Empire Amateur Hockey Conference  

Game Rules - Current Season Changes/Updates/Reminders

Please note we are in the process of updating this page. We expect to have all of the updates posted by 9/15/2025. The EAHC Guidebooks should be posted on the EAHC Documents page by mid-September.

2025-26 Rule Changes

ITEMS PASSED FOR 2025-26 SEASON:

  • Gamesheet Mandatory Adoption for 10U thru 18U. Each org to determine their strategy for helping teams to obtain an IPAD. (Feb 2025)
  • Orgs to put in $100 each for Ref Scholarship to help with the ref shortage. (Feb 2025)
  • Change the name of “playoffs” to reflect the purpose and fun aspects. Changed to “CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND”  (May 2025)
  • 8U and 6U – all parents on the ice must be certified coaches and MUST wear skates and a helmet. Helmet is required per USA Hockey. Too many occurrences of parents on the ice during warmups or Jamborees without helmets or skates. Proof required is a picture submitted to Commissioner. 1st Offense – $100 fine and hearing. 2nd offense – Suspension & Hearing (May 2025)
  • 8U Teams must have a team roster and multiple teams may NOT be combined on one roster. Each team must have a rostered Head Coach and Manager with all Assistant Coaches rostered. Must have the fully approved roster at the Jamboreeor $100 fine . Players & Coaches not on the roster cannot skate or coach. (May 2025) 2nd Notice – Team suspended if no roster (July 2025)
  • 12U – 1 division Confirmation (Feb 2025)
  • 12U – Approved for horizontal subs, ok for playoffs but will not reschedule games
  • 18U: Keep no checking rule for 18U (yearly decision or make permanent? – approved for 2024-5) (May 2025)
  • 18U – will play a XX game schedule (each team plays 3-4 games against the other teams) to limit issues (depends on # of teams). 18U teams should fill their 20 game schedule with scrimmages. Change wording to accommodate different # of teams per year.  (May 2025)
  • 18U: Review checking penalty limit and decide on standards or continuing this policy. Continue for 2025-26. (May 2025)
  • USA Hockey Rule Changes (2025-26 is a rule change year):

o Icing when short-handed and delayed offsides approved for 15u to 18U divisions ONLY.

o  Kneeing is now a Minor plus Misconduct (EAHC Aggressive Play Penalty passed July 2025)

o  Cameras and Microphones on players and use by coaches prohibited. Use of any electronic devices on the bench is prohibited except to call a parent of an injured player or to call 911 for an injured player.

o  CEP Changes for 6U/8U Coaches

o  Locker Room Monitors and supporting this policy as we did have issues reported this season when no coaches in the Locker Room. Also minimum attire policy for co-ed locker rooms.

o  All teams must have a Manager

o  Neckguards – HECC approved

  • Commissioners to check all USA Hockey Rosters for anomalies and identify to orgs for resolution before Games start. NOTE: NYS Policy is the Head Coach is responsible for this check. Change the Statement Head Coaches need to sign. Review new statement August 2025 and Teams must hand in at Scheudling.
  • Fines:

o  Rosters approved by 10/1 - $100 fine per team if not approved by 10/1 with unform #s. 2nd Notice Cancel games & Suspended until Received (July 2025)

EAHC 2024-25 Game Times & Penalty Lengths

Down-loadable sheet for all teams below.

New Rules for the 2024-25 Season

8U:

  1. Game cancellations are NOT allowed. If a team can not make a scheduled EAHC game, the team who can not make the game must reschedule the game at their cost. All reschedules must be communicated to the 8U Commissioner and the Webmaster and are STRONGLY discouraged due to the wasted ice time and ref costs. Any game NOT rescheduled will result in a $200 fine to the team who can not make the game for causing the forfeit.
  2. 8U Teams may not use players from RED teams or from teams playing in other leagues.
  3. All games will be played 5v5 plus Goalies. NO EXCEPTIONS.

6U: Limited to 2018 & 2019 birthyear players only. NO Exceptions.

