ARROW LEAGUE INFORMATION
League Divisions / Skill Level
ARROW currently has a single division, which is designed to serve “Rookie” and “D” level players in the middle Tennessee area. The Board has ultimate oversight on determining if a player fits within the skill range of this division and whether to expand to other divisions which may or may not disperse the current division into multiple divisions.
ARROW reserves the right to request a player modify their play, or simply revoke their membership, if their skill level is outside the range of their current division. If the player refuses to modify their play, or continues to disregard the modification, ARROW has the ability to revoke the player’s membership, or give the option to move to a more suitable division if one is offered.
Season Structure
ARROW seasons shall consist of twelve regular season games and at least two guaranteed playoff games for every team.
Game Structure
All games for ARROW will consist of three 12-minute periods with time stopping upon a whistle by the official or a scored goal. Teams will switch directions after the first and second periods.
If a regular season game is tied after three periods, there will be a 5-minute period with a running clock to serve as overtime, with goalies remaining in the same goal as the third period. Teams will skate with 3-on-3 during the overtime period, with players added to a side when awarded a powerplay. Line changes are not permitted during a stoppage and must be completed while play is underway. Attempting to change lines during a stoppage will first result in a warning by the official, followed by a delay of game penalty for each additional infraction. A confirmed goal by either team ends the game with the scoring team declared the winner and awarded two points in the standings, and the losing team awarded one point.
If the game is tied after the overtime period, a three-round shootout will commence with the home team having the choice to shoot first or second. Goaltenders, and any player serving a penalty that did not expire prior to the end of overtime, are not permitted to shoot during a shootout. If at the end of three rounds the game remains tied, the game shall end in a tie with each team awarded one point in the standings.
If a playoff game is tied after three periods, there will be a 5-minute period with the clock continuing to stop after official whistles. Teams will skate with 3-on-3 during the overtime period, with players added to a side when awarded a powerplay. Line changes are permitted as they are during regulation time. A confirmed goal by either team ends the game.
If the game is tied after the overtime period, a three-round shootout will commence with the home team having the choice to shoot first or second. If at the end of three rounds the game remains tied, single sudden-death rounds shall begin and continue until a winner is decided. Each player from a team must shoot, aside from the goaltender, before a player may shoot a second time. Goaltenders, and any player serving a penalty that did not expire prior to the end of overtime, are not permitted to shoot during a shootout.
The game clock shall run through whistles and goals if a team has a lead of five or more goals at any time.
The officials have the discretion to modify the game structure, in interest of time due to unforeseen circumstances, after conferring with both team captains. Once a decision is reached and enforced, the modified structure will count as a complete and valid game.
In the event the scoreboard malfunctions, the league shall use a running clock of 18 minutes per period, with minors set to 3 minutes and major penalties set to 7 minutes. The scorekeeper will coordinate with the referee to ensure there is an official time. If the clock is visible to the players on the ice, the referee shall inform the captains and goalkeepers (upon request) what time will remain on the game clock when any penalties expire. If the clock is not visible to players on the ice, the scorekeeper shall audibly inform the teams when the clock passes the 10-, 5-, 3-, 2- and 1-minute marks, as well as 30 and 10 seconds remaining. The scorekeeper may also call out marks of 30 and 10 seconds for any penalties. Having players on the bench unable to see the clock does not alter this rule and the scorekeeper is strongly discouraged from shouting any other times in order to keep the rule consistent in case it is inaudible to any players.
Rosters and Substitutes
Each ARROW team must submit a roster of 10-16 full-time and part-time players, as well as an optional list of up to five team-specific substitutes. Full-time players must be members of ARROW to be eligible for roster placement, and substitutes will be required to submit their active and valid USA Hockey registration number prior to becoming eligible to play.
Eligible full-time and part-time players are to be given priority when captains are submitting their game lineups. Part-time players are eligible for up to six regular season games and any and all playoff games. Eligible team-specific substitutes may be used for any regular season game for their own team (Joe is a sub for the Penguins. He can play for the Penguins regardless of the number of skaters). Eligible full-time players or team-specific substitutes from other teams may be used for substitutes if the team has less than 10 skaters, and as many may be used until the team has 10 skaters (Joe cannot sub for the Flyers if they have 10 skaters already. Bob, who plays for the Predators, cannot play for the Flyers if they have 10 skaters already). The current sub fee is $15.
