Official Bylaws & Rules can also be viewed here.

Goal Miners Hockey League (GMHL) - Official Bylaws

Article I – Name & Purpose

The organization shall be known as the Goal Miners Hockey League (GMHL). The purpose of

the league is to promote organized recreational hockey in a safe, fair, and sportsmanlike

environment for adult participants. The GMHL is organized as a member-driven, Board-

governed recreational hockey league.

Article II – Governance

Section 1. Board Composition

The Goal Miners Hockey League (GMHL) shall be governed by a Board of Directors

consisting of seven (7) members: the President, Treasurer, and five (5) Team

Representatives (one from each participating team). The Board shall act as the governing

body of the GMHL and is responsible for interpreting and enforcing all bylaws, managing

league operations, and maintaining the integrity, safety, and financial stability of the league.

Section 2. President

The President serves as the chief executive officer of the league and is responsible for the

overall direction, administration, and operation of the GMHL. The President’s duties include

presiding over all Board and league meetings, enforcing bylaws and policies, representing

the league externally, coordinating with the Treasurer and Team Representatives,

overseeing disciplinary actions, and managing relationships with rink management, referee

associations, and sponsors.

The President shall vote only in the event of a tie and may make urgent operational

decisions between meetings, subject to later Board review.

Section 3. Treasurer

The Treasurer is responsible for the financial management and recordkeeping of the league.

The Treasurer’s duties include collecting fees, maintaining financial records, managing

accounts, preparing financial reports, coordinating with the President on budgets and

expenditures, and determining the spares fee and player-related financial obligations. The

Treasurer may recommend suspension of players or teams for unpaid fees, subject to Board

confirmation.

Section 4. Team Representatives

Each Team Representative (Team Rep) serves as the liaison between their team and the

GMHL Board. Team Representatives’ duties include attending all Board meetings or

appointing a substitute, voting on league matters, ensuring team compliance with league

rules, communicating league updates, reporting issues to the Board, and promoting

sportsmanship. Team Representatives must act in the best interest of the league as a whole,

not solely their individual teams.

Section 5. Voting & Quorum

Each Board member shall have one (1) vote, except the President, who votes only to break a

tie. A quorum shall consist of at least five (5) Board members. Decisions require a simple

majority vote to pass. Voting may occur in person, electronically, or by written proxy as

approved by the Board. All votes and decisions shall be recorded in official league records.

Section 6. Terms, Vacancies, and Removal

Board members serve one (1) season terms, renewable annually before the new season.

Vacancies shall be filled by Board appointment. Any Board member may be removed for

cause (misconduct, neglect of duty, or violation of bylaws) by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the

remaining members.

Article III – Meetings

Section 1. Regular Meetings

The Board of Directors shall meet at least two (2) times per season — once before the start

of the season and once after the conclusion of playoffs. Additional meetings may be called

by the President or by request of any two (2) Board members. Notice of meetings shall be

provided to all Board members at least seven (7) days in advance, except in cases of

emergency. Meetings may be held in person or electronically, provided that all members

can actively participate.

Section 2. Quorum & Voting

A quorum shall consist of at least five (5) of the seven (7) Board members. Decisions shall

be made by simple majority of those present. The President shall vote only to break a tie.

Voting may occur in person or electronically.

Article IV – Membership

Membership is open to all individuals meeting league eligibility and payment

requirements.

All players must be a minimum of nineteen (19) years of age prior to participating in

any league game.

Players must remain members in good standing and comply with all bylaws and playing

rules.

League fees are set annually by the Treasurer and approved by the Board.

Players who fail to make timely payments may be suspended until payment is received.

Repeated No Call / No Show incidents without 24-hour notice shall be reported to the

board for the board to determine current and future league membership.

Article V – Spares & Player Eligibility

A Spares List is maintained by the Board with assigned ratings.

Substitutes must come from this list unless otherwise approved by the Board.

Permanent replacements must be approved by the board.

Team Representatives have two games to replace a player on leave before Board

intervention.

Once a spare becomes a permanent player, they are subject to all league rules and fees.

