tournament

rules

PARTICIPATION PROCEDURES POLICIES FALL/WINTER RULES SPRING/SUMMER RULES MITE RULES

PARTICIPATION

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 participating team adhere to the procedures listed below. Failure to follow these procedures can result in the forfeit of a team’s spot in a tournament.

Registration & Approval:

In order to compete in a tournament, teams must register online and receive approval from Defender Hockey.

Registration is available online and tournament entry and non-refundable deposit fees are payable via Credit Card at the time of registration.
Acceptance into a tournament is granted upon successful completion and verification of online team registration, payment of a $500 non-refundable deposit or payment in full, and submission of any required documentation or waivers at the time of registration.
Registration and approval guidelines for each tournament may vary and if so, any additional requirements will be listed on the individual tournament web page.

Payment:

While completing online registration for an event, teams may use a credit/debit card to pay a non-refundable $500 deposit with the remaining balance due 60 days prior to the start of the event, or pay in full at the time of registration.

Accepted credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover.
Registration for an event will not be accepted without successful payment of the required $500 non-refundable deposit or payment in full.

Scheduling Requests:

While tournament staff will review all scheduling accommodation requests, they cannot be guaranteed. The tournament game schedule takes priority, and requests falling within peak scheduling windows are especially difficult to accommodate.

After registration closes and divisions are finalized, requests will be reviewed in the order received, and accommodations will be made if possible, provided they do not negatively impact the division or overall tournament schedule.
No schedule requests will be accepted or reviewed once final schedule communications have completed.

Withdrawal & Refunds:

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

The $500 deposit made at the time of registration is non-refundable.
If teams withdraw less than 45 days before the tournament begins, the full cost of the tournament is forfeited and no refund will be given.
If teams withdraw more than 45 days before the tournament begins, and the team has paid in full, a full or partial refund (less the non-refundable deposit) may be given.
In certain circumstances, and depending on the nature of the withdrawal, registration entry fee and/or non-refundable deposit may be applied to a future event.

Other Requirements:

Teams must submit their signed/certified official USA Hockey or Hockey Canada roster at the time of registration by providing the URL/link to the Official Certified Roster that is generated after a team's roster is submitted and approved by USA Hockey or Hockey Canada. Rosters must be received no later than 45 days before the tournament. If required by the team's state and/or affiliate, a Travel Permit must also be submitted.
Defender tournament events are Stay to Play. Out-of-town teams with a home rink more than 75 miles from the tournament rink are required to stay in Defender Hockey designated hotels for the duration of the event. Information regarding hotels is included in the registration confirmation email.
Teams must be prepared to play by approximately 7:00 AM local time on the first day of the tournament. Final games are expected to be completed by 6:00 PM local time on the last day of the tournament.

PROCEDURES

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.

a. 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.

b. 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.

9. Team representatives may report score sheet discrepancies to the rink coordinator prior to leaving the facility or in writing via
email to tournaments@defenderhockey.com before the next game. Acceptable changes include corrections affecting player USA Hockey patch eligibility (hat trick/playmaker/zero club), goalie minutes, penalties assigned to the wrong player, and participation errors. No additional assists may be added. Score sheets will be updated on the tournament website as soon as practicable once verified. Player stat tracking may vary by division, and all final decisions rest with the Tournament Staff—on-ice rulings will not be overturned.

