Michigan Amateur Youth Hockey League

AAU Michigan Hockey

League Rules may be changed or amended as the league determines necessary.

All changes will be posted!

These rules apply to MAYHL and AAU Michigan

Chapter 1: Purpose of league

The purpose of MAYHL is to provide a positive and rewarding hockey experience for the amateur youth hockey players. MAYHL shall emphasize sportsmanship and competitive fair play. MAYHL will provide an environment for the youth hockey player to improve their ability and foster fun and learning in a team sport environment.

Chapter 2: Definitions

"Affiliate" shall mean any state governing body, and any local hockey association having agreements or sub-agreements to operate directly or indirectly in the State of Michigan.

“Discipline Committee” Shall mean the committee in charge of all disciplinary actions by the league for violation of league rules, conduct and Major Penalties.

“Independent Teams” Teams not affiliated with a Member Hockey Association.

"League Play Deadline" shall mean the date published on the MAYHL website by which all League Play shall be completed.

"League Play" shall mean MAYHL regular season games.

"League Management Tool" or "LMT" shall mean all systems, software, and websites designated for use and sanctioned by MAYHL for teams to enter and view information, such as scheduling, statistical, or game result data.

“Member Hockey Association” Local Hockey Association that has applied for membership, will have voting rights and seat on Discipline committee and rules committee.

"MAYHL Game" shall mean MAYHL games, both League Play and Playoffs.

"MAYHL" or the "League" shall mean Michigan Amateur Youth Hockey League.

"Player" shall mean an individual participant, other than a coach or manager listed on a certified roster of a team.

"Playoff" shall mean games that occur after League Play to determine the MAYHL champion for each age classification.

"Team Official" or "Team Officials" shall mean any coach or manager listed on a stamped or otherwise certified roster of said team, and any individual not listed on a certified roster, but acting under designated authority as a team representative.

Chapter 3: Organization

3.1 Membership; Membership shall consist of local youth hockey Associations registered with the State Of Michigan as a nonprofit local organization or recognized as a 501 (c)(3) Non Profit under the IRS Rules. Independent Teams and Clubs with a proper AAU Membership

3.2 Division Directors: Each Association shall be assigned a Division to head up. It shall be up to each association who shall be the division director. Each association shall communicate to the League secretary the name and contact info for each Division Director. In the event there are no Associations, in a division any volunteer from the other teams of the division or someone from outside of a division will be appointed.

3.3 Division Director: shall be the contact for each division, shall communicate all needed information to the teams in their division. Shall be the first point of contact for any disputes, or conduct investigations as needed for any Discipline committee hearing.

3.4 The League shall not be involved in any political activities. In the event that a political activity directly involving Youth Hockey requires the leagues involvement, the Owner / Commissioner shall inform all members and Teams of the Leagues involvement.

3.5 Meetings: The league shall meet as needed to discuss all rules for the next playing season. Playoff rules will be published on the official website. All playoff rules will be from the majority of the division rules used during the season. The league shall approve all independent team applications and team alignments for regular season play prior to the start of the season. The League shall meet no later than 20 days prior to approve the alignment for Playoffs.

3.6 The league shall be a member of Amateur Athletic Union of the United States, Inc. at a Level 2 club.

3.7 It is the intention of this league to support the activities of the Local Youth Hockey Association And independent teams. All teams must participate in the age appropriate divisions. Any teams wishing to participate in the House / Recreation league must hold an open sign up. All players shall be chosen on a first come first picked basis. A sign in sheet must be provided to the league. The League reserves the right to move any team to a more equal and competitive division within 45 days of the start of league play.

Chapter 4: League divisions

4.1 The following divisions will be offered;

4.1.2 6U (Skill development beginners) Games for League play shall be ½ Ice, Score may be kept, No standings will be kept and no playoffs will be held. Full ice games can also be scheduled.

