WHEATLAND SENIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE CONSTITUTION
October 11, 2016
Repealing all previous versions
Part I
Introduction
1. The Organization shall be known as the Wheatland Senior Hockey League
2. This document is herein referred to as the “Constitution”
3. The objective of the League shall be to control, improve, and foster amateur
hockey in the area which it embraces within the framework of the Saskatchewan
Hockey Association.
4. With exception of those rules and regulations specifically herein, SHA rules and
regulations shall prevail in their entirety.
5. The League shall be governed by Senior C rules as per the SHA handbook.
6. Definitions under the Constitution are as follows:
a. “Affiliate” means a local minor hockey player
b. “Assignor” means the SHA representative responsible for assigning
Officials to work games
c. “Board of Representatives” means the collective group of Team
Representatives, President, and Vice President as designated within the
Constitution
d. “Coach” means the registered coach of a Team as defined by SHA
e. “Full Member” means Team(s) that hold a permanent franchise in the
League and who have paid all League fees, dues, fines, and applicable
performance bonds.
f. “League” means the Wheatland Senior Hockey League.
g. “League Officers” means the President and Vice President of the League
h. “League Representatives” means the collective group of Team
Representatives
i. “Manager” means the registered coach of a Team as defined by SHA
j. “Officials” means Referees, Linesmen, or SHA certified individuals that
regulate League play
k. “Performance Bond” means the funds provided to the League to guarantee
individual teams performance under the Constitution
l. “Player” means a registered hockey player on a Team as defined by SHA
m. “Probationary Member” means Team(s) that hold a new franchise in the
League subject to review by the Board of Representatives
n. “SHA” means the Saskatchewan Hockey Association
o. “Team” means any Probationary or Full Member of the League
p. “Team Representative” means the person appointed by an individual team
to represent the Team
q. “Trainer” means the registered trainer of a Team as defined by SHA
Part II
Governance
7. Membership shall consist of Teams classed as Full Members and Probationary
Members
a. Probationary Members may be admitted subject to meeting application
criteria set by the Board of Representatives
i. New applications for Probationary Members must be received by
August 1 each year
ii. Decisions on admission of new Probationary Members shall be
made by the Board of Representatives by September 1 each year
b. Probationary Members shall be subject to payment of applicable fees
within Section ** of the Constitution
c. Probationary Members shall enjoy all privileges of Full Members
including right to vote at biannual meetings.
i. Notwithstanding Section 7(c) herein, Probationary Members shall
not be entitled to vote on granting of Full Membership or awarding
of new Probationary Members
d. After one year Probationary Members by 60% majority vote of the Board
of Representatives may be admitted as Full Members
i. By vote of the Board of Representatives Probationary Membership
may be extended by up to one year
8. Teams may be granted a leave up absence for up to two one-year terms by
majority vote of the Board of Representatives
9. Membership may be revoked by 60% vote of the Board of Representatives
10. Each Team is responsible to provide a Team Representative as the official
representative
a. Alternates may be appointed as necessary
11. Each Team is responsible to provide current contact information for Team
Representatives and Alternates.
12. Each Team Representative shall have one vote in any applicable League matter
13. The President shall vote only in the event of a tie.
14. The Vice President shall not have a vote.
15. Notwithstanding Section 13 herein the President shall not vote on admission of
Probationary Members, admitting Probationary Members to Full Member Status,
or on appeals made to the League Representatives.
16. League Officers shall consist of a President and Vice President, elected at a
biannual meeting,
17. Teams are responsible for provision of representatives to serve executive
positions as required within the Constitution
a. League Officers shall be elected to a maximum two-year term, with the
first year serving as Vice President and second year as President.
b. League Officers must be representative of two different Teams
c. Two year terms shall be set according to a according to the schedule
within Section 17(i)
i. Vice President
President
2016/17
Allan
Holdfast
2017/18
Naicam
Allan
2018/19
Kinistino
Naicam
2019/20
Imperial
Kinistino
2020/21
Lake Lenore
Imperial
2021/22
Kelvington
Lake Lenore
2022/23
Jansen
Kelvington
2023/24
Foam Lake
Jansen
2024/25
Dundurn
Foam Lake
2025/26
Craik
Dundurn
2026/27
Holdfast
Craik
ii. New Full Members shall be inserted at the bottom of the schedule
as necessary
18. There shall be appointed positions for Secretary/Treasurer and Statistician.
19. No League Officer shall hold the position of League Representative, Coach,
Manager, Trainer, or Player.
