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DEFENDER HOCKEY TOURNAMENTS

ABOUT US

Founded in 2019, Defender Hockey Tournaments offers competitive youth hockey tournaments year-round for all ages from mites through midgets. We value sports and entertainment and believe our events should be both fun and competitive. We also believe our customers should be rewarded with a unique experience as soon as they walk into the ice arena. Our dedicated staff is committed to providing excellent customer service to all of our clients, on and off the ice!

In order to ensure that all the Defender Hockey Tournaments are of the highest quality and have the same great features, it is important that each team participating adhere to the procedure listed below.  Failure to follow these rules can result in the forfeit of a team’s spot in a tournament.

Approval and Registering:

  • In order to compete in a tournament, teams must receive consent from Defender Hockey.

Payment:

Full payment must be received 60 days prior the event or Defender Hockey reserves the right to remove your team.

  • Online:
    • While completing registration for an event, teams have the option to pay in full by using credit card or sending payment in the mail by check
    • Accepted credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover.
  • If Paying by Check:
    • Check must be made out to “Defender Hockey”
    • Checks must be mailed to:

Patriot Ice Arena

attn Defender

101 John F Campbell Rd

Newark, DE 19711

Withdrawing:

In the event that a team must withdraw from a tournament after committing, please refer to the following policies:

  • The $500 deposit made within 10 days of registering is non-refundable.
  • If teams withdraw less than 45 days before the tournament begins, they forfeit the full cost of the tournament.

Other Requirements:

  • Teams must submit both a copy of their signed official USA Hockey or Hockey Canada roster, as well as one that includes players’ full names, jersey numbers, positions, and date of birth to Defender Hockey no later than 30 days before the tournament.
  • Out-of-town teams must stay in the hotels provided by Defender Hockey. Information regarding hotels is included in the registration confirmation email.
  • Teams must be prepared to play by 8:00 am on the first day of the tournament and have their final game end at 4:00 pm.

Defender Hockey Tournaments is governed by the rules of USA Hockey, and it is the responsibility of each player, coach, and team manager to be familiar with these rules and ensure all participating players and coaches are registered with USA Hockey for insurance purposes.

The tournament director shall be responsible for resolving all inquiries or disputes regarding off-ice rule application or interpretation, player eligibility, disciplinary action, and any other procedural disputes. He/she will not overturn any dispute concerning rules and/or the judgment applied by on-ice officials. All decisions of the tournament director are final.

**Note: The tournament director reserves the right to add to, amend, or remove any tournament procedure, policy or rule prior to the start of the tournament. **

  1. All team representatives (manager and/or coach) must check in at the tournament facility at least one (1) hour before his/her team’s first scheduled game.
  2. All teams must use the locker room assigned to them during check-in.
    1. It is the team managers’/representatives’ responsibility to ensure that the locker room is maintained and kept clean (no trash/tape / food or drink on the floor) prior to vacating the locker room after each game. The team manager/representative is responsible for all damage done to the locker room, equipment in the locker, or the facility.
    2. Each team/team manager is responsible for the safeguarding of all team items in the locker rooms. The facility and/or host organization assume no liability or responsibility for any theft or damage due to team negligence.
  3. All team representatives are responsible for checking for any schedule changes, suspensions, and other important information before each scheduled game.
  4. All teams must be ready to begin play fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled start time of each game. The scorekeeper will begin a three (3) minute warm-up period when the Zamboni doors are closed.
  5. All teams may occupy the players’ bench prior to the completion of the ice resurfacing. All players shall remain off the ice surface until the Zamboni doors have been completely closed and on-ice officials are present.
  6. Anyone on the players’ bench must be listed on the team’s tournament roster. All parents, visitors, and spectators are to remain away from the players’ bench and penalty box areas.
  7. It is the responsibility of the home team to obtain the game sheet prior to the start of the game and provide it to the scorekeeper. The game sheet will already be affixed with rosters from both teams.
  8. The scorekeeper will return the completed score sheet after each game. All teams shall report any discrepancies to the rink coordinator prior to leaving the facility.
  1. Hotel Policy – Teams are required to stay in Defender Hockey designated hotels for the duration of the event. Violation of this policy will result in the removal of the team from our event without a refund.
  2. Alcoholic products are prohibited outside of the common viewing area upstairs. Anyone abusing alcoholic products will be asked to leave.
  3. Ambulance Service – To insure the quickest response time, anyone may contact the EMT Services (911) in the event of an emergency situation. Any trips to the hospital using the transportation of an ambulance service or any other means that require payment of a service fee is the responsibility of the transported and/or his/her family or guardian.
  4. All on-ice officials are currently and completely registered and in good standing with USA Hockey and their respective State Association or the International Ice Hockey Federation, (IIHF).
  5. Defender Hockey supports the USA Hockey zero tolerance initiatives for verbal abuse of any player, official, parent, or spectator. The Tournament Director or rink staff reserves the right to remove any violator from the premises.
  6. Damages – Any person causing damage to the tournament facility will be fined commensurate with the damage and will be removed from the premises and/or suspended from all facility activities until the fine is paid in full. All persons are subject to prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.
  7. Monitoring: It is the policy of USA Hockey that all teams have at least one responsible adult (head/assistant coach or other approved team personnel) directly monitoring the locker room during all tournament events to ensure that only participants (coaches and players), and other approved team personnel are permitted in the locker room to supervise the conduct in and around the locker rooms at all times while participants are present. Non-team personnel, including parents and family members, are discouraged from entering locker rooms unless it is truly necessary. Arena policies pertaining to Covid-19 restrictions/adults permitted in the locker rooms must be followed by all teams attending a Defender event.
  8. Benches & Penalty Boxes – Reserved only for players and off-ice personnel who are in compliance with USA Hockey requirements. Photos and videos are not permitted.
  9. Team Placement – Teams are placed in tournament divisions based on their official USA Hockey roster.