4.1.3 8U (House, Travel A (7year old only), Travel AA) House teams shall be established on a first come first placed basis, in the event enough kids sign up for more than one team a draft shall be conducted by approved fair draft rules. Travel A shall be comprised of kids all the same age and in the first year of the age group. Travel AA will be open to all kids in that age group. Travel teams will be made up of Kids selected on a tryout basis by a coach.

4.1.4 10U (House, Travel A (9year old only), Travel AA) See 4.1.3

4.1.5 12U (House, Travel A (11year old only), Travel AA) See 4.1.3

4.1.6 14U (House, Travel A (13year old only), Travel AA) See 4.1.3

4.1.7 16U (House, Travel A (15year old only), Travel AA) See 4.1.3

4.1.8 18U (House, Travel A (17year old only), Travel AA) See 4.1.3

4.2 All Teams will be required to enter a Roster of players, coaches and managers into the approved league website. All Rosters will be final and no further roster changes can occur after 12/31 of the Current playing year, this date maybe extended based on the length of the season.

4.3 Coaches shall not recruit players rostered to other teams.  Player Tampering Rule: Tryouts for All Current AAU Rostered Youth Teams and Age Groups. No AAU Fall Rostered team or new team, who wish to form in the spring season in an active age classification, may recruit or solicit players, offer contracts, hold tryouts, conditioning skate, or any activity that could be construed as a tryout/solicitation or recruitment or player evaluation until March 15 th or the current AAU and League Playoffs Conclude. Violations of this rule will result in the Head coach of that team being suspended or removed and the Players attending would be ineligible to roster with that team.

Exception:  New teams forming for a new age group that may begin in the fall. 

Example, at the current age of 7U, new players would currently be classified as 6U and there is no 6u classification, may hold tryouts beginning March 1.

4.4 Players may only roster on one team. Players wishing to change teams will need to supply a Release form provided by the league or AAU. The release from will give the players name, membership number, zip code, date of birth, Team the player is leaving, Team player is moving to.  Authorized representative signature for both teams and then presented to the league or AAU represtitive for Final Approval. Player is not allowed to Practice, Play any games until transfer is approved by all listed above.

4.5 Team officials, players and any other person-violating rule 4.2 thru 4.4 will be subject to disciplinary action by the discipline committee. Recourse may include suspension, not approving a transfer or removal from the league.

Chapter 5: Playing Rules

5.1 Unless otherwise specified below, Michigan Amateur Youth Hockey League does hereby adopt the National Federation of High School playing rules with the following exceptions.

5.1.2 Equipment: Safety to our players being of paramount importance, all players are required to wear full ice hockey equipment, including properly labeled and non-expired ice hockey helmets with full gage or visor.

5.1.2.1 Black Puck: shall apply to all divisions 8U and older. All 6U Teams shall utilize a Blue Puck.

5.1.3 Playing Surface: the league and/or its teams may voluntarily opt for playing Half-Ice, Cross-Ice, 3v3 and/or 4v4 small area games. Further, teams are encouraged to utilize such small area games and station drills within their practices. 6U teams will be encouraged to play ½ ice games. However, a division may elect to play full ice.

5.1.4 Officials: The home team shall provide two properly trained officials; in the event only one official is available, the game may still be played with the agreement of both Head coaches. In the event no Officials are available, each team may select one Coach to Act as the Referee of that game. Scoresheet must be clearly noted and both head coaches must initial.

5.1.5 Body Checking: Shall be allowed at 12U travel, and all 14U and Older Divisions. If a 12U house division wishes to include checking, a request will need to be made to the league.

5.1.6 Off-Sides: 8U Travel and all 10U and older classifications shall play delayed Tag up off sides. 8U House team divisions may elect to play Either Immediate or Tag Up off sides.

5.1.7 Face-Offs: The nine (9) designated locations. Consult Rule 6 Section 12 of the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) for guidance.

