Zero Tolerance Policy

The Sabre Hockey Association (“SHA”) is governed by the policies, rules and regulations of NIHL, NWHL, CSDHL, AHAI, and USA Hockey. We expect our players, coaches, parents and other Sabre spectators to follow the words and the spirit of the ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY (“ZTP”) of USA Hockey and AHAI, which is described below. Please also note the SHA policy relating to violations of the ZTP in the summary.

The SHA Rules & Ethics Committee will investigate and take appropriate action on any ZTP issue brought to our attention, whether or not a penalty or suspension is imposed for the conduct in question.

If you witness an incident that you believe may violate the ZTP, we urge you to contact us at rulesandethics@sabrehockey.com with the following information: date/time of incident, location, teams involved, Sabre coach’s name (if known), names of people involved, description of incident and your contact information. Your contact information will not be shared, but is necessary for any follow-up questions we may have.

Our reputation is our greatest asset. SHA thanks you for your support in complying with the ZTP and for encouraging the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship for all of our players, coaches and families.

In an effort to keep ice hockey a more desirable and rewarding experience for all participants, USA Hockey and AHAI have instructed SHA 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 any time, 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. Any time 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.

Note: Under USA Hockey rules, a player receiving a game misconduct penalty shall automatically serve a minimum one-game suspension to be served at the team’s next game. A player receiving a game misconduct penalty as a result of a “second major in a game” shall serve a minimum two-game suspension. (Other USA Hockey penalty rules may also apply – see Rules 401-410 and Rule 601 in USA Hockey Rules and Regulations.) Under AHAI rules, any player receiving a game misconduct penalty for fisticuffs shall serve a one-game suspension.

Any player who receives a second major penalty for fighting with the same team during the same season shall receive a three-game suspension. For a third fighting major with the same team in the same season, the player shall be suspended until a hearing is conducted by the proper authorities under Rule 410 Supplementary Discipline.

SHA Policy: A Sabre player receiving a game misconduct penalty in any game will serve a one-game suspension to be served at the team’s next game after the game in which the misconduct penalty occurred. The Rules & Ethics Committee may, at its discretion, recommend further remedial action after a player’s first game misconduct penalty and one game suspension.

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 any time.

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.

Any time that a coach persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty. Note: Under USA Hockey rules, a coach receiving a game misconduct penalty shall automatically serve a minimum one-game suspension to be served at the team’s next game. Other USA Hockey penalty rules may also apply. 

SHA Policy: A Sabre coach receiving a game misconduct penalty in any game will automatically serve a one-game suspension to be served at the team’s next game after the game in which the misconduct penalty occurred.. During the entire suspension period, the coach will not be permitted to participate in the game in any capacity, including pre- and post-game locker room activities with the team. The Rules & Ethics Committee may, at its discretion, recommend further remedial action after a coach’s first game misconduct penalty and one game suspension.

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

A game will be stopped by on-ice officials when the parents/spectators displaying inappropriate or disruptive behavior interfere with other parents/spectators or the game. The on ice officials will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the parents’/spectators’ viewing and game area. Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced. Violators will incur a minimum mandatory 5-game suspension from that team’s games and may be subject to further disciplinary action by the local governing body.

SHA Policy: Any Sabre spectator (including parents, family members and friends) removed from the playing arena by the official will automatically receive minimum mandatory 5-game suspension from that team’s games. The spectator will not be permitted to enter the playing arena during the five games being served as a suspension. 

This policy applies to all minor USA Hockey Participants up through the youth 18U level and through girls 19U level. It should be noted that an Affiliate may at its discretion adopt stricter policies than those defined by USA Hockey or AHAI, but in no case may said policy be less strict.

In accordance with the AHAI Zero Tolerance guidelines, the Sabres will abide by and enforce 5 game minimum suspensions for any spectators who are removed from the ice viewing surface by an On-Ice Official. This is set forth by AHAI and all Zero Tolerance Policy suspensions WILL NOT be eligible for an appeal with the SHA. It will then be determined by the SHA Rules & Ethics Committee whether any further discipline is necessary.

In addition, the Rules & Ethics Committee will investigate and take action on matters involving inappropriate spectator behavior that does not result in a suspension, but may violate the spirit of the ZTP or otherwise reflect negatively on the Sabre organization.

In addition to the provisions stated above, SHA has memorialized these long-standing practices. While this list is not exhaustive, we believe this common sense approach to good behavior is in the best interest of the players, parents and coaches of Sabre Hockey. 

• A parent should not approach a coach or discuss with a coach a game, game incident or a situation that occurred during a game that has provoked an adverse emotional response or created a potentially hostile situation until at least 24 hours after the fact. The intent of this “24-hour Rule” is to move a potential emotional and confrontational discussion away from the presence of the players and other parents and to allow all parties the chance to “cool off” before discussing the situation.
• Parents should treat locker rooms as private places for players and coaches. Unless necessary to dress younger players or to attend to an injured child, a parent should not enter a locker room unless invited to do so by a coach who is present with the parent at all times. Each coach will communicate his own locker room pre- and post- game/practice schedule with the players and parents. It is the policy of SHA that only “screened” adults (those who have been fingerprinted and background checked) should be allowed in the locker room when players are present.
• A parent should never enter the ice, player benches, penalty box or scoring box at any time before, during or after a game without express permission of the home team manager, a coach or an on-ice official.  

For any Team Official or Player service a suspension for a prior game misconduct violation or disciplinary suspension, the suspension will commence 45 minutes prior to the start of each game and conclude 30 minutes following the conclusion of each game. The Team Official or Player serving the suspension shall be prohibited from:

1. Having any interaction, involvement, or communication “in person”, electronically, or otherwise with the team.
2. Being present in the locker room.
3. Being on or near the bench of their team.

Any violation of the Rule may result in supplementary discipline and may subject such Team Official of Player to further disciplinary proceedings.