Renegades High School Hockey

In an effort to promote healthy high school hockey and ensure compliance with league rules AHAI, the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois, has directed every club to increase its emphasis on the Zero-Tolerance policy. While the Renegades have always supported this policy, we are now publishing, reviewing, and distributing these guidelines to ensure that every Renegades participant fully understands Zero-Tolerance. It's important to remember that the actions of each and every one of us reflect upon the whole organization. We're proud of the Renegades and especially proud of our players, coaches and families. Let's work to build our reputation as one of the best high school hockey organizations in the state.

Zero-Tolerance is simply that; no inappropriate behavior will be tolerated at any time by anyone associated with High School hockey, and disciplinary action will be taken to enforce this policy. All players, coaches, and spectators, are required to conduct themselves appropriately in order to promote the values of good sportsmanship and make ice hockey a desirable and rewarding experience for all participants. The Renegades High School Hockey Club will take action to ensure that no participant is abusive to officials or other participants. Any inappropriate conduct could result in ejection from the rink, a team suspension, or game forfeiture.

In addition, violators can be required to appear before the Renegades Rules and Ethics Committee, or Rules and Ethics Committees of the IHSHL or AHAI and subject to additional suspension or other action. The Renegades can institute disciplinary action even if no penalty is called by the referee.

Any questions, concerns or comments should be directed to Mark DiCosola, who Chairs the Renegades Rules and Ethics Committee

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 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

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.

Any time that a coach persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty.

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.

SPECTATORS/PARENTS
On-ice officials will stop the game when the spectators/parents 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 the spectators/parents from the spectator's viewing and game area. Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced and violators will incur a minimum mandatory 3-game suspension from that team's games and may be subject to further disciplinary action by the Renegades, the IHSHL, AHAI and other authorities. This inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall include:

1) Use of obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at anytime.

2) Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or physical violence.

3) Throwing of any object in the spectators viewing area, players’ bench, penalty box or on ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.

ADDITIONAL PENALTIES

The following rules have been implemented for all ice hockey games played in the State of Illinois during the 2005-06 season. All USA Hockey registered teams (whether registered with AHAI or not) must abide by these additional penalties: A. In regards to Rule 613 - Fisticuffs (Fighting) of the official Playing Rules of USA Hockey, the following addition has been imposed on all games under the jurisdiction of AHAI: Any player who is assessed a penalty for fisticuffs under Rule 613 shall be suspended for the next three (3) games of that team not including the game in which the penalty was assessed. Any player, coach, team, manager, association, club or individual violating this Rule shall be referred to the AHAI Rules & Ethics Committee and/or AHAI Suspension Committee for disciplinary action. Any team participating in a league based outside Illinois, or, any other Illinois team participating in a game outside the State of Illinois, shall follow regular USA Hockey Rules and/or the Rules of the Affiliate/Federation, and/or tournament rules they are playing that game within. These penalties supercede the USA Hockey Playing Rules (2005-07 edition).