Minneapolis Winter Storm Tournament
26th Annual
January 25-27, 2012
Parade Ice Garden
Minneapolis, MN
TOURNAMENT RULES
1. All games will be played under USA Hockey Rules as modified by MN Hockey with additions and
exceptions listed below.
2. All teams participating must be registered with USA Hockey or another International Ice Hockey
Federation (IIHF) affiliate such as the Canadian Hockey Association (Hockey Canada). Participation
is subject to approval by the Tournament Director.
3. Only USA Hockey registered referees will be used.
4. Credentials - Each team must present the following credentials package to the tournament
Credentials Committee prior to participating in the tournament. Any team that does not have a
properly completed credentials package will not be allowed to participate in the tournament.
Minnesota District Teams
 Player Roster completely filled out including the signatures of all participants (players and team
officials). This roster must be signed by an individual that is authorized to approve rosters.

A copy or photo copy of the IMR for each rostered player. Players registered and rostered via
the Cyber Sport Registration System do not need IMR copies.

A copy or photo copy of the IMR for each rostered team official. Team officials registered and
rostered via the Cyber Sport Registration System do not need IMR copies. Individuals listed as
“Managers” on the Official Roster are not allowed on the bench.

An approval letter from the Minnesota District Registrar for any player that is playing in a
younger age group than is implicit based on the player’s birthdate.
Winter Storm – Tournament Rules
(Credentials – cont’d)
Non-Minnesota District Teams
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
Player Roster completely filled out including the signatures of all participants (players and team
officials). This roster must be signed by an individual that is authorized to approve rosters.

A copy or photo copy of the IMR for each rostered player. Players registered and rostered via
the Cyber Sport Registration System do not need IMR copies.

A birth certificate issued by a governmental body (not a hospital certificate or a baptismal
certificate) or passport for each rostered player.

A copy or photo copy of the IMR for each rostered team official. Team officials registered and
rostered via the Cyber Sport Registration System do not need IMR copies. Individuals listed as
“Managers” on the Official Roster are not allowed on the bench.
5. All players must wear HECC or CSA approved helmets and facemasks.
6. All Players including Goalkeepers are required to wear internal, colored mouth piece, which covers
all remaining teeth of one jaw, customarily the upper.
7. Medical Attention - A Certified Athletic Trainer, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), paramedic or
medical or osteopathic physician shall be retained by the sanctioned tournament and in attendance at
all games. The retained medical personnel has the final say on whether an injured player can return
to the game.
8. A maximum of Twenty (20) players, including goaltenders may be rostered and dressed by each
team for each game. Home teams will wear light jerseys. Not more than four (4) adults (coaches only)
will be allowed in the player's box during games.
9. All 10U and 12U Games will consist of 3 – 12 minute stop time periods. The ice will be resurfaced
before every game.
10. The Tournament will use the standard black puck.
11. Each team receives one one-minute time out per game to be used in regulation time only. There
are no time outs allowed in overtime. All teams must be prepared to take the ice fifteen (15) minutes
prior to the posted start time.
12. Running time begins in the third period when a team gains a five (5) – goal advantage. The clock
will revert to stop time if the five (5) - goal advantage is not maintained.
Winter Storm – Tournament Rules
13. Tie Breaker for Round-robin standings (10U):
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a. At the end of Pool Play, the overall standings shall be determined on the basis of two (2) points for
a win one (1) for a tie. There is no overtime in pool-play games.
b. At the end of all pool play games, if two or more teams have an equal number of points, their
position in the standings will be determined by:
1. The results of games played in the following order: 1.The points acquired in these games (Head to
Head Play) 2. The greatest of goal differential of all games played in pool play (total goals scored
minus total goals allowed). 3. Fewest goals allowed in all games played in pool play. 4. The Most
goals scored of all games in Pool Play. 5. The fewest total penalty minutes of all games played in
pool play. 6. Winner of coin flip receives the higher standing.
14. Bracket games (12U) and all Award-game Tie Breaker (games on Sunday):
a. If there is a tie at the end of regulation time there will be a one (1) minute rest period followed by a
five (5) minute running time, three (3) on three (3) sudden death overtime. If after the five (5) minute
overtime period the game still remains tied there will be a shoot-out.
b. Shoot-out Rules: Players will begin from the red line. Only one shot allowed – no rebounds. If
player loses control of the puck it will count as a shot on goal. The goalies will remain in the net as
they were at the end of the third period. The first group of five (5) players, determined by the coach at
the end of overtime, will take alternate shots at the opponent’s goal, with the visitor being the first to
shoot. If there is a goal difference after the first five (5) players from each team have taken a shot the
team with the most goals will be the winner of the game. If there is still a tie after the first round of five
players, then the shootout will revert to a “sudden victory” shoot out with the HOME team always
shooting last. In “sudden victory” the visiting team wins by scoring a goal followed by the home team
not scoring a goal. The home team wins by scoring a goal immediately following the visiting team not
scoring a goal. A team must use all rostered players (except dressed backup goalie) once before any
player can take a second shot. A player with time remaining on a penalty after the sudden death
period is completed will not be allowed to participate in the shoot out.
15. Penalties:
a. Minor: 1.5 Minutes (90 seconds)
b. Major: 5 Minutes,
c. Misconduct: 10 Minutes
d. Game Misconduct: Game Plus 1 Additional game.
e. Fighting: Any player receiving a penalty for fighting will be suspended for the balance of the
tournament.
f. Any player who receives more than 3 penalties will be out for the balance of the game.
Winter Storm – Tournament Rules
(Penalties – Cont’d)
g. In the event of excessive penalties, (more than a combined total of 15 penalties for both teams) the
Tournament Director may at his sole discretion decide to change that game from stop time to running
time for the balance of the game.
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16. Conduct
a. Any abusive language or conduct directed to the game or tournament officials by players, coaches,
managers, parents or spectators, will not be tolerated. There will be no protests: decisions by the
tournament or game officials are final.
b. Racial or ethnic slurs and/or harassing conduct of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in a
Game Misconduct to offender.
c. Each team is responsible for the conduct of its spectators. Coaches should advise their parents
and other fans of the conduct rules.
d. If spectator conduct becomes so abusive, that in the referee(s) opinion, it is distracting the
referee(s) may stop play and:
1. Ask the coach(es) to control their spectators.
2. Ask the coach(es) to request specified individuals to leave the area.
3. Use of disruptive of artificial noise-makers will be considered abusive conduct.
4. Possession of a device that could be deemed detrimental to the players or to the conduct of the
game, such as a laser pointer, will be considered abusive conduct and reported to local Law
Enforcement.
e. Failure of a coach to cooperate with a referee’s request within 2 minutes will result in a match
penalty for the coach and a warning from the referee that after an additional 2 minutes, without coach
cooperation, the game may be forfeited to the opposing team at the discretion of the Tournament
Director..
f. Spectators standing by boards behind the goalkeeper are not allowed to deliberately distract the
goalkeeper. The referee may request anyone in violation of this rule to move or leave the arena. In an
appropriate case the Tournament Director may declare the game to be forfeited to the team of the
Goalkeeper being distracted.
17. Additional Consequences for abusive or inappropriate language or behavior will be at the sole
discretion of the Tournament Director and may include player or coach ejection from the current
game and or games for the balance of the tournament or from the arena.
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