20. The Board of Representatives shall hold biannual meetings in the spring and fall
of each year.
a. The date and location shall be determined by the President and each Team
shall receive due notice
b. Any Team not having a representative at a biannual meeting shall be
subject to a fine according to Section 60 of the Constitution
c. Business at the annual meeting shall include, but not be limited to:
i. Award Full Memberships to Probationary Members
ii. Elect League Officers
iii. Fill appointed positions as necessary
iv. Any other business of the League as the Board of Representatives
deems necessary
21. The Constitution may be amended from time to time by a 60% majority vote at
any biannual meeting
Part III
Duties of League Executive and Board of Representatives
22. The President shall have the power to represent any or all of the Board of
Representatives on any occasion and will be responsible to the Board of
Representatives for same and to:
a. Call meetings of the Board of Representatives whenever necessary or at
the request of any three of the Team Representatives;
b. Give support to the SHA regarding any suspensions of any Team,
Manager, Coach, Player, or Official;
c. Deal with business of a minor nature, not requiring the decision of the
Board of Representatives;
d. Determine suitability of playing conditions of ice for games in the event of
a dispute;
e. Draw up a playoff schedule in accordance with the Constitution and
directives from the Board of Representatives;
f. Chair meetings of the Board of Representatives;
g. Deal with and rule on all protests;
h. Assess fines, suspensions, or expulsion from the League of any Manager,
Coach, Player, Referee, or any other official refusing to accept or comply
with the rules of the League for foul play or unfair or unsportsmanlike
conduct individually or collectively at any place where hockey is being
played or at any meetings; and
i. Draw up a schedule or appoint a representative to draw up a schedule after
consultation with the Board of Representatives.
23. In the absence of the President the Vice President shall have all powers associated
with the position.
24. The Secretary/Treasurer shall be responsible to:
a. Record all minutes of the Board of Representatives and to attend to all
necessary correspondence;
b. Send notices of all meetings to the Board of Representatives as directed by
the President
c. Supply at the expense of the League a copy of the Constitution, score
sheets, Player registrations, minutes, and other correspondence necessary
to League business;
d. Forward to the SHA a current copy of the League Constitution;
e. Record all receipts and payments, deposit all funds, and pay all accounts
of the League as they come due and as directed by the President; and
f. Supply a copy a financial statement for biannual meetings.
25. The Statistician shall be responsible to:
a. Keep accurate statistics on the League website on all Teams and Players in
the League;
b. Provide on a bi-weekly basis to all local newspapers and the Star Phoenix
the League standings, top ten scoring leaders, and top goalie statistics; and
c. Maintain the League website as necessary.
26. The Board of Representatives, in accordance with the Constitution shall be
responsible to:
a. Conduct the business of the League at meetings and during the season as
required;
b. Consider and admit Probationary Members;
c. Consider Probationary Members for Full Membership;
d. Hear appeals of any decision of the League Officers;
e. Consider reinstatement of any suspended Team, Manager, Coach, Trainer,
or other official;
f. Suspend or revoke any Probationary or Full Member from the League;
g. Act as sole custodian of all League Trophies and be sole judge as to where
the trophies will be stored and maintained, and to purchase new trophies
as deemed desirable.
Part IV
Player Registration
27. The cut-off date for signing all Players shall be January 10th.
28. In certain circumstances Players may be added to a roster till February 10th as per
SHA Regulations.
29. Each Team is responsible to send and pay Team registration fees to SHA.
30. Each Team may have a maximum of 25 Players on their roster at any given time
not including Affiliates.
31. An Affiliate is any local minor hockey Player, playing on a minor hockey Team.
a. Local Affiliate Players need not be registered with the League but they
must be registered on a minor Team
b. The League affiliation form must be filled out and must accompany the
Player roster.
32. All Players, Coaches, Managers, and Trainers must be registered with SHA prior
to any game activities
33. SHA Addition/Deletion forms for all Team transactions shall be forwarded SHA
and all League Representatives prior to involvement in any game activities
34. The Secretary will send each Team a copy of all final registered rosters following
the cutoff date
35. There is no maximum on number of transactions
36. Import Players may only be added to a roster once per season, unless
accompanied by a doctor’s note
37. A maximum of eighteen skaters plus two goalies may be dressed for each game.
38. No additions will be added to any roster after the cut-off date with the exception
of goalies for one that is injured and prevented from playing.
39. All registered Players, unless injured, must play a minimum of five games to be
allowed to play in the League Play-offs.
a. Affiliate Players registered with the League prior to the start of playoffs
are exempt from minimum games played qualification
40. The Team must dress a minimum of nine Players for all games.
41. Injury to a goalie, application together with a doctor’s certificate should be made
to the League President who can authorize a replacement.
