Rules

Team Composition:
- Each team must have a minimum of 8 skaters and 1 goaltender, with a maximum of 15 skaters on the roster.
Game Regulations:
- All games will be conducted in accordance with USA Hockey Rules (refer to USAHockey.com for details).
- A valid USA Hockey membership number is mandatory for participation in any league game.
Game Format:
- Each game will begin with a 3-minute warm-up, followed by three 18-minute periods with a running clock.
- If the goal differential is 2 or less, the clock will stop for the final 2 minutes of the third period.
Overtime and Shootouts:
- Regular season games ending in a tie will proceed to a 3-round shootout (no overtime).
Substitution Rules:
- Players may not substitute for a team in a lower division if they are already registered in a higher division.
- Non-registered players must pay a $30 substitution fee through online registration prior to the game.

Approval Process:
- All non-registered substitution players must be submitted to the OKCAHL Captains Group Chat for approval by league officials no later than 24 hours before the game.
Skill Level Requirements:
- Substitute players must be of equal or lower skill level than the division they are playing in.

Payment Methods:
- Payments can be made through the league's payment portal or at the Arctic Edge Ice Arena front desk. Payments made at Blazers Ice Center require a receipt to be submitted to Arctic Edge management or emailed to the League Director.
Payment Deadlines:
- Full payment is required by the first game. A $25 late fee will be imposed if payment is not received by Game 6.
- Payment plans are available, with the first payment due by Game 1 and the final payment due by Game 6.
- Players not paid in full by July 18th will be ineligible to participate until the balance is cleared.
Substitution Fees:
- The $35 substitution fee must be paid at the rink before the game starts. Failure to comply will result in a forfeit for the offending team.

Penalty Accumulation:
- Accumulating 3 penalties in a single game will result in a game misconduct and suspension.
- Two major penalties in a game will also lead to a game misconduct and suspension.
Fighting and Misconduct:
- Fighting will result in an immediate game misconduct and potential removal from the league, pending review.
- Verbal or physical abuse of officials may result in suspension or expulsion from the league.
Injuries and Violent Conduct:
- Intentional injury to a goaltender or player will lead to a game forfeit for the offending team and possible suspension for the player, subject to review by the League Directors.
Case-by-Case Suspensions:
- Suspensions are evaluated individually, with repeat offenders and severe violations subject to harsher penalties, including multi-game suspensions or removal from the league.
Fighting Penalties:
- Engaging in a fight will result in a 5-game suspension.
- Dropping gloves with intent to fight will result in a 3-game suspension.
Assault on Officials:
- Assaulting an official will result in a suspension lasting one calendar year.
Suspension Reduction:
- First-time offenders may reduce their suspension by completing the Safe-Sport Training Course and submitting proof to Arctic Edge staff.
- Second-time offenders will face a 3-game suspension.
- Third-time offenders will be suspended for the remainder of the league season.

Eligibility:
- Only athletes who have paid the $275 league fee in full are eligible to participate in playoff games. No substitutes are allowed during the playoffs.
Roster Completion Exceptions:
- In exceptional cases where a team cannot field 8 skaters and a goalie, they may use up to 3 approved substitutes. These substitutes must be approved by the League Director 24 hours before the game.
Penalty for Unauthorized Players:
- If an unauthorized player competes in a playoff game without approval, the game will be forfeited by the offending team.
Overtime:
- Playoff games tied at the end of regulation will proceed to a 5-minute, 3-on-3 overtime period.
- If the tie persists, the game will move to a 3-round shootout.
Goalie Injuries:
- If a goalie is injured during the playoffs, the team has 20 minutes to field a substitute goalie of equal or lower skill.
Goalie Substitutions Due to Illness:
- In the event of a goalie’s illness, a substitute goalie from the same or lower division may be used, subject to approval.

League Directors: