Tournament Rules - 18th Annual Canuck Place Charity Hockey Tournament
Official Rules

18th Annual Canuck Place
Charity Tournament

December 27–30, 2025 • Scotia Barn, Burnaby BC

!
All games are governed by Hockey Canada, BC Hockey, and PCAHA rules. Please review the BC Hockey 2025–26 Minimum Suspension Guidelines for penalty reference.
1

Governing Rules

All games will be governed by the rules and regulations of Hockey Canada, BC Hockey, the PCAHA, and the tournament committee, as set out in this document.

2

Teams

  • All teams must be in good standing with their respective Associations and governing bodies.
  • It is the responsibility of each team to apply for and receive a tournament permission number and/or letter of permission to enter the tournament from their Association and/or governing body.
  • No additional players, coaches or team officials can be added to the roster once the team list has been submitted prior to the first game.
  • Roster will consist of no more than 18 skaters and 2 goaltenders in addition to a maximum of 5 team officials.
  • Affiliate players must be noted on the roster of the first game, as per rules in PCAHA sect. L. (as per BC Hockey, only 1 manager may be listed)
  • Roster must include all players' names and jersey numbers including designation of C and A's, as well as all team officials.
3

Game Times

Division Round Robin Semi-Finals Championship
U11C / U11A, U13C, U13A, U15C 1.25 hrs 1.5 hrs 1.5 hrs
U15A / U18C / U18A 1.5 hrs 1.5 hrs 1.5 hrs
Game Structure

1.25 hr games: 5-minute warm up + three 15-minute periods (stop time)

1.5 hr games: 5-minute warm up + two 15-minute periods (stop time) + one 20-minute third period (stop time)

  • The third period may not be lengthened to fill remaining ice time.
  • The committee reserves the right to shorten the third period due to unforeseen time overruns.
  • At their discretion, on-ice officials can shorten the third period to ½ of remaining ice time.
  • The referee may stop play in case of an injury, regardless of which team has possession.

Mercy Rule

If a team is leading by 5 or more goals starting in the third period, running time will begin and continue until the goal differential is less than 5. Running time is only applicable in the third period. Penalties called during running time will be 3 minutes in duration.

Round Robin Ties

In the event of a tie at the end of regulation time during the round robin, no overtime will be played.

4

Playing Rules

Penalties

  • Misconduct (10 min): Penalties will be served during tournament games. Misconducts received in the last 10 minutes of a game will result in removal from the game.
  • Game Misconduct: Results in removal from the game. A second game misconduct during the tournament will result in suspension for the remainder of the tournament.
  • Match and Gross Misconduct: Results in removal from the game, suspension for the balance of the tournament, and subject to local, district or branch suspension rules.
  • All major penalties and/or game misconducts will result in the player being suspended for a minimum of 1 game and follow BC Hockey minimum suspension guidelines.
  • All major penalties will be reported to the Tournament Director following the game.

*Important: Any player who receives a major and game misconduct within the last 10 minutes of regular time, any time in overtime, or at the conclusion of the game will be suspended for the next two games.

Commencing Play

  • Each team will be ready to commence play at the beginning of the allotted ice time.
  • Failure to field the minimum number of players or refusal to play will result in a loss (5-0) being posted against the offending team. The on-ice officials will give a 2-minute warning during warm up.
  • Players and team officials will remain on the bench until officials are present and allow teams on the ice. 2-minute minor penalties may be assessed to players who take to the ice prior to officials.

Protests and Appeals

  • The decisions of the on-ice officials are final. There are no appeals of on-ice decisions regarding playing rules.
  • The Tournament Director will hear all other protests and appeals.
  • All protests/appeals must be submitted to the Tournament Director in writing within 1 hour of the game ending, accompanied by a $200.00 non-refundable appeal fee.
  • All protests/appeals will be ruled on prior to play of the next game for either of the teams involved.

Team Officials

  • A team official must report to the tournament check-in table at least 30 minutes prior to the start of games or have verified their roster online in "Hi-Sports".
  • The home team will be responsible for changing uniforms in case of colour conflict.

Fair Play

  • Team officials are responsible for ensuring their players conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner at all times during the tournament.
  • Excessive misbehaviour by players may result in suspension from the tournament.
  • At the sole discretion of the Tournament Director, any action by a player, team official or spectator which is dangerous, disruptive, or contrary to fair play may result in expulsion from further play or being banned from the arena facilities.
  • Abuse of game officials on or off the ice will not be tolerated. Any harassment or abuse directed at an official will result in review and may result in suspension.
5

Tournament Format

Round Robin Play

All teams will play 4 round robin games within their division. Points are awarded as follows:

  • Win: 2 points
  • Tie: 1 point
  • Loss: 0 points

Goal differential will be recorded with no team able to record a +/- rating of greater than 5 goals per game.

Tie-Breaking Method

If two or more teams have equal points, standings are determined by:

  1. Head-to-head results
  2. Team with the most wins
  3. Best overall goal differential rating
  4. Team with the least penalty minutes
  5. Flip of the coin

Playoffs – U11A / U15A / U18A

The top 4 teams will play each other in semi-final play:

1st VS 4th
2nd VS 3rd
  • Both winning teams will play in the Championship game
  • Both losing teams will play a game for 3rd and 4th place

Playoffs – U11C / U13C / U13A / U15C / U18C

The top 2 teams in each pool will play each other in semi-final play:

1st Pool A VS 2nd Pool B
1st Pool B VS 2nd Pool A
  • Both winning teams will play in the Championship game
  • Both losing teams will play a game for 3rd and 4th place

Overtime (Semi-finals and Championship)

In the event of a tie at the end of regular time during a semi-final or championship game:

  • There will be a 2-minute rest at the players bench
  • Followed by a 5-minute sudden victory overtime period
  • Each team will play 4 skaters and a goaltender
  • Penalties during overtime will result in playing short-handed but not with less than 3 skaters
  • If no score during overtime, the game proceeds to a shootout

Shootout – First Round (3 Shooters)

  • Coaches will designate 3 eligible shooters from each team
  • The coin toss winner chooses to shoot first or second
  • Teams alternate shooters until all 3 have shot
  • Winner determined by most goals scored
  • When it becomes impossible for a team to win, remaining shooters will not be required to shoot

Note: Players serving a minor penalty in overtime whose time has not elapsed are not eligible to shoot in the first round.

Shootout – Second Round (Sudden Death)

  • Coaches choose one shooter at a time (must not have shot before)
  • The team that went first in round one now goes second
  • Sudden death format: if one team scores and the other does not, the scoring team wins
  • If both score or both miss, select another new shooter and repeat
  • Once all players have shot, coaches may choose any player to shoot again

Time Outs & Ice Cleans

  • Time outs: Teams are allowed one 30-second timeout per game
  • Ice cleans: There will be no ice cleans during tournament games