42. Players officially registered and playing in the League as of December 31st shall
not be allowed to play in another League. Offenders will be suspended for the
balance of the season.
43. An import is classified according to SHA regulations with no exceptions
a. There is no restriction as to the Team for which an import or any Player
may have played for or tried out for, or have been connected with in the
previous seasons.
b. Replacement goalies, under Rule 37 may be an import.
c. Goalies are not considered imports.
d. Each Team is allowed no more than six imports on their roster at any
given time, not including goalies.
e. Playing for five consecutive years with the same Team the Player becomes
a local status.
i. In the event of injury that prevents an import Player from being on
a roster for a full season, when accompanied by a doctor’s note no
loss of seniority for the purpose of 43(e) shall occur if not
occupying a roster spot.
Part V
Rules and Regulations
44. The League Officers will only entertain protests dealing with points arising from
the rules and regulations of the Constitution.
45. Protests and all supporting evidence thereof must be in duplicate signed by the
League Representative of the protesting Team and Team Manager.
46. Protests shall be forwarded to the League Officers and the Team being protested
against via email within 24 hours of the advertised start time of the game
protested with a deposit of one hundred dollars ($100.00), which will be forfeited
to the League if the protest is not upheld.
47. The Team protested against shall have 24 hours from the receipt of the protest in
which to file a defense. A deposit of one hundred dollars ($100.00) must
accompany this defense, and it will be forfeited to the League if the protest is
upheld.
48. The League Officers shall rule on all protests meeting the requirements herein
within twenty-four hours of receipt of the statement of defense.
49. All protest rulings shall be sent via email to the League Representatives
50. The League Representatives will hear appeals of the League Officers’ rulings on
any protest when the appealing Team along with the support of three additional
Teams request.
a. In the event of an appeal request the President shall call a special meeting
or conference call for the League Representatives to hear the appeal
b. A deposit of one hundred dollars ($100.00) shall accompany an appeal, to
be retained by the League if the appeal is unsuccessful
51. The League Representatives may readmit or reinstate any Team, Manager, Coach
Player or other official suspended or reduce or increase the suspensions and /or
fines thereof.
52. Officials appealing a suspension need only write the President and the League
Representatives will hear the appeal.
53. In the event of an appeal the President will present the League Officer’s ruling to
the League Representatives followed by the appealing Team or Official
presenting their case.
54. The League Representatives will by majority vote decide the results of the appeal
55. Decisions of the League Representatives may be appealed to SHA.
Part VI
Fines, Suspensions, and Fees
56. All suspensions and rulings shall follow current SHA rules and regulations
57. Notwithstanding the above the President may assess additional suspensions and/or
fines above minimum SHA regulations if deemed warranted.
58. The League fees, including SHA certification fees, will be set at the Fall Meeting
or at any meeting deemed necessary by the President
59. Any game played with any unregistered, suspended, or otherwise ineligible
Player, Coach, Manager, Trainer, or other Team official shall be subject to SHA
regulations
60. Any Team not having a representative at the Annual meeting will be subject to a
fine of fifty dollars ($50.00).
61. Any Team failing to return a game for whatever the reason or show up with less
than nine Players shall be liable for a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00).
Fines will be paid to the non-offending Team. Officials will be paid regular fees
if not notified.
62. A fine of ten dollars ($10.00) per game suspension shall accompany all
Suspensions.
63. League Officials shall review any Player receiving a 2nd Match or Gross
Misconduct penalty in a single season.
a. Any Player so reviewed has the right to appeal any decision.
64. Probationary Members shall purchase a League membership for two hundred
dollars ($200.00)
65. The League Performance Bond shall be three hundred dollars ($300.00). The
Bond must be paid to the League before any games may be played.
66. When Teams drop out of the League and the Team is considered to be in good
standing the Board of Representatives shall determine if the Team Performance
Bonds can be forwarded to next league joined; otherwise Bonds are kept by the
League
Part VII
Scheduling and Playoffs
68. The playing format of league play and playoffs will be set at every fall biannual
meeting.
a. Divisions may be instituted if necessary.
b. The Board of Representatives shall determine the number of teams in the
playoffs and the number of games to be played in each round
69. A schedule will be drawn up by the League Officers within the framework of the
information provided above.
70. A scheduling meeting shall be held with representatives from each Team to
determine the dates/locations of all games.
a. The playing schedule will be inspected, discussed and approved by all
Teams prior to the start of the season, after which there will be no further
alterations except in exceptional circumstances.
71. All scheduled games must be played. They may not be conceded.
72. Playoff positions will be decided strictly in accordance with SHA regulations.
73. In all rounds of the playoffs the following format will be used:
a. Determine the Teams involved in a particular draw and follow the format
below:
b. The Team with the highest number of points shall play the Team with
lowest number of points. 2nd highest plays 2nd lowest and so on. This
format continues depending upon the number of Teams involved.
