Bylaws & Regulations

Bylaws of NEAHL

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Rules and Regulations of NEAHL

Table of Contents



BYLAW 1.     MEMBERSHIP

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A.    Minor hockey associations within the geographical boundaries as set out below are eligible for membership.

Boundaries

West
Starting at highway 12, north on highway 36 to highway 16; including Caster and Viking but excluding Killiam.  West on highway 16 to Vegreville, north on secondary 857 to Vilna, then north on 55 to include Kikinio, Lac La Biche and Plamondon.
North
Starting at Lac La Biche, east on highway 55 to Meadow Lake, including Cold Lake.
East
Starting at Meadow Lake southeast on 304 to highway 26, south to Turtleford, east on 303 to highway 21, south to highway 40, including Maidstone, west to highway 17, including Nielburg, south to highway 13, including Macklin, west on highway 13 to highway 41, south to highway 12 at Consort.
South
On highway 12 from Consort to Castor

Any Hockey Association from outside the boundary may apply for membership on a year-to-year basis.  Membership can only be obtained by a motion at the annual meeting or a regular general meeting.  Therefore out of boundary associations must get yearly acceptance.

B.    All members have the following equal rights:
To have there teams participate in league play
To sponsor changes to the bylaws and regulations.
To send a director to participate and vote at the annual meetings.
To appeal the decision of a governor or deputy.
To protest the outcome of game.

C.    All members are responsible for behaving in accordance to the bylaws and objectives of the NEAHL.

D.    All minor hockey associations with teams registered in the NEAHL must be members of Hockey Alberta or SAHA.

BYLAW 2.  FEES

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A.    Registration fees shall be set at the annual general meeting and be paid before the first game.

BYLAW 3.   WITHDRAWAL OF MEMBERSHIP

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A.    Voluntary
A member may withdraw, without forfeiting their bond, if written application is received between hockey seasons.  If, after one-year leave the association does not want to return, the bond will be automatically refunded.  Any association out for two or more years can only regain membership by a motion at a general meeting.

B.    Expulsion
Associations that fail to pay fees, provide executive or league governors, or follow NEAHL rules may be expelled by the either the executive or by a motion at a general meeting.  Any member may be expelled for any reason by a motion at a general meeting.

BYLAW 4.   MEETINGS

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A.    The NEAHL shall hold an annual general meeting (Board of Directors meeting) before September l, at a place determined by the Executive.  Members will be given 21 days written notice.  Motions to amend or alter the bylaws must be made in writing to the executive 14 days prior to the meeting date.  The secretary shall send the proposed amendment to each member 10 days before the meeting.

B.    The order of business for directors meetings shall be:
(1)    Minutes
(2)    Treasurer's report
(3)    Commissioner's report
(4)    Governors' report
(5)    Correspondence
(6)    Business arising from the minutes.
(7)    New business.
(8)    Elections, at an annual general meeting.
(9)    Adjournment.

C.    A general meeting shall be called any time that: two-thirds of the Executive request one or one half of the Directors request one.

D.     A special directors meeting may be called by the commissioner with 24 hours notice.

E.     The Executive Committee shall meet as necessary to operate the NEAHL according to the Bylaws and Regulations.

BYLAW 5.   QUORUM & VOTING

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A.    A quorum shall be present before a vote is valid.

B.     A quorum shall be one more than half of the executive for executive meetings and more than half the directors for directors meetings.

C.    At Board of Directors meetings each minor hockey association with teams registered in NEAHL the previous season shall have one vote

D.    At Executive meetings each executive officer shall have one vote, except the commissioner who shall only vote in the event of a tie.

E.   Election of executive officers shall be by secret ballot

BYLAW 6.  BOARD OF DIRECTORS & TERM OF OFFICE

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A.   Before the NEAHL fall meeting each member Minor Hockey Association shall appoint one director from their executive to form the NEAHL Board of Directors.  The NEAHL secretary must be notified at least 24 hours before any directors meetings of any change in directors.