5.1.8 Game Rules & Timekeeping: Subject to local facility curfew rules, games shall have a minimum of three stop-time 10 minute periods, with on-the-fly line changing. 6U Teams shall use a two or three Minute Stop time shift change system for all games including full ice.

5.1.9 Time outs: No time outs will be allowed during League play. One time out per team will be allowed during the Play off finals only.

5.1.10 “Goal Differential / Running Clock Game Rule”:

A Running Clock shall be used in MAYHL games when a team leads by six (six) or more goals AFTER 2 periods of play and anytime during the Third Period. Regular Stop Time resumes when the Goal Differential goes from six (six) or more goals to less than 6 (six) goals.

The “Goal Differential / Running Clock Game Rule” is not optional nor shall it be modified for MAYHL games.

1. Running Clock starts when there is at least a six (six) goal difference AFTER 2 periods and anytime during the Third Period. When there is a five (five) goal difference, play goes back to stop time. The clock will switch between running time (when a six (six) goal difference exists anytime in the Third Period) and stop time (when there is five five) or less goal difference anytime in the Third Period).

2. When a Penalty is called, the clock will be stopped to assess the penalty time and the clock will start after the puck drops and play begins. Penalties are on running clock time until there is a five (five) goal or less difference.

Chapter 6: Discipline

6.1 All discipline for match penalties, See chapter 9 below

6.2 The Mayhl and Michigan Hockey Division of AAU, has adopted the USA Hockey's Players code of conduct, Parents code of conduct and Coaches Code of Conduct. All matters pertaining to these violations will be referred to the Discipline Chair for Proper hearings and discipline. All appeals as listed will still be available.

6.3 All Decisions of the Discipline Chair may be appealed to either the State AAU hockey director if applicable or go the next step and appeal to the AAU Nation Chair Person. All appeals to the National Chair will require a hearing fee set by the national chair. The league may hold discipline hearings for violations of league rules and conduct.  These hearing would be appealed to the State AAU hockey directot.

Chapter 7: Fees and Dues

7.1 All Teams are required to join AAU as a club, all coaches and Managers are required to join AAU as non-athlete members, all players are required to Join AAU as Youth Players with Extended Benefit A/B

7.1 MAYHL will collect a fee for each team entering the league. Additional fees may be due for all league playoffs to provide for Ice, Refs, scorekeeper, and trophies.

Chapter 8: Playoffs

The league shall conduct playoffs, the rules listed may be amended or changed as needed to best suit the needs of a division.

8.1 First Round Playoffs will be Round Robin style. Each team will be seeded and required to schedule there playoff games within the required period. Teams will be responsible for all ref, scorekeeper and ice fees.

8.2 Quarter / Semi Finals will be conducted by the League and a time and rink that the league will secure. The league will provide refs and scorekeepers. Quarter / Semifinals will be a one game elimination.

8.3 League finals will be conducted by the league for all playoff finalists at a time and location of its choice, All Refs, scorekeepers and Ice will be provided. (See Fees Schedule published for league). Each team will be allowed one time out. Games must be played to a completion. Each team will be provided with written rules prior to the game approved by the League and Division Directors.

8.4 All teams will play with the players / coaches listed on the approved roster as of 12/31 of the current season. Any team found to have violated this rule and played with illegal players will immediately forfeit the game. The head coach will be suspended until a hearing.

Chapter 9: Match Penalties and Other Violations

601(e) A match penalty shall be assessed to any player or team official who commits the following actions:

 (1) Applies deliberate physical force or attempts to inflict physical harm to any game official, including off-ice officials.

(2) Behaving in any manner that is critically detrimental to the conducting of the game, including but not limited to spitting at an opponent, spectator, game or team official, or verbally threatening or intimidating PLAYING RULES 60 USA Hockey a Game Official, opposing Team Official or opposing player with physical contact or harm.

(3) Uses language that is hateful or discriminatory in nature anywhere in the rink before, during or after the game.

(Note) The officials are required to immediately file a game report and the offending player/team official is suspended until their case has been dealt with by the proper authorities.

