Adult Rec Tournament Rules

All participants must be 18 years of age or older as of the first game of the tournament.

4-Game Minimum Guarantee. Every team is guaranteed at least 4 games — 3 pool play games plus at least one playoff or consolation game.

Teams must submit rosters prior to the roster lock deadline. All players must appear on the submitted roster to participate. Guest players are permitted with advance approval from the tournament director.

Each team must have a designated team captain responsible for communication with tournament staff and officials.

All players must wear HECC-certified helmets. Full face protection (cage or visor) is strongly recommended. Mouth guards are recommended.

Goaltenders must wear full goaltending equipment. No half-equipment goalies permitted.

Body checking is prohibited in all AHN Adult Rec divisions. This is a non-contact recreational format.

Incidental body contact during normal puck battles along the boards or in front of the net is permitted. Intentional contact is not.

A player who body-checks an opponent will receive a 2-minute minor penalty for the first offense.

Repeat body-checking violations will result in a game misconduct and potential suspension from remaining tournament games.

No slap shots in C and D divisions. Snap shots and wrist shots are permitted. Violation results in a minor penalty and loss of possession. (A and B divisions: slap shots permitted.)

Minor (2 min): Standard USA Hockey minor penalties apply — tripping, hooking, holding, interference, elbowing, high sticking, body checking.

Double Minor (4 min): High sticking resulting in bleeding; all double-minor situations per USA Hockey rules.

Major + Game Misconduct (5 min): Boarding, charging, fighting, checking from behind, or any action deemed dangerous by officials. Player is ejected immediately.

Fighting: Immediate ejection from game and suspension from the remainder of the tournament. No exceptions.

Power plays during running-clock games continue for the full penalty time regardless of goals scored.

Any player assessed 2 minor penalties in the same game for body checking will receive an automatic game misconduct.

Zero tolerance for abuse of officials. Any verbal abuse directed at officials results in an immediate game misconduct. Continued abuse results in tournament suspension.

Trash talking, taunting, or unsportsmanlike gestures directed at opponents or officials will result in a 2-minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Team captains are responsible for maintaining control of their players and bench. Out-of-control benches may result in a bench minor at the official's discretion.

Alcohol is strictly prohibited in all rink areas, locker rooms, and benches. Players found to be intoxicated will be removed from the game and may be suspended from the tournament.

AHN tournament staff have authority to remove any player, coach, or spectator who is disruptive, unsafe, or in violation of facility policies.

All official rulings are final. Protests must be filed with the tournament director within 30 minutes of game completion. On-ice judgment calls are not protestable.