Mite, Novice, Tyke (Minor and Major)
Games are played half ice rather than cross ice, meaning two games played simultaneously from the red line to the goal lines.  There will be two 24-minute running time periods. Each team will be allowed 4 players and a goalie.  The scorekeeper will blow the horn every two minutes to signal a line change which will be made on the fly rather than stopping the play.  We will use a blue puck with mini nets. All penalties expire at the end of each shift.  The scorekeeper will maintain the game score, but not the players that scores or assist the goal.  To preserve time that information needs to be maintained by the coach during the games.

Squirt, Atom (Minor and Major)
The games are 10 minute stop time periods. However, if a team leads by five or more goals in the third period, play becomes running time. Stop time resumes any time the goal differential changes to less than five goals.

Peewee(Minor and Major)/Bantam((Minor and Major)
The games are 12 minute stop time periods. However, if a team leads by five or more goals in the third period, play becomes running time. Stop time resumes any time the goal differential changes to less than five goals.

Midget(Minor and Major)
The games are 13 minute stop time periods. However, if a team leads by five or more goals in the third period, play becomes running time. Stop time resumes any time the goal differential changes to less than five goals.

Rule differences between USA and Canada (click here for details on body checking rules and others)

Puck Ruling-Mite/Novice teams must use Blue Pucks rather that the traditional Black Puck. The Blue Puck is lighter and can be managed better by the younger players. To all Canadian teams, it would be wise to incorporate the use of Blue Pucks in a few of your practices prior to the tournament.

Offside Ruling
Tyke up to Major Peewee-if a player is off-sides, the whistle will be blown immediately. If the off-sides is accidental then the face-off will occur just outside the offensive zone blue line, intentional off-sides will be whistled down with the face-off occurring in the violating team’s defensive zone, similar to an icing call.
Minor Bantam up to Midget-Official shall signal a delayed off-sides if an attacking player proceeds the puck into the Attacking Zone and the delayed off-sides will be nullified if:
(1) The puck was to exit the attacking zone.
(2) All attacking players are simultaneously clear of the attacking zone by making skate contact with the blue line, at the same instant. If any of the following conditions are met, play shall be stopped and the face-off conducted according to sub-section (c) of this rule.
(3) An attacking player touches the puck.
(4) An attacking player attempts to gain possession of the puck or continues to apply pressure to the defending puck carrier.
(5) The puck is shot directly on goal.

No Tolerance-At the referees’ discretion, a two minute minor may be accessed to any player or coach who uses offensive language, or antagonistic gestures towards a referee, USA Hockey Official, player, or coach.

Redline Ruling-The redline is not recognized for two-line passes. However, it is still consider an icing.

We suggest that all Canadian teams gain clarification on the rules mentioned above by meeting with their referees prior to each game.