7.10 | ||
| Incident | Suspension | Fine |
| 5th fighting major | 1 game minimum | |
| 6th fighting major | 3 games minimum | $750 (Team Fine) |
| 7th fighting major | 4 games minimum | $1,000 (Team Fine) |
| 8th fighting major | 8 games minimum | $1,250 (Team Fine) |
| Any subsequent fighting major after 8 | League to determine suspension and team fine | |
5.09.05 Junior C/Junior Female
a) The Minimum Suspension guidelines in Regulation 5.09.07 is the Minimum guideline for the application of a suspension of team members.
b) Leagues may extend the basic suspension(s); however, they shall not reduce the Hockey Saskatchewan Minimum guideline.
c) These Minimum Suspension guidelines are to be applied to all hockey played in the Junior C and Junior Female divisions of Hockey Saskatchewan.
d) The game in which any of the penalties assessed fall under Hockey Saskatchewan Minimum Suspension guidelines, shall not be counted in the length of the suspension.
e) It is the responsibility of each team manager and/or coach to ensure the team member(s) sit out their appropriate suspensions. If in doubt as to the relevant suspension, contact the applicable League President.
f) Any suspension involving a “length of time” will be applied from the beginning of League play for the League the Team is registered with until March 31st.
5.09.06 Application Guidelines of Suspensions
a) Suspensions by Hockey Saskatchewan of any registered referee, player, coach, or team official may include a suspension that will not allow such suspended person to participate in the game of hockey in any capacity. The following guidelines apply:
i) The suspension from all aspects of hockey games would apply to all suspensions issued for breach of the Hockey Saskatchewan Bylaws or Regulations, as well as all suspensions issued under Hockey Canada/Hockey Saskatchewan Playing Rule 2.2; 2.2 c); 11.2; 11.3; 11.4; 11.5 i), ii), iii), and iv).
ii) Unless specified otherwise, suspensions resulting from violation of Hockey Canada/Hockey Saskatchewan playing rules, would only suspend the referee, player, or team official from participating in the game of hockey in the capacity at which he/she received their suspension.
b) While a player or team official is serving their suspension, they may not participate with the Team in any capacity during games.
c) A suspended player cannot be present on the player’s bench however they are allowed in the team’s dressing room.
d) A suspended Team Official cannot be present in his/her team’s dressing room prior to, during, or following the game(s) they are suspended from or be on the player’s bench. Team Officials who violate this will be dealt with by the respective League Executive.
e) i) A player/team official is suspended until the suspension is served with the team where the infraction occurred (certified, carded or affiliate team).
ii) If the team where the infraction occurred has played its last game, then the suspension may be completed with the other team.
iii) The Player suspension must be listed on game sheets.
iv) The player/team official shall not be included as one of the maximum number of players.
f) Suspensions cannot be served in Preseason, Exhibition, Cancelled or Forfeited Games and suspended players cannot play in Preseason or Exhibition games.
NOTE: Suspended players can participate in Preseason games at the Junior C and Junior Female categories prior to the Team’s roster being finalized and submitted to Hockey Saskatchewan prior to their first League game.
g) Suspensions may only be served in regular scheduled league games, Hockey Saskatchewan playoff games or league playoff games and sanctioned tournaments where entry or scheduling is made prior to the suspension.
i) Suspensions for violations of the Hockey Canada/Hockey Saskatchewan rules and regulations must be served in the next game or games the player/team official participates in.
ii) Suspensions for violation of league rules (i.e.: accumulation of penalty minutes; misconducts; game misconducts; fighting majors; CFB’s; HC’s; etc.) may be implemented at the League’s discretion.
h) Any suspension imposed upon any player, coach, or team official by the officials of any League or Association registered with Hockey Saskatchewan shall be given full recognition by Hockey Saskatchewan.
5.09.07
a) Physical Abuse of Officials
Any player, coach, manager, trainer or stick person assessed a penalty under Rule 11.5 of the Hockey Canada Rule Book is to be indefinitely suspended until the matter is dealt with by the Hockey Saskatchewan Chair of Discipline.