B.    Directors will be appointed annually.

BYLAW 7.    BOARD OF DIRECTORS' DUTIES

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A.    The Board of Directors shall operate the NEAHL according to the Constitution Bylaws and Regulations.

B.    The Board of Directors may by a two-thirds majority vote suspend any member whose conduct is considered detrimental to the best interests of the NEAHL.

BYLAW 8.    DIRECTORS DUTIES

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A.   The Directors are responsible to the NEAHL for their minor hockey
associations.

B.   The Directors represent and vote for their minor hockey association.

C.   The Directors ensure that their association executive, coaches and managers know the NEAHL Bylaws and Regulations.

D.    If a director fails to perform his/her duties to the satisfaction of the Executive the director may be removed from office by a motion at any executive meeting and the member association asked to appoint an other.

BYLAW 9.    EXECUTIVE AND TERM OF OFFICE

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A.    The Executive shall consist of: commissioner, deputy commissioner, secretary, treasurer, past commissioner and four category league governors.

B.    The commissioner, treasurer, midget and peewee governors shall be elected in even-numbered years; the secretary, deputy commissioner, bantam and atom governors shall be elected in odd numbered years.

C.    The elections shall take place at the spring meeting with terms of two years.  Nominees do not need to be directors or minor hockey association executive.

BYLAW 10.    EXECUTIVE DUTIES

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A.    The executive shall be responsible to the Board of Directors.

B.    Every year each member Minor Hockey Association shall provide one nominee for an executive member or league governor position as required. Registration will not be accepted otherwise.

C.  The executive shall appoint the necessary deputy governors for each league for a one-year term.

D.    The executive may appoint members to fill vacancies until the next annual meeting.

BYLAW 11.   EXECUTIVES’ DUTIES

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A.    COMMISSIONER

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1.   Preside at all meetings and perform the duties usual of a president.
2.   Act for the executive in an emergency when it is impossible to obtain an executive vote.
3.      Be responsible for the proper and efficient operation of the NEAHL.
4.     Have signing authority on NEAHL cheques.
5.      Have custody and use of the seal.

B.   DEPUTY COMMISSIONER

(top)1.   Have the powers and perform the duties of the commissioner in his absence.
2.   Perform such duties as requested by the commissioner.
3.   Have signing authority on NEAHL cheques.
4.   Responsible for organizing the all-star tournament.

C.  SECRETARY

(top)1.   Keep minutes of executive and general meetings.
2.   Send minutes and meeting notices to directors.
3.   Be responsible for all NEAHL correspondence.

D.     TREASURER

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1.   Record receipts and expenditures.
2.   Prepare financial statements for meetings.
3.    Prepare a year-end financial statement, which shall be reviewed before the annual meeting.
4.    Have signing authority on NEAHL cheques. Any two signatures of the commissioner, deputy commissioner and treasurer are required on cheques.

E.     PAST COMMISSIONER

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1.   Provide continuity and offer guidance in policy.
2.   Conduct election of executive officers.

F.     GOVERNOR / DEPUTY GOVERNOR

(top)1.   Should not be a coach or manager in the same hockey league.
2.    Ensure that all players, teams, coaches and managers follow the CHA, Hockey Alberta, and NEAHL constitution, bylaws and regulations.
3.   Suspend any player, team, coach, or manager  who does not follow the rules  or displays unsportsmanlike conduct.
4.    Resolve small disputes regarding the league.  Governors can only rule on league play; the Zone Chairman (Alberta or Sask.) has jurisdiction over tournament and exhibition games. The Zone Chairman of the zone where the incident happened has jurisdiction.
5.   Draw up an equal home and away league schedule of 20 games, if possible.
6.   Make recommendations for moving teams to higher or lower categories based on their performance prior to December 1.
7.     See that team, coach and manager lists are received before the first league game and updated as necessary.
8.    Send with the schedule, a list of coaches, managers, the deputy governors, their addresses and telephone numbers to each coach and to the NEAHL secretary.
9.   Keep league statistics or appoint a statistician to do so, provide them to directors and report on the league at each NEAHL meeting.
10. See as many games as possible and sign the game sheet on all games attended.
11. File an expense claim before April 30 of the current year.  Travel and expenses shall be paid at $.24/km to a maximum of $400 for Atom & Pee wee governors, and to a maximum of $700 for Bantam & Midget governors
12. Present award to winning team at final game when possible.