10. 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.**

POLICIES

Hotel Policy: Defender tournament events are Stay to Play. ALL teams with a home rink more than 60 miles from the tournament rink are required to stay in Defender Hockey designated hotels for the duration of the event. Teams MUST book rooms through Defender Tournaments official event hotels and the link provided. No other rates (including corporate/ AAA/government rates), discounts, or hotel reward points regardless of how acquired, will be allowed. Please ensure your team/team members are in compliance. Failure to follow and or circumvent procedures and obligations will result in removal from the tournament, forfeiture of tournament fees, and forfeiture of team eligibility for a complimentary room awarded to the team.
Alcohol Products: Alcohol products are prohibited outside of the common viewing area upstairs. Anyone abusing alcoholic products will be asked to leave.
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.
On-Ice Officials: 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).
Zero Tolerance: 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.
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.
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.
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.
Team Placement: Teams are placed in tournament divisions based on several factors, which may include: number of teams registered in a particular age group and/or division, the division/level the team entered at registration, the team's registration with USA Hockey or governing body, the teams placement in their local league, and the record of the team in league play (assuming a record exists), national rankings, current team performance, etc. Tournament teams with no record of play are placed based on either knowledge of other teams in their local area or league, or from discussion with the respective coach and team manager to gain an understanding of their play, compared to others. The tournament staff, at their sole discretion, may align teams or change teams in any particular division or skill level, and/or distribute teams equally to obtain a balanced division, schedule, format and/or competitive level of play.
Scheduling Requests: Scheduling requests may be submitted at time of registration but are not guaranteed. After registration closes and divisions are finalized, requests will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Rosters: Players can only be rostered on one (1) team and will NOT be allowed to play for multiple teams, regardless of what division the teams are in. No players can be added to the roster at game time. No combining of teams/players or substitutions will be accepted. In the event of a player injury, certain/extenuating circumstances or other urgent need (e.g. emergency goalie), exceptions and/or substitute player eligibility will be determined and reviewed for approval on a case-by-case basis.

FALL/WINTER RULES

DEFENDER TOURNAMENT RULES Fall/Winter 2026-2027

Defender Hockey Tournaments are 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.

** NOTE: All Mite level tournament games will be played on either half-ice or cross-ice. Full Ice Mite events are not sanctioned by USAH and therefore no USAH insurance will be in effect. **

All participating teams must be properly registered with USAH and provide a copy of the teams Official Approved Roster (1-T) to Tournament Host/Director prior to participation.

Only USAH registered Officials will be used to officiate tournament games.

All USAH playing rules will be followed.

ALL AGE CLASSIFICATIONS ARE BASED ON 2026/2027 SEASON.

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. NOTE: Face-Off/Puck Drop will be at the scheduled start time. Games will not start early—teams may step onto the ice 5–7 minutes before puck drop to get settled, warm up, and prepare for the face-off. However, the official face-off will remain at the scheduled game start time.

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:

Total team points
Head to Head
GF/(GF+GA) highest percentage advancing
Most wins
Least amount of goals against
Most shutouts
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.

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:

SPRING/SUMMER RULES

DEFENDER TOURNAMENT RULES Spring/Summer 2026

Defender Hockey Tournaments’ Spring/Summer events are sanctioned internally by Defender and are independent of USA Hockey.

ALL AGE CLASSIFICATIONS ARE BASED ON THE UPCOMING 2026/2027 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. NOTE: Face-Off/Puck Drop will be at the scheduled start time. Games will not start early—teams may step onto the ice 5–7 minutes before puck drop to get settled, warm up, and prepare for the face-off. However, the official face-off will remain at the scheduled game start time.

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.

Any player or coach assessed a Match Penalty shall be immediately ejected from the current game and is ineligible to participate in any remaining tournament games or tournament-related activities. This determination follows our established “remainder of tournament, no exceptions” disciplinary model for Match Penalties and is intended to promote consistency, sportsmanship, player safety, and tournament integrity during independent spring/summer competition.

Suspensions resulting from Game Misconducts, Match Penalties, or Fighting Majors are final and shall not be subject to review or appeal by tournament staff. In addition, on-ice officials’ decisions are final and are not subject to protest or appeal during the event, except in cases of clear administrative error (e.g., mistaken identity or incorrect player assignment).

Tournament staff reserve the right to impose supplemental discipline as warranted.

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

Three (3) points for a win
Two (2) point for a OT Win
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:

Total team points
Head to Head
GF/(GF+GA) highest percentage advancing
Most wins
Least amount of goals against
Most shutouts
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 coordinator will answer all questions and will do his or her best to honor any request.
• There are NO cow bells or horns allowed in the stands for any games
• 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! 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:

MITE RULES

Teams will play two-25 minute periods

4v4 game format

All teams should have a goalie dressed for each game

Coaches will keep score and report them to the scorekeeper at the games end

All games will change on the fly

Center ice face-offs will be conducted after all goals

The puck will be placed behind the net after goalie covers

Referees will award a penalty shot for all penalties committed

Ice cut will be performed after every 2 games, dividing boards will be used

Teams can use players’ benches for their players

Champions will receive a banner and gold Medals

Runner-up will receive Silver medals

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. Highest percentage advancing

5. Most wins

6. Least amount of goals against

7. Most shutouts

8. Coin toss

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

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

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