Playing Rules

FWSHL Playing Rules and Procedures – Updated 03/24/2026

FUJ, LLC operates the FWSHL as a private, invite only league and certain levels of skill are required to participate.

Zero Tolerance Policy

Players will be penalized an Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty (Zero Tolerance) any time they:

openly dispute or argue any official’s decision;
use obscene or vulgar language directed at the officials, players on the opposing team, in the penalty box, or loud enough for spectators and off-ice officials to hear it;
visually demonstrate any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision. A game misconduct shall result if the player continues such action.

Attendance: Prior to the start of the game Captains must provide the scorekeeper with the correct lineup for the game including any substitutions. Failure to provide the complete and accurate lineup prior to the game start will result in a forfeit. The determination of a complete and accurate roster will be determined by FUJ, LLC. If the Captain is using a pre-printed roster label, players who are absent must be crossed off the list, and any substitute players must be added including jersey numbers.

Illegal Players: An illegal player is any player who:

Participates in a pre-game warm-up or a game while suspended; or
Is not properly registered with FUJ, LLC; or
Is a rostered goalie who skates out during the game without the approval of the opposing captain.
Is a substitute player with a higher skill level than the player who is missing without approval according to the Substitute Players section.
A substitute player who was not approved by the opponent’s Captain.

Knowingly Using an Illegal Player: It is the responsibility of all team Captains to be aware of who is and isn’t eligible to play for their teams. If the captain is not present at the game, responsibility will fall to a team representative/acting captain. Any player who knowingly plays while being an illegal player as defined above will be suspended a minimum of one game from all teams in the FWSHL. In addition, the Captain (team representative/acting captain if the captain is not present) of the team that the player has illegally played for will be suspended a minimum of one game. FUJ, LLC will review the circumstances surrounding how and why the player was allowed to play on a case by case basis and assess the appropriate suspensions. There will be an automatic game forfeit if a team is caught intentionally using an illegal player. If an illegal player is suspected during the game, the opposing captain must note an “Illegal Player Protest” on the scoresheet. The game will be played in its entirety. After the game, the captains of both teams will be contacted to request additional information and will render its decision regarding whether a forfeit is awarded. Players who are determined to not be registered with FUJ, LLC and will be immediately removed from the game.

If a game is forfeited, individual player statistics for the game will count for the protesting team’s players, and the protesting team will be awarded a win. No goals or assists will be added to the statistics for any players of the forfeiting team; however penalty minutes will be awarded. If there is a tie in the standings when playoff seeding is determined, the final score of 5-0 will be manually applied for tie breaking purposes.

Minimum Players: Teams must have a minimum of 6 rostered skaters in each game for the game to count towards standings. The opposing captain may waive this requirement. If the requirement is not waived and a team has less than 6, the game is forfeited and the opposing team is awarded the win. The players on ice may decide to play the game, however the stats for the forfeiting team will not be counted.

Warm Up Time: Teams will be allowed at least five minutes to warm up prior to the game starting.

Goal Limit: Players may not score more than three goals in regulation play. Additional goals beyond three will not count and no penalty is awarded. The goal limit is removed in overtime play.

Mercy Rule: At any time during the game, if the difference in the score reaches 7 goals, the referee shall instruct the score keeper to change the game time to running clock. If the difference in the score later drops to 6 goals the game time shall return to stop clock.

Team Jerseys: All players and goalies on the same team must have similarly colored jerseys. The jersey for each player and goalie of the team must have a unique number on the back of the jersey. This number must correspond to the number for that player or goalie on the team roster. This requirement is in effect from the opening day of the season. If a player is wearing a different number on their jersey than what is on the roster, the scorekeeper must be notified of the number change before the game starts. Any player who caught playing without a jersey number on the back of their jersey may be removed from the ice.

Names and Logos on Jerseys: Names and logos on jerseys must be in good taste and are subject to review and/or removal by the league. Vulgar, discriminatory, profane or sexual verbiage will not be allowed under any circumstances.

Identification of Captains: Team captains and alternates will wear a “C” or “A” on their jersey. They are the only players who may discuss game situations with the officials. If none of the team captains or alternates are present, the team will appoint a bench captain for the game and notify the officials of this before the start of the game. Goalies may not act as a team captain. Goalies who have acted as captain (organizing the team, making registration payments, etc.) must appoint an on-ice captain during games.