BYLAW 12.    BORROWING POWERS

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A.    The NEAHL may not borrow money without a special resolution of the Board of Directors.

BYLAW 13.    REVIEW OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS

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A.    The NEAHL fiscal year shall be from May 1 to the following April 30.

B.    An accountant shall be appointed at each annual meeting to review the financial statements and records for the following year.

BYLAW 14.    AMENDMENTS

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A.        Amendments or alterations to the NEAHL constitution and bylaws shall be made at an annual general meeting by a simple majority vote.  Notice to amend must be made in writing to the executive twenty-one (21) days prior to the meeting and the secretary shall send the proposed amendment to each member with the notice of meeting.

B.    Amendments (without the above notice) may also be made at any general meeting but require two-thirds majority of those member associations present.

C.    A copy of any amendments shall be sent to Hockey Alberta and SAHA.

BYLAW 15.   ASSOCIATION RECORDS

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A.    The secretary and treasurer shall keep past records' of the NEAHL.

B.    NEAHL members may inspect minute books and financia1 records at any time convenient to the secretary and treasurer.

C.  An audited financial statement to be presented to members every year at the annual meeting.



1.  OPERATING RULES

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A.    The NEAHL shall operate under the rules and regulations of CHA, and Hockey Alberta.

2.  CONDUCT

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A.    Profanity and the use of alcohol and drugs are prohibited in all games and practices under the jurisdiction of the League.

B.    All players, coaches, managers, officials and members shall conduct             themselves in a polite and sportsman like manner at all times.

3.  REGISTRATION

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A.    Each minor hockey association must post a $500.00 performance bond to the NEAHL. The league will use the interest collected for operations.

B.    This bond shall be liable for any breach of the Constitution, Bylaws, Regulations or for failure to fulfill commitments.

C.    Any assessment against a bond shall be repaid in full by the member association upon receiving the assessment.

D.    An association may be granted a year’s leave of absence, without forfeiting their bond, if written application is received between hockey seasons.  If, after one-year leave, the association does not return to the league; the bond will automatically be refunded.

E.    The bond shall be refunded if an association withdraws from the NEAHL.

F.    Scorebooks must be used for all league and playoff games.  One scorebook per team is included with registration; extra books available for purchase.

G.    League play should start by October 20 th for Tier l and Tier lll and October 30th for Tier ll.

H.    Initial registration will be by mail sent in before October 1.  The registration shall list all the association’s teams and state the tier that they request registration in. It shall also contain the names of nominees for executive and deputy governor positions in the league.  The league will, before October 10, set up meetings between the governors/deputies and the team representatives.  Team representatives shall bring to the meeting: name of coach and manager, home ice times and any requests and supports for the level their team will be tiered at.

I.     Teams should be registered in categories where they are competitive, not according to CHA cards. The following criteria will be used to decide which tier a team will be registered in.

Tier I

1.    Any team that is made up of the top caliber players registered in an association.
2.    Any other team from the lower tiers that feels it is strong enough to be competitive in a given year.

Tier II

1.     Any team that puts all the available players from their community on one team.
2.     Any team whose association splits all their players into equal caliber teams.
3.     Any tier III team that feels it can be competitive in a given year.

Tier III

1.     Teams that are made up entirely of players had are unable to play at a higher skill level.

J.      Teams may be realigned before December 1 if necessary, by the league governor, deputy governor and the executive.  Teams will be moved within a category to another tier in order that all teams are relatively competitive and the players have a positive hockey experience.

Criteria for moving a team are:

1.    A team loses consistently by large scores (ten or more goals)
2.    A team wins all games by large differences  (ten or more goals)
3.    Team officials and the Minor Hockey Association has been consulted
4.    Team appears to be more competitive in a different tier (exhibition play may be needed to determine this)

Teams moving up or down a tier will be expected to play a full schedule in the new tier.  All games played in the in the previous tier will not be considered as league games.  Minor Hockey Associations are expected to place teams in tiers that they are competitive.

