The Family Fun Hockey League (FFHL) is a Dauphin Joint Recreation Commission sponsored program that provides recreational hockey experiences to local youth. As the name implies, the aim of the league is to encourage family involvement (siblings on the same team; parents helping out in the dressing room and behind the bench; people volunteering together to make the experience FUN for all.)
This mix of adults, adolescents and children provides an environment of learning – about hockey, teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play. Since there is no particular championship at stake (we don’t keep standings, and try to continually balance teams to maintain fair competition) the reason we stay involved is purely for the love of the game.
Games are played between 4:30PM and 7:30PM on Mondays, and 4:15 to 7:15PM on Thursdays. There will be an early and late game each night.
Things the Family Fun League Values
Affordability
- Registration rates are kept as low as possible
Fair play
- “Kids play at level consistent with their ability”
- Teams are balanced – lines are competitive
- Coaches may “share” players to keep teams as “even” as possible (Our focus is on player development and improvement over the course of the season)
- No keeping of “stats” other than limiting players to scoring three goals per game
Access
- All kids, regardless of ability, gender or affiliation are welcome
Our Informal Fair Play Code of Ethics
Parents “participate” in the experience by helping out with:
- Coaching
- Coaches are responsible for organizing a ten minute pre-game “practice” during every scheduled game
- Officiating
- Teams are required to provide one person to assist with officiating each game
- Time-keeping
- Teams are required to provide one person to assist with time keeping duties each game
- Supervising dressing room (tie skates, etc…)
- Winning isn’t emphasized – participating in healthy, active competition as a “team-mate” is most important
- Parents are encouraged to cheer good play on both teams
- Players are encouraged to demonstrate Fair Play (Minimize penalties, encourage other players, etc…)
Participants
Any youth (Male or Female) born between January 1, and December 31, is eligible for registration in the FFHL. Female players born in have the option of playing an extra year. When registration numbers become large enough that the league must stop accepting registrations, preference to who we accept will be given to players who have no other option for playing organized hockey.
All participants are required to wear full hockey equipment of good fit and condition; helmet with full face shield/cage; neck guard, shoulder pads, hockey pants; athletic supporter; shin pads, elbow pads, hockey gloves and skates.
Prior to the season (During our Pre-season and power-skating practices) players are observed and evaluated. This is done to evenly distribute players (age, skill and experience) between teams. FFHL is considering the option of doing this more than once per season in order to keep teams balanced throughout the year.
Individual families are responsible to provide adequate personal accident and/or liability insurance for participating children
Parent/Coach Involvement
FFHL requires parents to get involved. Consider coaching, working the timekeepers box, helping out in the dressing room… whatever. PLEASE CONSIDER BECOMING INVOLVED.
Parent volunteers run the FFHL. The hockey experience of these volunteers varies, but each one understands the aims of the program and has agreed to provide supervision with a special view to participant safety and enjoyment of the experience.
Coaches understand that team balance is crucial to FFHL success. The following guidelines are recommended and applied to the best of our ability:
- Use two goalies per team per game – one “small” goalie to match small and medium line – one “medium/big” goalie to match medium and big lines
- Create line combinations which considers player age and skill level
- Rotating players so all have an opportunity to play goalie at least once per season
Coach/Referee Guidelines
Players are limited to scoring three goals per game.
Player lines – if a player is playing on an upper line and is required to double-shift on a lower line they are restricted from scoring on the lower line. That player can set up goals and be actively involved in the play – FFHL simply restricts scoring to one line (upper).
Player sharing (before game start) – from time to time it might be necessary to “swap” players between teams to make line-ups fair and competitively balanced. Coaches will meet before each game start and discuss “swapping” options.
Player sharing (during game) – In the instance that a game experiences a runaway score (greater than 7 goal differential), the game is awarded to the winning team. Coaches may then “swap” players to equalize skill levels, the game score is reset to 0-0, and a new game begins.
Penalties – penalties will be called as they occur. Referees will use discretion when calling games, however obvious infractions will be called.
Penalty time – minor penalties are 2 minutes in duration. The player must serve the entire time (in the event the shift ends prior to serving complete time the remainder will be served during player’s next shift.)
Two-line passes – no centre line in effect, therefore no stopping of play for two line pass.
Offside – tag-up offside rule applies – players have the opportunity to clear the offensive zone if they are not onside.
Game Format
Typically, players take to the ice at their designated time and skate to warm-up. Once all players are on the ice coaches lead their teams through stretching exercises and practice a few skating and hockey drills. After about 5-10 minutes the game begins and players spend the remainder of the time in game situation.
During games teams match lines (Three lines are usually used) and play kids of the same age/skill level against each other. Shifts are two minutes long and a buzzer sounds to signal the next age/group lines to take the ice.
Fair Play FFHL Rules
Teams do not take to the ice until preceded by at least one on-ice adult (coach).
Players not adequately equipped may be denied permission to play until shortcomings are corrected.
Slap-shots are not allowed at any time (wind-up over the knee).
Intentional body contact is not allowed.
Intent to injury constitutes immediate suspension from play for remainder of game plus one additional game. The offending player will be required to make appropriate apologies to players and coaches before being allowed to rejoin the team.
Foul language, taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct is not permitted. Benching and/or suspension of offending player is at the discretion of the player’s coach and/or game referee.
Foul language, taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct of parents/spectators will not be tolerated. Game referee and/or coaches may ask for game to be stopped until offending person(s) are ejected.