DEFENDER TOURNAMENT RULES Fall/Winter 2024-2025

ALL AGE CLASSIFICATIONS ARE BASED ON 2024/2025 SEASON

All USA Hockey playing rules apply.

  • 3 Game minimum in Delaware.
  • 4 Game Minimum in all other locations.

Penalty Box: Each team is responsible for providing its own penalty box attendant.

Warm Ups: A three (3) minute warm-up will take place before the start time of the game. Pucks will NOT be provided. Please bring warm-up pucks for your team.

Time Outs: One 30-second timeout is permitted per team per game.

Length of Periods: All games will be 3 x 13 minute periods.

Rosters: Only eligible players on your USA Hockey roster are eligible to participate in the tournament.

Round Robin OT: All games will be played to completion. Preliminary games if tied after regulation will go to a Sudden Death shootout. 1 vs 1. New shooter for every shot. Any player that has a penalty on the clock going into a shootout is ineligible to shoot.

Playoff game OT: If there is a tie at the end of regulation play, a 5-minute run time 3 vs 3 sudden death period will be played. If the overtime does not present a winner, then a shootout consisting of 1 player from each team will be used to determine a winner. 1 vs 1. Any player that has a penalty on the clock going into a shootout is ineligible to shoot.

Mercy Rule: The mercy rule shall be in effect. If a team at any point during the third period is leading by 6 or more goals, the clock will revert to running time. If the difference is reduced to 3 goals or less, the clock will revert back to stop time.

Penalties: Penalty times will be as follows: Minor 1:30 minutes, Major 4:00 minutes, Misconduct 7:30 minutes. Any player who receives 4 penalties in a game will be suspended for the next game. Any player who receives a major penalty will automatically be ejected from the remainder of the game in which the infraction occurs, plus the next game.

Division Scoring: All divisions will be scored per game as follows:

  • Three (3) points for a win in regulation.
  • Two (2) points for an OT Win.
  • One (1) point for an OT loss.

Tie Breakers: In the event of a tie for playoff seeding, the following criteria will be used to determine the team’s placement. If more than 2 teams tied, skip to tiebreaker 3:

  1. Total team points
  2. Head to Head
  3. GF/(GF+GA) highest percentage advancing
  4. Most wins
  5. Least amount of goals against
  6. Most shutouts
  7. Least penalty minutes

(SEE TIEBREAKER VISUAL BELOW FOR MORE INFO)

Forfeited Games: Any forfeited games will be recorded as a 3-0 score.

Goal Differential: The maximum goal differential attainable per game is +/- 6.

The tournament director will answer all questions. There are NO cowbells or horns allowed in the stands. Parents/fans are to conduct themselves in a respectable manner according to USA Hockey Rules. Coaches or players reprimanding the referees will not be tolerated. Any fisticuffs during the tournament result in automatic suspension from the tournament games. Teams must be prepared to begin a game 15 minutes ahead of schedule.

All referee decisions are final. The tournament director(s) will not overrule the referee’s decision! We ask that the coaches, players, and spectators be courteous and respectful to the referees. We support the “ZERO TOLERANCE” rule regarding on-ice and off-ice conduct. Any inappropriate behavior may be subject to ejection from the game or rink.