4.    ROSTERS

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A.    Governors/deputy shall not place teams into a schedule without first inspecting their team roster sheet. (sample attached)

B.    Players can only be registered on one team at a time.

C.    Players cannot be added to a team roster after January 10th unless approved by NEAHL using Hockey Alberta rules.

5.    AFFILIATION

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A.    All affiliations must be registered and approved, as such, with Hockey Alberta or SAHA before the governor may allow the affiliation.  Just because a player is affiliated per Hockey Alberta or SAHA does not mean the league allows it.  Three areas not allowed: Sask. Players affiliated downward, teams using affiliation for strength and affiliation of player registered on a team playing in the same tier in our league.  Teams should complete an affiliation sheet with registration in the league allowing the deputy governor to approve the affiliations for the year. The team officials must mark the game sheet with (AP) and game number 1 of 5, 2 of 5 etc. for each affiliate player.

6.          OVERAGE

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A.    The commissioner may endorse applications for overage if one or more of the following circumstances exist.

1)  Association has no team at the proper category.

2)  Association hasn’t enough players to make a team without the applicant.

3)  Association has too many players in the older category and not enough in the younger category.

4)  Applicant has health problems. (certificate required from doctor).

5)  Applicant is in first year of hockey.

6)  Applicant is small in size.

The Commissioner will not endorse applications for any other reason.
The Commissioner will not endorse an application for a player who played in the league last year and at years end did not meet the criteria for continuing league approval as herein listed.

B.  Criteria for continuing league approval of overage status.

1)      The player has not been assessed a penalty higher than a major penalty.

2)    The player has not been assessed a major penalty for anything other than fighting.

3)    The player is not in the top twenty-five players in his league scoring race.

4)    That the player remains is in the bottom ¼ (approximately) of his team in penalty minutes.  This will be a discretion call by the deputy governor; consideration will be given to: abnormal penalty minutes at start of year and overall team penalty performance.

5)    If a team is allowed an overage goalie and has two goalies, they must share games equally

6)   The original circumstances for endorsement have not changed.

C.  Performance monitoring of overage players

When the commissioner endorses a Hockey Alberta overage player Application he will fax a copy of the league overage report to the governor and deputy governor involved.  If the player is accepted by Hockey Alberta it is the responsibility of the team officials to send a copy of the approval to the deputy governor.  Once the deputy governor has the signed Hockey Alberta form the player may play.  The deputy governor will inform the team officials of the circumstances that lead to the approval and the criteria monitored by him for continuing league support of the overage status.  On each game sheet the team representative will mark (O.A.) behind the overage players name.  The Deputy Governor will monitor the player’s performance via the game sheets.  The Deputy Governor will withdraw league approval (without appeal) at any time that the previous five criteria are not being met.  The Deputy Governor will notify the team and Hockey Alberta and the player will return to his/her proper category.

7.  PROTESTS

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A.    Protests are a Minor Hockey Associations notice to the league that they would like a specific game or aspect of a game investigated. Upon receiving written notice outlining the reasons for the protest the governor will investigate the situation and report his findings a ruling back to the association in a written format.  If the Association is not satisfied with the governor's decision they have the right to appeal under section 9.

B.    Protests must come from the Minor Hockey Association NOT THE COACH OR MANAGER OF THE TEAM and are handled by the governor of each category.

C.    All protests relating to games must be faxed to the league governor within 24 hours of the incident. A $125.00 Association cheque or money order must be mailed to the league governor within 48 hours.  This money shall be forfeited to NEAHL if the protest is disallowed and refunded if the protest is upheld.  The defending association or team must file their defense to the league  governor in writing within 48 hours of their notification by the governor of the protest.

8.  SUSPENSIONS - LEAGUE  GAMES

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A.    League suspensions are to be dealt with by the league governor and deputy or commissioner, in the governor’s absence.  Zone Chairpersons are responsible for suspensions due to infractions during tournament, exhibition and provincial play.