Protests and Complaints: Recognizing that a vital objective of league play is development of concepts of sportsmanship, protests are not favored and normally may be expected to be denied except in instances of an illegal player or gross violation of the rules. Protests which are submitted shall be handled in the following manner:

Winning teams may not file a protest, only losing teams. Protests must be submitted in writing by the team captain to FUJ, LLC within 48 hours of the completion of the game. Emails are acceptable. Protests submitted by any other team member will not be considered. FUJ, LLC will respond to the protest within 72 hours of receipt (unless more prompt response is needed). ALL referees’ judgmental decisions are final and are not subject to protest, appeal or review. **Live Barn will not be used as a tool by captains or players to dispute calls made during games. **

A situation may occur which is not appropriate for protest, but with respect to which a team wishes to complain. In such a case, the same basic procedures as for a protest shall be followed. The result of a complaint will have no effect on a game’s result, but may serve to clarify league, club, team or individual membership actions and policy.

Registration, Fees and Team Rosters: Rosters are populated when the individual players who are expected to be on the team, go online and register him/herself onto the team’s roster. A player is not considered on a team’s roster unless they actually go online and register themselves onto that team’s roster EACH SEASON. It does not matter if they played on the team in previous season or if the captain is counting on them as part of the roster, THEY ARE NOT ON THE ROSTER UNTIL THEY REGISTER WITH THE LEAGUE FOR THE CURRENT SEASON. All rosters are subject to approval prior to player registration. Registration is done online with payments made by credit card or debit card.

Roster Changes: In the event a team is struggling to remain consistently competitive, the captains may decide to allow a team to add players to achieve fair and balanced play.

Schedule Changes: Schedule changes will be made by FUJ, LLC only to accommodate games that cannot be played due to rink equipment failure and the closing of the rink due to inclement weather (hurricanes, blizzards, etc.). Teams that have conflicts with published schedule times have two choices:

Show up and make the best of the game
Not show up and forfeit

Any team that fails to appear for three consecutive games will be removed from the schedule without any refund.

FUJ, LLC offers a 3rd option to try and swap games with other teams. If the team has an issue with a scheduled game the team captain must send us an email *at least 4 days prior* to the game date that they want swapped. We will get back to the team captain with a list of possible dates/times/teams to swap with/or open ice slots. The captain requesting the change must then contact the other captains that would be affected. If any of the other captains declines the swap, all games will remain as scheduled. If all involved captains agree to a swap, email us the agreement and the change will be processed. The League will not take these steps for you. It is the captain’s responsibility to work out their own game swap. If the captain cannot, then the league rules listed above will be followed. Under no circumstances will the league simply cancel a game and reschedule it for a later date.

Game Forfeits: There are three types of game forfeits:

Advanced -prior to the game date and time
At start of game
Forfeit due to use of illegal player

If a team knows in advance that they do not have enough players and must forfeit the game, the team captain should contact FUJ, LLC by email and phone, as well as reach out to their opponents if possible.

The teams may use the ice to practice, only players from their teams are permitted to use the ice; they may not invite anyone else on the ice with them. If neither team has enough players to start the game the game shall be declared a double forfeit. Both teams would get zero (0) points in the standings for this game.

Any team that fails to appear for three consecutive games will be removed from the schedule without any refund.

Use of an Illegal player there will be an automatic game forfeit if a team is caught using an illegal player, Plus Game Suspensions for the player and Captain- Refer to above section Knowingly Using an Illegal Player.

Postponement of games due to inclement weather or equipment failure: Any games postponed due to inclement weather or equipment failure will be communicated to the Captains by the quickest means available (phone, email, etc.) It is important that each team captain set up some way of rapidly communicating with the rest of the team. It is also critical that the captain and alternate captains of each team keep their contact information updated with FUJ, LLC. These games will be rescheduled at the end of the season just before the start of the playoffs. If necessary, the start of the playoff schedule will be delayed to accommodate the make-up games.

Standings: FWSHL.net will be the official site for standings. When an odd number of teams make up a division, occasionally one team may need to play an additional game so that every team plays the specified number of games.

Points: Two points will be awarded for a win in regulation or overtime. One point for an overtime loss.

Tie breakers for teams with the same number of place points:

Most overall wins;
Points awarded in head-to-head competition;
Goal differential in head-to-head competition;
Total goal differential;
Fewest penalty minutes;
Coin Toss

For purposes above, “goal differential” shall be defined as goals for less goals against.

Statistics: Game scores, player and goalie statistics will be kept on FWSHL.net. Captains will have 48 hours ( 2 days) after a game is completed to contact us with any discrepancies on their roster or statistics and only their roster or team statistics. After that 48 hours (2 days) no corrections or changes can or will be made. When the game is over the captain needs to double check the paper score sheet and then sign the paper score sheet verifying the attendance for that game is correct. Once the roster is signed, no changes will be made to the attendance unless what was verified was posted incorrectly on the website.