Article VI – Code of Conduct

Members shall act in a sportsmanlike and respectful manner toward players, referees,

and spectators.

Abuse of officials, obscene language, or violent conduct may result in suspension or

expulsion.

The use or possession of alcohol, tobacco, or illegal substances within rinks or on school

grounds is prohibited. Where facilities permit alcohol consumption, such use must

comply with all facility rules and regulations, and participants are responsible for

ensuring proper conduct and cleanup.

Members must maintain decorum and be mindful of youth and families present.

Article VII – Discipline & Appeals

The Board may suspend or expel members for violations, unpaid fees, or misconduct.

Suspensions may be appealed in writing within seven (7) days of notice.

Appeals will be reviewed by the Board, whose decision is final.

Article VIII– Player Removal & Eligibility

Section 1. Grounds for Removal

A player may be removed for disciplinary violations, safety concerns, chronic

attendance or payment issues, decline in ability that poses a risk, or limited roster

availability.

The Board may prioritize returning members in good standing when roster spots are

limited.

Section 2. Review & Decision Process

The Board shall review all player removal concerns.

The player will be notified and may be asked to meet with the Board to discuss the

issue.

The Board may vote to issue a warning, suspend, or remove the player from the league.

A simple majority vote shall decide removal, with the President voting only to break a

tie.

Section 3. Refunds & Reinstatement

Players removed for disciplinary or safety reasons are not entitled to refunds.

Players removed for non-disciplinary reasons may receive a pro-rated refund at the

Board’s discretion.

Removed players may apply for reinstatement in future seasons subject to Board

approval and available roster space.

Section 4. Player Rights

The league will make reasonable efforts to communicate concerns before removal,

except in urgent safety or severe misconduct cases.

Players may appeal removal decisions following Article VI – Discipline and Appeals.

Article IX – Amendments

Amendments to these bylaws must be submitted in writing to the Board.

Changes require a majority vote of the Board and shall take effect immediately upon

adoption and distribution to all Team Representatives (“publication”).

The Board of Directors may, by majority vote, approve the expansion of the Board from

seven (7) to nine (9) members if deemed necessary for effective league administration.

In the event of such expansion, the additional positions shall be appointed by the Board

and may include roles such as Vice President, Scheduler, or Referee Liaison.

Goal Miners Hockey League (GMHL) - Playing Rules

I. Game Format & Equipment

1. No slap shots are permitted.

2. Each team may dress a maximum of ten (10) skaters plus one (1) goaltender.

3. Teams may play with fewer than ten players at their discretion if attempt has been made to find spare player of similar rating; refusal to play results in a forfeit.

4. Games shall consist of three (3) twelve-minute (12:00) stop-time periods.

5. No timeouts are permitted during regular season play.

6. Overtime will be used only during playoff games, as determined by the league schedule.

7. All players must wear a CSA- or HECC-approved hockey helmet with the chin strap securely fastened at all times during play.Helmets must be in good condition and free of cracks, missing padding, or other visible damage.

8. Full-face protection (such as a cage or visor) is strongly recommended for all players.

9. The GMHL recognizes that some players may use older helmets for comfort or fit; however, players do so at their own risk and are responsible for ensuring that their equipment is safe and functional.

10. The league reserves the right to prohibit any helmet deemed unsafe or unsuitable for play by referees or the Board of Directors.

11. Goalies must wear full protective gear including neck guard.

12. Any player found wearing equipment deemed unsafe by the referee will not be permitted to play until corrected.

II. Substitutions & Rosters

13. Permanent rosters must be submitted prior to the first game of the season.

14. When a rostered player is absent, a spare of the same rating must be used. Spares must be drawn from the official GMHL Spares List unless otherwise approved by the Board. If no equal-rated spare is available, the Team Representative may request approval to use a spare within one rating level (higher or lower), subject to agreement by the opposing Team Representative.

15. If Spares cannot be drawn from the official Spares list, available players from GMHL teams not playing can be used.

16. A permanent player replacement should be of equal rating, if no equal-rated spare is available, a replacement player within one rating level (higher or lower) must be approved by the Board.

