Sarnia Hockey & Recreational League participants are committed to the philosophy that PLAYER DEVELOPMENT takes priority over WINNING THE GAME in any and all cases.
1) Fair and equitable ice time is the objective.
2) Ice time is to be shared equally throughout the game and goaltenders must share games equally.
3) This philosophy applies to all exhibition, regular season, playoff and tournament games.
4) A Team's coaching staff is responsible for proper allocation of ice time in all games. Team Staff are encouraged to use strategies that ensure players receive fair ice time during a game and equitable ice time over a series of games. This can include position rotation, starting line rotation, staggering of odd lines, etc.
5) A Team's Head Coach is accountable for any instances of "Playing a Short Bench". Division Directors are responsible to investigate and address any ice time complaints.
6) Players will not be sat for any performance or ability related reason
7) Players are accountable for their behavior and conduct during the game. Any Team Head Coach has the latitude to sit a player for disciplinary reasons such as disrespectful behavior towards players, coaches, officials or fans. Players can be sat for failure to abide by warnings from coaches or officials for abusive or reckless behavior. Players can be removed from games if their reckless behavior impacts the safety of anyone inside the game space.
8) Any time a Recreational League player is sat during a game, the incident should be reported to the Division Director for tracking and transparency
9) Extra Attackers are not considered receiving extra ice time. Extra Attacker opportunities are considered earned. Extra Attacker Oppurtunites can be shared.
10) Any Team Staff not respecting this ice time philosophy should be reported to the Division Director or League Convener. Bench Coaches found to be "Playing a Short Bench" shall be progressively issued a written warning, a one game suspension and finally removal from the team.