If the incident was reported to, but not heard by the official(s), the officials are required to notify the coach of the offending team and submit an incident report to the Proper Authorities immediately following the game outlining what was reported to them.

(Note 2) Any match penalty assessed under this rule must be reported via written game report by the officials no later than 24 hours following the game. The official(s) should also provide a verbal report to the league Director of the AAU hockey director of the state within 48 hours.

602(a) Attempt to injure or recklessly endanger and opponent; A match penalty shall be assessed to any player or team official who recklessly endangers or attempts to injure any opposing player or team official. In all cases when a match penalty is assessed, a game report shall be filed with the proper authorities for further disciplinary action.

(Note) All incidents of attempt to inflict physical harm to game officials should be penalized under Rule 601(e.1).

603(c) Boarding; A match penalty for reckless endangerment may also be assessed for boarding.

604(e) Body Checking; A match penalty for reckless endangerment may also be assessed for body checking in a Competitive Contact category or non-check Adult classification.

608(c) Checking from Behind; A match penalty shall be assessed for checking from behind in all instances when a player recklessly endangers an opponent from behind with excessive force while the opponent is in a vulnerable or defenseless position.

609(c) Cross Checking; A match penalty for reckless endangerment may also be assessed for crosschecking.

Any additional Penalties listed in Section 6 of USA Hockey Rulebook that includes a Match Penalty.

Match Penalty Option

 603(c) Boarding

604(e) Body checking in Competitive Contact category

606(b) Butt-ending

607(e) Charging

608(c) Checking from behind

609(c) Cross-checking

611(c) Elbowing

615(c) Deliberately removing helmet during altercation

619(b) Head-butting

620(c) Head Contact

621(c) High-sticking

622(c) Holding/grabbing facemask

623(c) Hooking

628(c) Kneeing

634(c) Slashing

635(b) Spearing

639(c) Tripping/Clipping/Leg Checking/Slew Footing

640(h) Avoidable check (Late Hit)

640(h) Avoidable contact after whistle

640(h) Body check with no effort to gain possession of puck

640(h) Body check delivered to opponent who is physically engaged

640(h) Goalkeeper delivering body check Match Penalty (only)

305(b) Taped hand, cutting opponent

601(e.1) Applies physical force or attempts to inflict physical harm to a game official

601(e.2) Conduct critically detrimental to the game

601(e.3) Hateful/Discriminatory Language

602(a) Attempt to injure or recklessly endanger an opponent or team official

615(c) Removing helmet prior to or during an altercation

627(b) Kicking opponent

633(a,b) Suspended game—refusal to start play

Chapter 10 Supplementary Discipline

10-1(a) In addition to the suspensions imposed under these rules, the proper disciplinary authority, at its discretion and after the game has been completed, may investigate any incident that occurs in connection with any game. Any incident that occurs prior to, during, or after the game is subject to review regardless of whether the action was penalized by the Referee.

(b) Suspensions imposed during a AAU Hockey governed playoff event (State, District or National Championships) must be served during that same event where the suspension occurred. If the length of suspension carries beyond that event for an advancing team, the Discipline Committee of the following Championship shall be the sole authority in determining the eligibility of the individual(s).

(c) In the case of a match penalty, the proper disciplinary authority shall be required to conduct any disciplinary actions in accordance with the provisions of AAU Hockey’s Discipline Policy.

10-2 Any coach who receives their second game misconduct penalty in the same season for a violation of USA Hockey Rule 601 shall automatically receive an additional three-game suspension. Any coach who receives their third game misconduct penalty in the same season for a violation of  USA Hockey Rule 601 shall automatically be suspended from AAU Hockey activities until a hearing is conducted by the Proper Authority.

10-3 Code of Conduct Violation; All code of conduct violations will have a hearing by the proper authorities conducted under the same rules as above for other violations.  This include all player, coaches and Parent code of conduct and violations of the AAU Member code of conduct.