B.    League suspensions will start the next game that the player attends.  This means that the manager must know the suspension guidelines.  If a player is assessed a penalty that results in a suspension Friday night he is required to start his suspension if the team plays later that weekend even if the deputy governor has not ruled on the duration of the suspension.

C.    Suspensions due to major penalties and recurrence of major penalties (penalties that do not have to be reported to Hockey Alberta or SAHA.) will be dealt with by the Deputy Governor.

D.    Suspensions due to match penalties (that must be reported to Hockey Alberta or SAHA.) will be dealt with by the league Governor or the Commissioner in the Governor's absence.

E.    Upon notification of a major penalty or a recurrence of major penalties the deputy governor will within 48 hours inform the suspended parties.  Any infractions that involve a player/coach, or referee or linesman (Rule 71 or 80), are handled by the Hockey Alberta Provincial Match Penalty Coordinator

F.    Upon notification of a match penalty the deputy governor will within 24 hours inform the governor and the Zone Chairperson.

G.    The governor shall send his decision in writing to the commissioner, the Zone Chairman and the team manager within 3 days.

H.    When a suspension is incurred during league play, the suspension must be served in the next consecutive games, league play, tournament play, provincial games and Hockey Alberta/ SAHA sanctioned events.  Exhibition games do not count as suspended games.  Player cannot play exhibition games while serving a suspension.

I.    Suspended parties shall have the right to appeal the decision.

J.    Coaches and managers may be suspended for encouraging infractions of the rules.

K.    A record of suspensions shall be given to the league secretary at the end of the season.

L.    The instigator in a fight may receive a greater suspension. A player who did not retaliate should not receive a suspension.

M.    Indefinite suspensions will be ruled on by the executive.

N.    Suspension Guide (Minimums) Use current Hockey Alberta guidelines  (copy attached)

Major Penalties and recurrences (dealt with by Deputy Governor)

Match penalties ( dealt with by Governor and reported to Hockey Alberta / SAHA)

O.    No suspended player or team official is allowed on the bench, in the
timekeepers/penalty box, dressing room and within (50) feet of the player’s benches during a game.

9.    APPEALS  OF DECISIONS OF GOVERNOR OR DEPUTY GOVERNOR

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A.    An appeal must come from the local minor hockey association

B.    An appeal must be made to the NEAHL commissioner within 15 days of the date of the decision.

C.    An appeal must be written and accompanied by a $200.00 certified cheque or money order, which shall be forfeited if the decision is upheld and refunded if the decision is overturned.

D.    A hearing shall be held within 5 days of receiving an appea1.

E.    The commissioner shall appoint a committee of three uninvolved executive members or deputy governors to hear the appeal. They shall be from neutral associations and unbiased in the appeal they are hearing.

F.    The hearing shall follow CHA and Hockey Alberta rules.

G.    Any decisions of the NEAHL appeal committee may be appealed to Hockey Alberta or the SAHA.

10.     POSTPONED GAMES

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A.    The request to postpone a league game shall be made a minimum of 120 hours (5 Days)  prior to game time to BOTH the deputy league governor and the opposing coach. GAMES SHOULD BE RESCHEDULED BEFORE BEING POSTPONED.   Failure to do so could result in a forfeited game, in which the score shall be set at 1-0. Governor to decide each case on its own merits.  If the teams cannot come to an agreement the governor may reassign venue.  Teams will be required to complete the schedule as drawn.  In the event that ice is unavailable in a certain location, the governor shall arrange a location.  Failure to complete league commitments may lead to assessment against an association’s bond or league membership suspension.

11. LEAGUE GAMES

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A.    League and playoff games shall have priority over tournament and exhibition games.  League games must be rescheduled before going to a tournament.

B.    If a team fails to appear for a game with less than 5 days (120 hours) notice their association shall be fined a minimum of $200 (to cover cost of ice and referees.) to be forwarded to the host team, unless it was due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. The deputy governor shall rule as to what are unforeseen circumstances.