74. In a one divisional structure the Team with the most points will always have home
game advantage. If there is more than one division the Team with the most points
against the opposing division shall have home advantage.
75. The League Officers shall have the right to vary the length of series if weather
conditions make necessary or desirable.
76. Postponement of scheduled games, whether in regular season or play-off games,
except in very adverse weather or because of illness of several Players, must be
arranged between the Teams concerned at least 48 hours if possible before the
scheduled game time, and the President and Assignor must be notified of
postponement and rescheduling.
77. All postponed games or rescheduled games must be played before the end of the
regular season schedule.
78. Any Team postponing a scheduled League Game in order to participate in an
exhibition or other game whether at home or away from home shall forfeit their
bond to the League, unless mutually agreed by both Teams.
a. Teams agreeing on a postponement of scheduled games must at the same
time agree to the date the makeup game is to be played. Should this not be
done within 3 days of the date the game was suppose to be played, the
President shall consult the schedule and deem the first day both Teams are
not playing as the date for the makeup game to be played.
79. All Teams of the League must be aware that their priority in any games they may
contemplate playing or competitions they may consider entering is to the playing
schedule of this League. The League shall be deemed more important than other
games. Cancellations must be reported to the President immediately.
a. SHA Provincial Games are considered an exception
80. Tie games at the end of regulation shall be handled in accordance with Section 80
(a)(b)(c) below:
a. At the conclusion of regular season games there will be a five-minute
sudden death overtime, with no break.
b. If at the conclusion of the five minute overtime period the Teams remain
tied and shoot-out will occur.
i. Shoot-outs will follow current NHL rules
c. At the conclusion of playoff games overtime shall be a flood after the 3rd
period, change ends then twenty-minute sudden death period(s) until
winner is declared.
81. Overtime periods will be played four on four
Part VIII
League Awards
88. The Team finishing the regular season in first place in their respective division
shall receive a division winner banner.
89. The Team winning the playoffs shall receive the League Championship Trophy
90. The Player deemed most valuable Player in the playoffs shall received the Playoff
Most Valuable Player trophy
a. Playoff MVP is determined by the winning Team Coach immediately
following the championship game
91. Individual awards shall be presented under the categories detailed in Section
91(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g) herein
a. Most Valuable Player as voted by League Representatives
b. Outstanding Defenseman as voted by League Representatives
c. Most Gentlemanly Players (Jim Holland Memorial) as voted by League
Representatives
d. Rookie of the Year as voted by League Representatives
i. Eligible Players must be in their first year of senior hockey with
the last year played having been Midget, age being irrelevant
e. Top Scorer
i. Determined based on individual Player regular season point total
ii. In the event of a tie the award would go to the Player with the most
goals
f. Most Valuable Goalie (Doug Boon Award) as voted by League
Representatives
g. Combined Lowest Team Goalies Goals Against Average
i. Determined based on Team regular season goals against average
(GAA) statistics
92. Award winners will be provided with engraved trophies or plaques at the cost of
the League
93. Procedure for awards as voted by League Representatives to be completed in
accordance with Section 93(a)(b)(c)(d)(e) herein:
a. At the conclusion of the regular season each Team shall submit to the
Secretary/Treasurer individual nominations from their own Team for each
award, placing the sweater number worn during the year beside the name.
b. The compiled list shall be sent to the League Representatives for voting
c. Each Team will cast votes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice with 3, 2, and 1 point
being awarded respectively for each vote received.
d. The winning Player shall be awarded based on the number of points
received.
e. Teams shall not vote for their own Player(s)
94. Awards shall be provided to applicable Teams for presentation as determined by
the respective Team(s).
95. League Officers presenting awards shall be provided mileage by the League
Part IX
General
96. It is the responsibility of the home Team to email all game sheets to the League
Officers and Statistician immediately following the game.
97. The home Team keeps all gate receipts from both League and Play-off games.
The profit or losses are to be absorbed by the home Team
98. Each Team will complete a form giving details of Team Officials, colors, playing
dates before the start of season.
99. Home Teams are to supply a minimum of 40 pucks for warm up.
100.
The following League Officers will be entitled to an honorarium set at the
Fall Meeting:
a. Statistician - $50.00 per Team
b. Secretary - $50.00 per Team
101.
The League will pay telephone, postage and other expenses incurred by
the League Officers.
102.
Each League Officer shall receive gate passes for themselves and their
spouse for free admission in any rink for League play and playoff games.