Rules and Ethics
St. Jude Policy Manual
Click on the icon below to download the most up-to-date edition of the St. Jude Policy and Procedures Manual.
Incident Reports
To notify the St. Jude R&E Committee of any incidents, please send an e-mail to rules.ethics@stjudehockey.org.
Click here to view new
USA Hockey and AHAI rules for
Parent and Spectator behavior.
10 WAYS TO BECOME A GOOD HOCKEY PARENT
1.) Get involved with your son or daughters team in a positive way.
2.) Let you son or daughter know you enjoy having them involved with the game
3.) Don’t lose perspective. Emphasize the values associated with the game.
4.) Be supportive and don’t let expectations become a burden to your son or daughter.
5.) Model respectful behavior for your son or daughter.
6.) Be there for your child whether they win or lose.
7.) Make safety, respect, fair play and fun a priority.
8.) Support you child emotionally
9.) Encourage your child to participate but avoid pressuring them to play the game.
10.) Communicate with your sons or daughters coach in a professional effective manner.
FAIR PLAY CODE FOR PARENTS
- I will not force my child to participate in hockey.
- I will remember that my child plays hockey for his or her enjoyment, not mine.
- I will encourage my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
- I will teach my child that doing one’s best is as important as winning, so that my child will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game / event.
- I will make my child feel like a winner every time by offering praise for competing fairly and trying hard.
- I will never ridicule or yell at my child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
- I will remember that children learn best by example.
- I will applaud good plays / performances by both my child’s team and their opponents.
- I will never question the official’s judgement or honesty in public.
- I will support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children’s hockey activities.
- I will respect and show appreciation for the volunteer coaches who give their time to provide hockey experiences for my child.
Dennis McClelland
Rules & Ethics Chairperson
'Relax, It's Just A Game'
Recognizing that aggressive adult behavior is on the rise at young sporting events, USA Hockey and Hockey Canada have partnered to launch a series of public service announcements targeting parental behavior. Lampooning the overzealous, the TV, radio and print PSAs are clever, witty and designed to encourage parents to think to themselves, Relax, Its Just A Game."
Are you a good hockey parent? | Mass. succeeds with parent code
PSAs: Intro video | 'Hide and Seek' | 'Pin the Tail' | 'Potato Sack'
RADIO I | RADIO II | PRINT I | PRINT II
PHOTOS: Angry mother | Angry father
An Important PSA for St. Jude Players, Parents and Spectators
We ask all St. Jude Hockey players, parents and spectators to take a moment to view this important public service announcement.
The St. Jude Knights Hockey Club is a proud affiliate of AHAI and governed by USA HOCKEY.
We are guided by the policies, rules and regulations of NIHL, NWHL, CUHL, CSDHL, AHAI, and USA Hockey.
Please contact Rules & Ethics - St. Jude Board in writing with any questions or concerns.
St. Jude Knights Hockey Club rules and policies for both House League and Travel League.
1.) The only coaches and helpers allowed on the ICE are rostered coaches that have been insured, screened and possess current coaching credentials.
2.) The only people allowed on the BENCH are the Coach and Assistant Coaches that have been insured, screened, ROSTERED and possess current coaching credentials.
3.) No one under the age of 18 may be used as a helper on the ice unless they are in the "Mentoring Program".
4.) Coaches are responsible for their players from the minute they enter the locker room until the locker room has emptied and been secured. - See locker room policy - Please discuss proper behavior in the locker room with your players. Fighting is never allowed in the locker room and is cause for a game suspension.
St. Jude Knights Hockey Club - Travel specific policies.
1.) Maximum of four tournaments per season.
2.) No post-season tournaments.
St. Jude Knights Hockey Club - House specific policies.
1.) Maximum of two tournaments per season.
2.) No post-season tournaments.
Code of Conduct
All St. Jude Knights Hockey Club players, coaches, parents and board members are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful, responsible, and sportsmanlike manner, both on and of the ice.
St. Jude Knights Hockey Club strictly enforces the "Zero Tolerance" rule.
Zero Tolerance
In an effort to keep ice hockey a more desirable and rewarding experience for all participants, AHAI has instructed the Officiating Program to adhere to certain points of emphasis relating to sportsmanship. This campaign is designated to require all players, coaches, officials, team officials, administrators, and parents/spectators to maintain a sportsmanlike and educational atmosphere before, during and after all USA Hockey-sanctioned games. Thus, the following points of emphasis must be implemented by all On-ice Referees and Linesmen:
PLAYERS
A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (Zero Tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a player:
1. Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official.
2. Uses obscene or vulgar language at anytime, including any swearing, even if it is not directed at a particular person.
3. Visually demonstrates any sign of dissatisfaction with an official's decision. Anytime that a player persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a misconduct penalty. A game misconduct shall result if the player continues such action.