A full-time player loses eligibility for the team they are rostered upon direction of the Board and/or the Disciplinary Officer, or if the player has fees due in arrears of at least 13 days. Any player loses eligibility to sub if any fees are due in arrears. Team-specific substitutes lose eligibility if they have played in six games for any team in the given season.
Goalies are not applicable and rostered goalies may be used as substitutes at any time. Goalies who are not members of ARROW must be pre-approved by a simple majority of the Board prior to play. In the event of an emergency, the League Coordinator may approve a non-ARROW goalie for the purpose of preventing a team forfeit.
A team shall forfeit if it does not have a total of seven players at any time the puck is in play, aside from loss of player due to injury within the game. The non-offending team shall be awarded a 1-0 win, with all stats from the game nullified. In the event both teams forfeit, the game shall be canceled without make-up and both teams issued a 0-1 loss for purposes of the standings.
Jersey Numbers
Each skater must have a jersey number so that they can be easily identified by both the referees and scorekeepers, and are not duplicated by another member on the team. If a jersey does not have a pre-assigned number or is a duplicate, hockey tape may be used to “create” a number for this purpose as a temporary solution.
Player Transfers
A player who wishes to transfer to a different team may do so without approval between seasons. If a player wishes to transfer to a different team midseason, a formal written request is required to be submitted to the Board for review. These requests are generally denied, but each will be afforded a review with only a unanimous vote granting approval.
A player who transfers to another team must remain on that team’s roster for a full season before transferring again.
arrow game rules and infractions
USA Hockey rules, regulations, and infractions shall be enforced by ARROW and its officials unless otherwise stated within the ARROW League Rules.
Offsides
ARROW shall enforce a delayed offsides rule, which occurs when a player on the attacking team is in the offensive zone before the puck and the attacking team causes the puck to enter the zone without the attacking team having possession.
When a delayed offside occurs, an official will keep an arm up to signal it, and all attacking players must retreat back into the neutral zone without touching the puck or intentionally impeding an opponent for the delayed offside to end. If an attacking player touches the puck during the delayed offside, or is deemed to have intentionally impeded an opponent, offsides will be called. If, while a delayed offside is in effect, an attacking player causes the puck to enter the zone and registers a shot on goal, play shall be stopped immediately and the resulting faceoff shall occur in the attacking team’s defensive zone.
Icing
ARROW shall enforce a no-touch center red line icing rule, which occurs when a player shoots, bats with the hand or stick, or deflects the puck over the center red line and the opposing team's red goal line, in that order.
Icing shall be nullified when:
- The team committing the icing is shorthanded;
- The puck is iced directly from a player participating in a face-off;
- The goaltender leaves their goal crease and, in the estimation of the official, makes an earnest attempt to play the puck;
- The goaltender touches the puck;
- The puck crosses the goal line between the goal posts of the opposing team: this scenario rewards a goal to the team which hit the icing; or,
- The official determines a player from the attacking team reaches the top of the offensive faceoff circle, prior to the puck crossing the end goal line, with no opposing skater between the player and the goal.
Fighting
ARROW will not tolerate fighting in any manner. The League will enforce a more aggressive stance on fighting than is covered in USA Hockey.
Fighting is defined as a punch, or an attempted punch, thrown by any player in the direction of an opponent, regardless as to whether contact is made.
Fighting will still carry a major penalty and a game misconduct during the game where it occurs as directed by USA Hockey, but will instead carry a minimum three (3) game suspension for the first offense. A second offense will result in an automatic membership ban that will require formal application for reinstatement as outlined in the Membership Requirements.
Retaliation, in defense of an attempted or connected punch, shall be assessed a major and a game misconduct during the game; however, the suspension length will be under the discretion of the Board, with a minimum of one game to be levied.
An additional player who enters into a fighting situation, regardless if they are attempting to diffuse the situation, shall be designated as “third-man in” and will be assessed a game misconduct. Any additional penalties may be assessed by the referees under their discretion depending on the player’s action.
Habitual Offenders
ARROW understands that the game of hockey can be an emotional one that can lead to a player acting out of character. However, the notion of acting out of character starts to change when a player is found subject to a disciplinary hearing more regularly.
In the event a player is the subject of a disciplinary hearing and is assessed a multi-game suspension twice in a rolling 12-month span, the player will be banned from ARROW and will require formal application for reinstatement as outlined in the Membership Requirements.
In the event a player is the subject of a disciplinary hearing and is assessed any disciplinary suspension three times in a rolling 18-month span, the player will be banned from ARROW and will require formal application for reinstatement as outlined in the Membership Requirements.