| Rule # | ||
| 11.5 i) Match & ii) | Threaten or Attempt to Strike | Thirty (30) days |
| 11.5 iii) Match | Intentionally touches, holds or pushes | Three (3) months |
| 11.5 iv) Match | Deliberately strikes, trips or body checks | Six (6) months |
| b) Abuse of Officials, Unsportsmanlike Conduct/Misconduct | ||
| Rule # | ||
| 11.1/11.2 | Game Misconduct is assessed | One (1) game |
| 11.1 f) | Gross Misconduct is assessed | Two (2) games |
| 11.3 c) | Match for Spitting is assessed | Five (5) games |
| 11.4 f) | Gross Misconduct for Discrimination is assessed | Indefinite Suspension (Minimum of five (5) games) |
| Accumulation Sanctions: (In addition to the above) | ||
| Any player or coach who receives 2 Game Misconducts under rule 11.2 in a season | Two (2) games | |
| Any player or coach who receives 3 or more Game Misconducts under rule 11.2 in a season | Indefinite Suspension | |
| Any player or coach who receives 2 or more Gross Misconducts under rule 11.4 in a season | Indefinite Suspension | |
| c) Checking From Behind/Head Contact | ||
| Rule # | ||
| 7.5 b) and 7.6 b) | Checking from Behind/Head Contact where a five (5) minute Major penalty plus a game misconduct is assessed. | One (1) game |
| 7.5 c) and 7.6 c) | Checking from Behind/Head Contact where a Match penalty is assessed. |
First Offense Four (4) games Second Offense Indefinite Suspension |
| d) Major/Match Penalties | ||
| Rule # | ||
| 8.7 b) | Major for Clipping | One (1) game |
| All Match penalties (not including 7.5 c), 7.6 c), 11.3 and 11.5) | Three (3) games | |
| e) Fighting | ||
| Rule # | ||
| 7.10 c) | Match - Any players wearing a ring or rings, tape or any other material on his/her hands who becomes involved in a fight and who uses such to gain an advantage or to inflict punishment and/or injury, shall be assessed a Match penalty in addition to any other penalties he/she may incur. | Three (3) games |
| 7.10 e) | Any player joining in a fight, acting as a peacemaker or taking part in another fight during the same stoppage of play. When a goaltender leaves the goal crease to join a fight, act as a peacemaker, or take part in nother fight, during the same stoppage of play. | Two (2) games |
| 7.10 e) | Any person receiving his/her second fighting Major penalty during the same stoppage of play. | Two (2) games |
| f) Multiple Fights in a Season | ||
| Accumulation Sanctions: (In addition to the assessed penalties) | ||
| Rule # | ||
| 7.10 b) | Any Player who engages in multiple fights in a season shall be suspended as follows; | |
| Engages in their 3rd fight | One (1) game | |
| Engages in their 4th fight | Two (2) games | |
| Engages in their 5th fight | Three (3) games | |
| g) Instigator/Aggressor Penatlies | ||
| Accumulation Sanctions: (In addition to the assessed penalties) | ||
| Rule # | ||
| 7.11 a) | 1st Offense | One (1) game |
| 2nd Offense | Three (3) games | |
| 3rd Offense | Indefinite Suspension | |
| Head Coach of a team whose player is penalized for a 3rd offense of Instigator or Aggressor | Three (3) games | |
| h) Leaving a Bench for the Purpose of Fighting | ||
| Rule # | ||
| 10.4 e) | Player identified as first leave the players bench during a fight, or to start a fight. | Three (3) games |
| 10.4 e) | Leaving the penalty box as above. | Four (4) games |
| 10.4 e) | Coach of a team whose player is penalized under the above two points. | Three (3) games |
| 10.4 e) | Coach of a team whose player leaves but is not identified as the first to leave the players or penalty bench during an on-ice altercation. | Two (2) games |
| i) Pre/Post Game Altercation | ||
| Rule # | ||
| 7.10 b) | Any player involved where Majors and Game Misconducts are assessed. | One (1) game |
| Coach of team whose players are so penalized. | Indefinite Suspension | |
| Any team involved in a pre or post game brawl. | Indefinite Suspension | |
| j) Ineligible Players | ||
| Rule # | ||
| 2.2 c) | Team official who is party to an had knowledge of playing a player not properly registered with that team, properly affiliated to that team or under suspension. | Indefinite until dealt with by the Chair of Discipline. |
| 2.2 h) | Player who participates in a game as Improperly Registered or Suspended Player or Team Official. | Indefinite until dealt with by the Chair of Discipline. |
| k) Removing Team From Game | ||
| Rule # | ||
| 10.8 | Coach whose team is removed from the game prior to the game conclusion. | Indefinite until dealt with by the Chair of Discipline. |
l) Game Misconduct
i) In Junior C and Female Junior hockey any player or team official who is assessed a Game Misconduct penalty in the last ten (10) minutes of regular time, at any time in overtime, or after the conclusion of the game and prior to the player or team official entering the dressing room, shall automatically be suspended for the next regular scheduled league, playoff, Hockey Saskatchewan Provincial Playoff or sanctioned tournament game. Players receiving a game misconduct under this rule during their last game of the season must serve the suspension in their first league or sanctioned tournament game in the next season.
ii) Any Gross Misconduct in the last ten (10) minutes of a game receives an extra Game Suspension in addition to the suspension for the Gross Misconduct.
iii) Any Match Penalty in the last ten (10) minutes of a game receives an extra Game Suspension in addition to the suspension for the Match Penalty.
m) Multiple Game Misconducts
| Player or Team Official who receives multiple game misconducts at any time during a game. | One (1) game for each Game Misconduct over one (1) | ||