GOOD LUCK!

Tiebreaker Visual:

DEFENDER TOURNAMENT RULES Spring/Summer 2024

ALL AGE CLASSIFICATIONS ARE BASED ON 2024/2025 SEASON

3 Game minimum

Penalty Box:  Each team is responsible for providing its own penalty box attendant.

Warm Ups:  A three (3) minute warm up will take place before the start time of the game. Pucks will NOT be provided. Please bring warm up pucks for your team.

Time Outs:  One 30 second timeout is permitted per team per game.

Length of Periods: All games will be 3 x 13 minute periods.

Rosters:

Rosters are frozen the first day of the tournament. Players can only play on one team during the tournament (Unless has authorizing from Tournament Director)

Round Robin OT:

All games will be played to completion. 

Preliminary games if tied after regulation will go to a Sudden Death shootout. 1 vs 1 . New shooter for every shot.  Any player that has a penalty on the clock going into a shootout is Ineligible to shoot

Playoff game OT:

If there is a tie at the end of regulation play, a 5-minute run time, 3 vs 3 sudden death period will be played. If the overtime does not present a winner, then a shootout, consisting of 1 player from each team will be used to determine a winner. 1 vs 1

Any player that has a penalty on the clock going into a shootout is Ineligible to shoot

Defender Hockey reserves the right to change Sunday opponents in final game match-ups that are not consequential to the championship. Requests will not be accepted.

No games will be protested.

Period Break:  There will be a one (1) minute break between each period.

Mercy Rule:  The mercy rule shall be in effect. If a team at any point during the third period is leading by 6 or more goals the clock will revert to running time. If the difference is reduced 3 goals or less the clock will revert back to stop time.

Penalties:  Penalty times will be as follows: Minor 1:30 minutes, Major 4:00 minutes, Misconduct 7:30 minutes.

Any player who receives 4 penalties in a game will be suspended for the next game.

Any player who receives a major penalty (i.e. fighting, spearing, kicking, etc.) will automatically be ejected from the remainder of the game in which the infraction occurs, plus the next game. In the event that a major penalty occurs, the official must note on the game sheet whether the infraction includes a game misconduct.

Division Scoring:  All divisions will be scored per game as follows:

  1. Three (3) points for a win
  2. Two (2) point for a OT Win
  3. OT Loss (1) points for a OT loss

Tie Breakers: In the event of a tie for playoff seeding, the following criteria will be used to determine the team’s placement. If more than 2 teams tied, skip to tiebreaker 3: 

  1. Total team points
  2. Head to Head
  3. GF/(GF+GA) highest percentage advancing
  4. Most wins
  5. Least amount of goals against
  6. Most shutouts
  7. Least penalty minutes

(SEE TIEBREAKER VISUAL BELOW FOR MORE INFO)

Forfeited Games:  Any forfeited games will be recorded as a 3-0 score.

Goal Differential:  The maximum goal differential attainable per game is +/-  6.

Playoffs or Championship only!
If there is a tie at the end of regulation play, a 5-minute run time 3 vs 3 sudden death period will be played. If the overtime does not present a winner, then a shootout, consisting of 1 player from each team will be used to determine a winner.
•    The tournament director will answer all questions
•    There are NO cow bells or horns allowed in the stands
•    Parents/fans are to conduct themselves in a respectable manner according to USA Hockey Rules. Coaches or players reprimanding the referees will not be tolerated. Any fisticuffs during the tournament result in automatic suspension from the tournament games.
•    Teams must be prepared to begin a game 15 minutes ahead of schedule.
•    The Tournament Coordinator will do his or her best to honor any request.
•    The tournament director will answer all questions
•    Parents/fans are to conduct themselves in a respectable manner according to USA Hockey Rules. Coaches or players reprimanding the referees will not be tolerated. Any fisticuffs during the tournament result in automatic suspension from the tournament games.
•    All referee decisions are final. The tournament director(s) will not overrule the referee’s decision! Keep in mind that there are only two referees on the ice and over 100 spectators during the game. We ask that the coaches, players, and spectators be courteous and respectful to the referees. We support the “ZERO TOLERANCE” rule regarding on-ice and off-ice conduct. Any inappropriate behavior may be subject to ejection from the game or rink. Please keep in mind that amateur youth hockey is for recreation and the referees are not professionals. Any appropriate complaints must be addressed by your coaches with a tournament director. Those parents/fans not following the ZERO TOLERANCE rule will be removed from the arena. GOOD LUCK!!

Tiebreaker Visual:

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