17. Teams using an ineligible or unapproved player will forfeit the game.

18. Goalies may be borrowed from another team or spare list.

III. Penalties & Discipline

19. Referees shall enforce standard NHL rules unless otherwise stated by these league rules.

20. Minor penalties are 1½ minutes, major penalties 4 minutes, and misconducts 10 minutes.

21. A player is ejected after three (3) minor penalties, or one (1) minor and one (1) major in the same game.

22. A player assessed a game misconduct will be suspended for the following game.

23. A player assessed a match penalty (intent to injure) shall be automatically suspended indefinitely pending review by the Board.

24. Any physical abuse or threat directed at an official will result in immediate expulsion from the league.

25. Players showing repeated penalty issues may be suspended or expelled from the league.

26. Any player assessed a fighting penalty shall be suspended for a minimum of two (2) games. Additional discipline may be imposed by the GMHL Board of Directors for incidents deemed excessive, retaliatory, or involving multiple participants.

27. A second fighting penalty in the same season will result in expulsion from the league.

28. Verbal abuse, racial slurs, or discriminatory remarks of any kind will not be tolerated and may result in expulsion by the Board.

29. If a player is disrespectful to officials, they may be suspended or expelled at the Board’s discretion.

IV. Gameplay & Infractions

30. High stick (non-penalty) infractions result in a faceoff at the furthest neutral zone dot.

31. Icing is from the red line; legal if the defending team is shorthanded.

32. Two-line passes are legal (no red line).

33. Offsides will follow the tag-up rule.

34. Referees may end a game early if player conduct or safety becomes a concern.

V. League Points & Standings

35. Wins = 2 points, Tie (losing team in shootout) = 1 point, Losses = 0 points.

36. Shootout format will start off with each team’s goalie shooting first, then followed by rated 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 skaters in sequence. Only one shootout round is needed to determine the winner, meaning one team scores in a round and the other team does not. The shootout continues until there is a winner in a given round. If any goalie does not want to participate with shooting, then the shootout will begin with rated 5 skaters.

37. Forfeits are recorded as a 3-0 loss.

38. Standings tiebreakers (in order): Head-to-head record, Goal differential, Goals for, Fewest penalty minutes, Coin toss.

VI. Playoffs

39. The playoff format and seeding shall be determined by the Board prior to the start of playoffs.

40. Typically, the playoffs are formatted as a round robin followed by a final deciding game played by the top two performing teams. The board may set different rules ahead of the playoffs, but round robin games are typically decided by a shootout like a regular season game. Sudden death overtime would be played in the event of a tie in the final deciding game and would start with 5-on-5 for 5 minutes followed by 3-on-3 for 3 minutes (if necessary), followed by a shootout (if necessary).

41. Suspended players are ineligible to participate until suspension is fully served.

VII. Alcohol, Tobacco, & Conduct

42. Alcohol consumption is prohibited in or around rink facilities before, during, or immediately after games unless the facility permits it.

43. If permitted, players must clean up after themselves and use plastic cups.

44. Smoking or tobacco use is not allowed in or near rinks.

45. Vaping or cannabis use is prohibited anywhere on rink property.

46. Any player arriving at the rink under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be removed from the game and may face suspension.

47. Teams are responsible for ensuring their players conduct themselves respectfully toward rink staff, officials, and other users of the facility.

VIII. Referees and League Officials

48. Referees’ decisions are final and not subject to on-ice dispute.

49. Only the team captain may communicate respectfully with referees regarding rule clarifications.

50. Verbal abuse, yelling, or aggressive confrontation toward referees by any player will result in a penalty or ejection.

IX. Safety, Injuries, and Equipment

51. Any player suffering a visible injury (e.g., bleeding) must leave the ice immediately until cleaned and bandaged.

52. Any player suspected of concussion must be removed from play and may not return without medical clearance.

53. The league recommends the use of mouthguards and protective equipment at all times.

54. Players are responsible for their own health insurance; the league assumes no liability for injuries.

55. All on-ice incidents resulting in injury must be reported to any Team Representative (to inform the Board of Directors) within 24 hours.