Lakeland Hockey Association

The LHA Mini-mite and Mite divisions are instructional in nature.  The emphasis is to be placed on skill development and fun.  The importance of winning and losing hockey games is to be de-emphasized.  Positive reinforcement should be used at all times.  Sportsmanship should be taught.  Officials are to be respected.  Coaches must make every effort for games to be as even as possible in regards to line matching, although this cannot always occur (due to absenteeism, etc.).  Coaches MUST make every effort to educate players and parents of this philosophy.

1.       Home team coach has line change responsibilities, i.e., he informs the opposing coach of his/her lines prior to the game, and indicates such on the score sheet.

a.       Rotation will always follow RED, GREEN, BLUE, regardless of which line starts the game (determined by the home coach).

b.       Timekeeper is to be provided by the home team and be assisted by a representative from the visitor’s team who is responsible for the score sheet (only two people).

c.       All players are to receive as close to equal ice time as possible.

2.       Teams will be set up on a three (3) line basis.  The first line will be the RED LINE consisting of the FIVE BEST PLAYERS.  The third line will be the BLUE LINE consisting of the FIVE WEAKEST PLAYERS.  The second, or middle, line will be the GREEN LINE consisting of the players that fall into the MIDDLE CATEGORY in ability.  The GREEN LINE is also the “fill” line in case of absenteeism (see rule 5 concerning absenteeism).

a.       In the event that the head coaches cannot agree on the placement of the five weakest players on each team, then each head coach will designate the opposing teams’ five weakest players.

b.       GREEN LINE will be filled by all RED LINE or all BLUE LINE players (RED LINE players must play defense).  All fill players must follow a rotation so that all players are played evenly.

c.       GREEN LINE FILL – BLUE LINE starts on weekends

     -RED LINE starts on weekdays

d.       Failure to comply with the above rules will be grounds for head coach suspension and will be subject to disciplinary action.

3.       The goaltender may be pulled only if the game is within two (2) goals in the last two (2) minutes of the third period.

a.       When the goalie is pulled, the coach must put an extra skater from the LINE ABOVE.  Example:  If GREEN LINE is on the ice, a RED LINE player is used.

b.       Mini-Mite Division – Any player who desires to play goaltender shall.  Coaches are to use as many different goaltenders as possible.  No player shall play goaltender two (2) consecutive games.

4.       Substitution for an injured player follows the same procedure as the procedure for substitution of the goaltender, providing there is no imbalance on the GREEN LINE.

a.       Any player inserted in the net for an injured goaltender must wear all the goaltender’s protective equipment.

5.       Absent players must be listed on the score sheet and designated as absent and reported to the opposing coach.  Coaches must meet before a game to iron out any problems that may arise from absent players.

6.       All games will be twelve (12) minute periods, with two (2) minute shifts.  The clock will stop for twenty (20) seconds between shifts.

a.       The final two (2) minute may be played in stop time for games that are within one (1) goal, ONLY if confirmed by the referee, and TIME ALLOWS.

7.       There is no time, for any reason, except injury, which the referee will automatically call.

8.       No coach may use a player for any reason other then the ones on his roster.  This includes tournaments and scrimmages.

9.       Penalties are two (2) minutes.  (Penalties:  When rotation shift ends, next shift comes out with 5 skaters & penalized player serves the rest of his penalty in the box unless it is the next player in the rotation.  In which case he serves the remainder of his penalty and the shift skates shorthanded.  Penalty times remain the same as stated in the USA Playing Rules). 

10.   There will be no standings or statistics kept, recorded, or published.