Message from the Officials

With the 2023-2024 season starting we at NTHOA want to send a note to all players/coaches and spectators of a few points of emphasis for the upcoming season. The AT&T MHSHL supports the officials and the incredibly challenging job they are faced with.

EQUIPMENT: All equipment must be properly worn including, ear guards, J-clips, chin straps, face shield straps, chin cups and mouthguards. Goalkeepers shall have HECC approved face masks. (Non-approved “cat eye” masks will not be allowed”. Sticks must have plugs or a covering at the butt end. Players, including goalkeepers, violating this rule shall not be permitted to participate in the game until such equipment has been corrected or removed.

Failure to comply with proper equipment requirements shall be penalized as follows: Following a team warning, a misconduct penalty for an equipment violation shall be imposed.

USAH Zero tolerance for abuse of officials will be enforced. This is the time of year that we have the largest number of new officials, and we would like to keep them around. Mistakes will happen, training will as well.

A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be assessed to any player who commits the following actions:
(1) Challenges or disputes the rulings of any official.
(2) Taunts or incites an opponent.
(3) Creates a disturbance during the game.
(4) Shoots the puck after the whistle, if in the opinion of the Official such shot was avoidable.
A misconduct penalty shall be assessed to any player who persists in such conduct and any further dispute by the same player shall result in a game misconduct penalty being assessed.

In Body Checking categories, the primary focus of the check shall be to gain possession of the puck and officials should strictly penalize any illegal actions such as boarding, charging, cross checking, and a late body check to a player who is no longer in control of the puck.

The responsibility is on the player delivering the check to avoid forceful contact (minimize impact) to a vulnerable or defenseless player who is no longer in control of the puck.

Proper body checking technique starts with stick on puck, therefore the stick blade of the player delivering the check must be below the knees.

Spectators are encouraged to support their teams while showing respect for all players, coaches, officials and other spectators.

Thank you and have a great season,

Respectfully,

Your NTHOA officials