Playoff Procedures/Schedules: All teams make the playoffs. Single elimination playoffs will be used and consolation game(s) will be included to ensure all teams receive an equal number of playoff games whenever possible. If the number of league teams does not allow for an equal number of playoff games for all teams, the captains will determine the playoff format. Playoff games will utilize 15-minute periods. In the event of a tied game after regulation, a 5 minute sudden death overtime period will be played. If the score remains tied after overtime, the game will be decided by a shootout following NHL rules.

The playoff schedules will be posted on the league schedule page prior to the end of the season.

Substitute Players: All substitute players must be fully registered with FUJ, LLC before the event. Substitute skaters will not be allowed in playoffs. Substitute goalies may be used in regular games and playoffs with consent from the opponent’s Captain and FUJ, LLC officials. Substitute skaters may be subject to a per game fee.

When allowed, Captains may obtain substitute players and goalies when they are missing any number of players and meet the following conditions:

The skill level of the sub meets the requirements for the league; and
The skill level of the sub does not exceed the level of the player that is missing; and
The total number of players does not exceed the number of rostered players.

In the event of uneven match-ups in regular season games, it may become necessary to obtain a substitute player that is a higher skill level than the missing player in an effort to maintain a fair and competitive balance. In such situations, approval from the opponent’s Captain must be obtained prior to the game. If the Captains are unable to reach an agreement, FUJ, LLC officials will make a final determination.

The Captains must inform each other if they are missing any players and provide the details of intended substitutions for approval by the opposing Captain, and work together to balance the teams. Substitutes are not required unless the team does not meet the Minimum Player rules.

Suspensions: The suspended player list will be posted on the league web site. Suspensions will be posted on the day after the game in which the infraction occurs.

If a hearing is required, FUJ, LLC will make every effort to ensure the hearing is held within 14 days of the offense.

Carry-over suspensions: Game suspensions assessed but not served before the end of a season will be served at the beginning of the next season in which the player participates. If a player does not re-register for the same team he earned the suspension on, the suspension will carry over to the next team.

Non-Rostered Sub Goalie suspensions: Will be suspended from playing as sub goalie from all teams until such time the suspension term for the original team has been served.

Right To Modify: FUJ, LLC reserves the right to modify our rules and procedures at any time without notice in order to improve the services we provide. Any changes will be communicated to the affected Captains and updated on our website.

Equipment: All players are required to wear full hockey equipment including a face mask or face shield. Mouth guards are strongly recommended, but are optional. Players not wearing the required equipment will be assessed a minor penalty and will not be allowed to play until the proper equipment is in place.

Required equipment: (all equipment must be approved for ice hockey use)

Helmet
Elbow pads
Mid-section protection – hockey pants or girdle/shell
Gloves
Knee/shin protectors
Full or partial face protection
Ice Skates

Strongly recommended, but optional equipment:

Mouth guard
Shoulder/chest protector

Misconduct Penalties (Excessive penalties): If a player receives three penalties in a game, he/she will be excused from the remainder of the game with no game suspension. If a player receives five penalties in a game, the player will receive a game misconduct and a one game suspension.

If a team receives 8 penalties in a game, the game will be terminated. If the offending team is losing, the score will be recorded as the final game result. If the offending team is winning or tied, the score sheet will still reflect goals, penalties, shots etc, up to the point where the game is Terminated. If there is a tie in the standings when playoff seeding is determined, the final score of 2-0 Loss for the offending team will be manually applied for tie breaking purposes.

Supplementary Discipline: FUJ, LLC, at their sole discretion, will investigate any incident that occurs in connection with any game and will assess additional suspensions for offenses that may occur before, during the game, or after the game, whether or not the offense has been penalized by the referee.

To remove any conflicts of interest in supplemental discipline proceedings, FUJ, LLC will convene a disciplinary panel (“DP”) which consists of the captains whose teams/players/fans were not involved in the incident. The DP is charged with conducting an investigation, reviewing the situation for violations of FUJ, LLC rules and/or expectations of conduct. issuing discipline, and generating and presenting (upon request) a report to the full captains’ group, the commissioner, and/or the owner(s) of FWSHL and FUJ, LLC. The report must include the vote count for the action(s) taken. In the event of a split decision, the owner and/or the commissioner may appoint one additional, independent individual to participate in the proceedings and cast the tiebreaking vote(s). The owner(s) of FUJ, LLC is responsible for communicating the findings and decisions to the participant(s) or may authorize another individual to perform this function.