C.    Bantam and Midget leagues will endeavor to have a break in their schedules to allow for school final exams.

D.    Stop time shall be played in all periods of all games. Shorten the periods to fit the allotted time if necessary.

E.    Minimum ice times:
Atom         1.5 hours
PeeWee     2.0 hours
Bantam      2.0 hours
Midget        2.5 hours

F.    No overtime shall be played in league play.

G.    Mid-week and Sunday games for Bantams and Midgets shall start no later than 7:00 pm unless mutually agreeable.

H.    Member associations are required to provide enough ice slots to accommodate the final schedule.

12. PLAYOFF GAMES

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A.    The general playoff format shall be the top 4 teams: 1 vs. 4; 2 vs. 3: winners play off. Play-offs shall be two-game total point series. Venue goes to the team that finished highest in the league standings. The bottom teams should have a consolation playoff or round robin.

B.    The league governor may change this format depending on the number of teams and their standing in the league. A tournament may be used to cut down on travel.

C.    In any three game series the higher place team has venue to choose their first game at home or away and the higher place team also chooses the third game either home or away if necessary.

D.    Governor to have playoff format for distribution by January 1 and teams have until January 20 for requests for revisions.

E.    A tie in league standings shall be decided in the following order:

1.    The team with the most wins in league play
2.    The tied team with the most wins in regular play against the other tied team
3.    Goals for minus goals against, in games between tied teams
4.    Goals for minus goals against in league play
5.    Least penalty minutes
6.    A coin toss

F.    No overtime shall be played in the first game of a home and home series. If the total score is tied after the second game stop-time sudden-victory overtime shall be played.

G.    The NEAHL shall provide one championship banner for each tier.

13. COACH / MANAGER DUTIES

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A.    Coaches or managers shall submit a team, coach and manager list to the league deputy governor before the first league game, update it as necessary, and submit a final list before January 10.

B.    Home teams coaches or managers shall telephone or fax major and match penalties to the deputy league governor within 24 hours of the game.

C.    Home team coaches or managers shall fax game sheets, to the deputy league governor within 24 hours of a game.  Failure to do so will be considered lack of performance and a $50.00 assessment will be taken from the association's bond.

14. OFFICIALS

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A.    Atom and Pee Wee referees must be carded level 1 or higher.

B.    Bantam and Midget referees must be carded level 2 or higher.

C.    The local minor hockey association shall be responsible for providing qualified officials for all league games.
It is recommended for all playoffs at the atom level there be a two man system with at least one of the officials having a level two or higher.
It is recommended for all playoffs at the peewee, bantam and midget levels there is a three man system with the official having a level two or higher.   

D.    If for whatever reason, the Referee or Linesmen appointed are prevented from appearing, the Managers or Coaches of the two competing clubs shall agree on a Referee and one or two linesmen.  The Referee and Linesmen agreed on must hold current referee certification.  If no carded referees are available the game will not be played, home team forfeits and is expected to reimburse the visitors for travel expense.

15. GENERAL REGULATIONS

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A.    League governor's names, addresses and telephone numbers shall be posted in the referee's room of each member association.

B.    The home team shall change sweaters if colors are too close.

C.    Fan control shall be the responsibility of the home team.  Referees shall ask arena management and/or home team manager to remove unruly fans.

D.    Member associations shall be assessed a $100 fee if they are not represented by their director or an alternate at league annual meeting.

E.    Each association shall strongly encourage several members to attend a Hockey Alberta executive leadership seminar each year.

F.    There shall be no admission charge to any NEAHL league or playoff game unless approved in writing by the NEAHL.  Failure will result in loss of membership in the league.

G.    The home team will supply 20 warm-up pucks for the visiting team to use.

H.    Executive members shall be reimbursed for NEAHL telephone postage and meeting travel costs at $0.30/km. As well travel costs shall be paid if the commissioner or deputy commissioner must attend games on behalf of the NEAHL.

16. REGULATION CHANGES

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A.    NEAHL regulations may be revised at general or executive meetings by a 2/3 majority vote. They should be reviewed and updated annually or as changes occur.