18U: EAHC will accept Petitions from 15U/16U/18U Travel players who have no play to play once the Midget Travel season ends until 12/1. After 12/1 and if there is space available, EAHC may accept JV players from Midget Travel teams to petition. All petitions due by the December EAHC Meeting. All players added to EAHC 18U teams must be removed from their Midget Travel team before being allowed to play in EAHC.

New Rules which apply to All Divisions:

  1. EAHC will use the term Alternate instead of "Substitute". This is to be compatible with terminology used within West Section. Existing limits on use of substitutes will continue for use of alternates.
  2. Neckguards are NOW mandatory at all levels (6U to 18U). Referees will impose Misconducts to players without neckguards per USA Hockey rules on missing equipment.
  3. The additonal Fair Play Point given to teams whose coaches fill out Ref Evals for 75% of their team's games has been rescinded. Too many coaches were filling them wihtout any real feedback. Head Coaches will continue to be encouraged to fill out Ref Evals when they have specific feedback (good or bad) by their organizations and by Commissioners.
  4. Use of any noisemakers is prohibited at all levels of play (6u thru 18U). This includes all instruments (including bag pipes, drums etc.), whistles, air horns or any other distracting noisemakers.
  5. Girls on Tier 2 TB Girls Teams playing in an all Girls league or as independents may play on EAHC teams without requiring an exception. Girls must otherwise be eligible to play in EAHC i.e. not on a WNYAHL or independent Youth/Boys Travel (TB, AAA, AA or Mixed) team and all other EAHC, NYSAHA, West Section and USA Hockey eligibility rules followed. If a Tier 2 Girls Team would like to play in EAHC, they should contact their Rep so EAHC can discuss adding their team. NOTE: Girls may NOT play on EAHC teams in more than 1 organization as this is prohibited by West Section rules (as well as EAHC rules).


Rules which are reviewed every summer for the Following Season

Rules renewed for 2024-25 Season

Skater alternate rules for 12U. All 12U teams may now follow the rules for 14u & 18u, alternates are allowed to be added up to 12 skaters. Skater alternates from EAHC 10U teams may sub up to 3 times. Horizontal subs from EAHC 12U teams may sub one time only and none allowed in the playoffs.

12U - one division.

NEW RULE: 18U Only. If a team has less than 9 skaters (8 or less) and a Goalie, the game will be converted to NON checking. This is a safety rule and allows games to be played even if limited skaters are available due to conflicts or suspensions.

Midget/18U Checking rule: If 18U teams keep the penalty average under 20 minutes per game, then checking will continue, if average team penalties rise above 20 minutes per game, then the league will implement non checking rules for all remaining league games and playoffs.  


Game Rules Reminders & Changes

USA Hockey Rosters REQUIRED: All EAHC teams (6U to 18U) must have all Coaches on the Bench and all players (including alternates) listed on their USA Hockey Rosters. USA Hockey Rosters must be identified to EAHC BEFORE the team plays in a game or a EAHC Jamboree using the team contact google forms.


Use of Illegal Players (including but not limited to use of non-USA Hockey rostered or illegal alternates or suspended players): Teams will forfeit the game and for a 2nd offence Head Coach will also be suspended, 3rd offense results in a Head Coach hearing.


MERCY RULE: Applies at ALL Divisions.  Running clock will begin with a 7 or more goal advantage in 3rd period. Teams may return to stop clock if gap narrows to less than 7 goals. Timekeeper should only show 7 goal differential on clock, Scorekeeper records all goals on scoresheet.


Procedure Reminders:

Fill out Referee Evaluations:

Link to the Ref Eval Form is:

See below for REFEREE EVALUATION BUTTON

Ref Evals filled out by anybody but the Head Coach will be ignored.


REMINDER - Report All Game Misconducts and Match Penalties (in League Games, Scrimmages and Tournaments). DO NOT report "2+10" Boarding, Charging, Check from Behind or Head Contact penalties OR MISCONDUCTS where the player sits during the game. If not sure, please contact your Commissioner! Report via the "REPORT AN INFRACTION" BUTTON below.


EMPIRE REVIEW POLICY: See the EAHC Guidebook on the Documents page Page 21-22.

Confirm Delete
Click the delete icon again to confirm. Click escape to cancel.