Any player receiving a game misconduct penalty in a league game (NIHL, NWHL, CUHL, CSDHL, AHAI) will receive a 1 game suspension to be served the next previously scheduled league game, If a practice game had been previously scheduled prior to the next league game, the player is suspended for that game as well. If the player receives a game misconduct penalty in a practice game or non-league tournament game, that player is to be suspended for the next previously scheduled game.
COACHES
A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (Zero Tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a coach:
1. Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official.
2. Uses obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at anytime.
3. Visually displays any sign of dissatisfaction with an official's decision, including standing on the boards or standing in the bench doorway with the intent of inciting the officials, players or spectators.
Anytime that a coach persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty.
Game Misconducts - League Games (NIHL, NWHL, CUHL, CSDHL, AHAI)
Any Coach receiving a game misconduct penalty in a league game (NIHL, NWHL, CUHL, CSDHL, AHAI) will receive an additional 3 game suspension to be served the next 3 previously scheduled league games. If a practice game had been scheduled or is scheduled the coach is suspended for this game as well and this does not satisfy the suspension.
Game Misconducts - Practice games or Non-league tournament game
Any Coach receiving a game misconduct penalty in a practice game or a non-league tournament game will be given a 3 game suspension, the coach is to serve his suspension the next 3 previously scheduled games.
DURING THE SUSPENSION, THE COACH WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO COACH IN ANY CAPACITY, INCLUDING ANY PRACTICES, GAMES, PRE-GAMES, POST-GAMES etc. ( The coach will be allowed to sit in the stands and watch his child play, If a suspended coach violates the suspension he must appear in front of Rules & Ethics, the coach will remain suspended until such an appearance has been completed.)
This is a St. Jude Knights Hockey Club rule.
OFFICIALS
Officials are required to conduct themselves in a businesslike, sportsmanlike, impartial and constructive manner at all times. The actions of an official must be above reproach. Actions such as baiting, or inciting players or coaches are strictly prohibited. On-ice officials are ambassadors of the game and must always conduct themselves with this responsibility in mind.
PARENTS/SPECTATORS
The game will be stopped by on-ice officials when the parents/spectators displaying inappropriate and disruptive behavior interfere with other spectators or the game. The on-ice officials will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the spectators viewing and game area.
Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced and violators may be subject to further disciplinary action by the local governing body. This inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall include:
Use of obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at anytime. Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or physical violence.
Throwing of any object in the spectators' viewing area, player's bench, penalty box, or on ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.
Any spectator removed from the playing arena by the official will receive a 3 game suspension to be served the next 3 previously scheduled games, the spectator will not be permitted to enter the playing arena during the 3 games being served.
All rulings are subject to the discretion of the Rules & Ethics Committee
St. Jude Rules & Ethics will enforce "Zero Tolerance" violations on a per situation basis.
St. Jude Knights Hockey Club By Laws
Click on the PDF link below to view/download the St. Jude Knights By Laws
Screening Policy
AHAI Screening Program
A. General: AHAI has implemented a screening program, all ice hockey coaches and managers must consent to be screened, complete an Authorization to Release Information Form, be fingerprinted at an AHAI authorized Fingerprint Service Center, retain and produce upon inquiry by AHAI or the organization for which the indidvidual coaches, a receipt stamped by the authorized Fingerprint Service Center showing that the coach was fingerprinted and provided the Authorization to Release Information Form.
B. Deadlines: All Tier I and Tier II Coaches will complete the Authorization to Release Information Form and be fingerprinted by October 15 of the current playing season. All High School and House League Coaches will complete the Authorization to Release Information Form and be fingerprinted by November 15 of the current playing season. All others must complete the Authorization to Release Information Form and be fingerprinted within thirty (30) days after beginning any coaching activity, which includes clinics, powerskating, and any other "on ice" or "off ice" hockey activities.
C. Screening Results and Procedure: Each coach will be advised in writing of any adverse information as a result of the screening process.
D. Compliance: Each member association and coach shall comply with the forms and instruction issued by AHAI.
E. Proceudres to Implement: The AHAI Screening Committee may prepare and distribute additional rules and procedures to implement this policy. For instance, if the coach has not resided in Illinois for a reasonable period of time, the Screening Committee may request a screen from the State of prior residence, or if the coach affirmatively answers a question on the Authorization to Release Information Form, the Screening Committee may authorize a full screen even if the coach did not come up as a random screen person.
F. Refusal to be Screened: Any individual required to be screened who does not consent to be screened and complete the Authorization Form shall not be allowed to participate in amateur hockey in Illinois or in any sanctioned USA Hockey event.
G. Non-Compliance: Any member association and/or coach not complying with this rule will be referred to the AHAI Rules and Ethics Committee for appropriate action.
St. Jude Waiver of Liability Form
In consideration for receiving permission to participate in the St. Jude Knights Hockey Club, all players must sign & submit our Waiver of Liability form. Please click on the PDF link below and print out the form.
Please read, sign and submit to St. Jude Hockey Club.
