All games will be supervised by Salt Lake County Recreation personnel.  The program will be registered with USA Hockey and will be governed by USA Hockey rules.  All officials scorekeepers and timers will be provided through the Salt Lake County Recreation Division.  The on-ice officials are members of the Wasatch Ice Hockey Officials Association and are contracted by Salt Lake County to officiate Youth League games. Coaches Team Managers and Assistant Coaches are on a volunteer basis.  Parents and Guardians are encouraged to participate in the program to help with the development and supervision of the players.

• Each game will have a 1 hour time frame in which to be played.
• Each game will begin with a 5-minute warm-up period followed by three 12-minute stop time periods.
• There will be a 1 minute break between periods.  The third period may be shortened if a game is behind schedule.
• Players who commit minor penalties will be assessed a 1:30 penalty.
• Major penalties will be assessed a 4:00 penalty.   Misconduct penalties will be assessed an 8:00 penalty.
• Gross Misconduct penalties require ejection from the game plus suspension for at least one additional game plus appearance before a panel of program administrators.

The following policies have been adopted to govern dressing room usage at all three county ice facilities:

• Female siblings and/or friends are not permitted in boys' dressing rooms.
• Male siblings and/or friends are not permitted in girls' dressing rooms.
• Mothers are permitted in boys' dressing rooms in only the Mite and Squirt divisions.
• Girls are not permitted to dress in boys' dressing rooms in any age division.
• Separate dressing rooms for girls are available at all 3 county ice facilities.

Fair Play

The desire to win often produces a style of play contrary to the principles of sportsmanship and fair play. While winning is certainly a consideration it is not the only consideration nor is it the most important consideration. Salt Lake County Recreation will not tolerate such a style that ignores sportsmanship and fair play. Remember: It's only a game.

Salt Lake County Youth Hockey has implemented the STOP (Safety Towards Other Players) program.  Each player will wear a STOP sign on the back of his/her jersey telling opponents they are in a potentially dangerous position and the opponent must stop and not make body contact.

Also as part of the STOP program each player parent and coach will be required to make a Fair Play Pledge and sign and submit a copy of the Fair Play Code before the season begins.

Rosters

The program will be administrated by the staff of the Acord Ice Center in West Valley City the County Ice Center in Murray and the Salt Lake City Sports Complex in Salt Lake City.  This staff will determine a non-bias selection of teams through a blind draft procedure. Team selection will be final after the draft is completed. There will be no roster changes after this time. Any special requests for player placement must be submitted in writing prior to the draft process.  Any requests submitted after this point will not be accepted.  In an effort to help insure the formation of equal and balanced teams only requests demonstrating a genuine hardship situation will be granted.

Uniforms and Equipment

Jerseys and socks will be provided by the Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation Division as part of the registration fees. All players must wear the assigned jersey for league play. Players will be able to keep the jersey and socks after the completion of league play.

All players must wear ALL protective hockey equipment during league play. No hockey equipment will be supplied by Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation Division with the exception of goalie equipment.  Each team will have a set of goalie equipment assigned to them if needed for the duration of the season.  All "skaters" (non-goalies) will be required to provide the following equipment:
Hockey Skates
Helmet with full cage (HECC Certified)
Shin Pads
Elbow Pads
Hockey Gloves
Shoulder Pads
Hockey Pants
Hockey Socks
Protective Cup (boys) Pelvic Protector (girls)
Ice Hockey Stick
Mouth Guards (Pee Wee and Bantam divisions only)
Neck Protectors (all divisions)
This list represents the minimum required equipment needed to participate in the Youth Hockey League. Equipment can be purchased at any local hockey shop.
Players should keep their equipment clean and in good condition to maintain required safety standards.  Skates should be sharpened regularly.  Skate repair and sharpening services are available at any Salt Lake County Ice Facility or any local hockey shop.

Players who do not wear the minimum required hockey equipment will not be allowed to participate in league play or any team practice session.

Player Eligibility

All players must be registered with the Salt Lake County Youth Hockey League. Players must play in the division that corresponds with their age. Players register for age divisions based on their age on January 1 of each year.  Players must be in good standing with no prior suspensions placed on them by any association.
Due to the large disparity in skill levels between recreation level and travel level players any players currently rostered on a travel team are not permitted to participate in the Salt Lake County Youth Hockey Program.   Please refer to the Salt Lake County Travel-Rec. Policy for more information.  For house level players who are interested in testing the competitive travel hockey waters Salt Lake County Youth Hockey operates the Salt Lake Lightning Select Team Program in the Squirt Pee Wee and Bantam age divisions.  This is an in-state program that represents a lowest level introduction to travel team hockey.

Penalties and Disciplinary Action

Players will be assessed penalties for rule infractions during games.  For all minor penalties and the first major penalty committed during a game players will serve the designated time in the penalty box (1:30 for minors 4:00 for majors).  The exception to this is a major penalty for fighting which carries an automatic game misconduct.   Any player that commits a second major penalty in the same game shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty in addition to the major penalty and will be suspended for the next two games of that team.

A misconduct penalty involves the removal of the offending player from the game for 8 minutes of game time.

A game misconduct penalty involves the suspension of a player for the balance of that game and the next game. The only exception to this rule is when a second major in a game is assessed.  In that case there shall be a two-game suspension.
A Gross misconduct and/or Match Penalty involves the suspension of a player for the balance of the game.  The offender shall be ordered to the dressing room immediately.  A player incurring a Match  penalty shall be suspended from participating in any games or practice sessions until the proper authorities have dealt with the case. A mandatory hearing before program administrators shall be held and a decision made relative to any further disciplinary action within 30 days.