As part of its review, the DP will

Solicit and review testimony, statements, and/or interviews from participants, witnesses, and official(s),
Review LiveBarn or other footage if available, and
Conduct other investigative procedures or inquiries as they deem appropriate.

The DP may consult with a paid rules expert upon request to, and approval by, FUJ, LLC.

The DP may, at its sole discretion, revise its decision within 48 hours of issuing its report should the DP believe facts and circumstances warrant a revision. When this 48 hour window has expired, the DP’s decision is final.

Language that is Offensive, Hateful, or Discriminatory: A Match Penalty will be assessed by the referees to anyone they hear using language that is offensive, hateful or discriminatory in nature anywhere in the rink before, during or after the game.

Physical abuse of officials: Any player who physically abuses or threatens physical abuse of any league official, the referees, or score keeper shall be permanently expelled from the league. Threatening physical abuse includes, but is not limited to: chasing the official, making verbal threats towards the official, bumping the official, touching or grabbing the official, or acting in any way that would make the official fear for his or her safety. Permanent expulsion means the player has a lifetime ban on playing for any FWSHL teams in any capacity.

Other Misconduct: Any player who verbally threatens another player (as noted above) may be permanently expelled from the league. This includes threats made before, during or after the game.

Fighting or fisticuffs: Any player given a fighting penalty will be suspended a minimum of five games for the first offense, and may be permanently expelled from the FWSHL for the second offense and will forfeit any fees paid. Fighting, for the purposes of FWSHL includes, but is not limited to the following:

Punching, or attempting to punch another player. A Punch, or an attempted punch, thrown by any player in the direction of an opponent, regardless as to whether contact is made, is considered fighting.
Any quarrel or wrestling between players that requires stoppage of play or disruption in the game to resolve or break up.

A Major Plus a Game Misconduct penalty shall be assessed to ANY PLAYER who engages in Fighting. An additional Minor penalty shall be assessed to any player who starts or instigates a fight.

A Minor, Double Minor or Major Plus game Misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the referee, shall be assessed to any player who, having been struck, continues the altercation by retaliating. A player who does not retaliate after being struck shall not be assessed a penalty for fighting under USA Hockey Rule.

Icing: The FWSHL uses the red line for icing calls.

Slashing: Officials shall award a minor penalty to any player who makes stick contact with a goalie while in the crease, who has covered or caught the puck, regardless of whether or not the Referee has stopped play.

FUJ, LLC, at their discretion may assess additional suspensions to any player who intentionally or unintentionally swings his stick at an opponent or injures an opponent as a result of slashing.

Start of Game and Periods: If the start of a game is delayed by events that are not the responsibility of the teams participating in the game, e.g., the ice is not resurfaced on time, an earlier game runs over the allotted time slot, etc., then the game curfew time shall be adjusted so that the full one hour and 20 minutes is allowed. Any questions regarding game curfew times shall be referred to the team captains before the game starts.

If the start of a game is delayed by a team failing to appear on the ice promptly, the situation shall be addressed under Rule 633B.

If a team does not have enough players on the ice to begin the game after the designated warm-up period has ended, the referee shall direct the scorekeeper to place 5 minutes on the clock and start the clock. If, after the 5 minutes have expired, a team still does not have enough players on the ice to start the game, the game shall be declared a forfeit in favor of the opposing team. If neither team has enough players to start the game the game shall be declared a double forfeit. Both teams would get zero (0) points in the standings for this game.

Time of Match: All regular season games shall consist of three 17-minute, stop-clock periods. In the event of a tie at the end of a regular season game, no overtime period will be played and each team will be awarded one point in the standings. Playoff games shall consist of three 15-minute, stop clock periods. There will be two minutes allowed between periods. The ice will not be resurfaced between periods. All games must be completed in the one hour, 20 minute curfew time. Before the third period starts the officials will confirm that at least 30 minutes remain in the ice slot. If less than 30 minutes remain, the official will direct the scorer to put half of the time remaining on the clock for the third period.

Tied Games: If the game ends in a tie, and if time allows, there will be a one minute break, then a 5-minute running time of 5-on-5 sudden death overtime play. Overtime play goes by the NHL point system. During playoff games if the score remains tied after the overtime period, the game will be decided by a shootout following NHL rules. Each team gets three attempts to score during a shootout. Whichever team scores the most goals out of these three shots wins the game. If the score is tied after three attempts, sudden-death rounds will determine the winner. Each team will have the opportunity to shoot in the sudden death rounds. The team that wins the next frame in the shootout wins the game. Players can participate in the shootout as long as they are not serving a misconduct penalty, game misconduct penalty, or match penalty.