Recently two teams complained that players who were not on their opponents roster skated in a game against them. Although we have a rule awarding a forfeit win to the opponent of a team that uses non-rostered players in a playoff game, we did not have a corresponding rule for the regular season.
We are instituting the Non-rostered regular season player rule as of today (May 2, 2013) Teams who use non-rostered and/or underage players (under 17 in the non-age restricted division and under 40 in the over-40 Divisions) will forfeit games that those players participated in.
Important Rules:
We use USA hockey rules as our guide, with the following additions:
- NEW: 2 minute minor at Start of Game for any player without a number printed on back of jersey - EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 15th, 2013
- NEW: 4 minute double minor for HIGH STICKING
- NEW: 4 minute double minor for blatant and excessive checking
- 4 minute double minor for SLASHING
- 4 minute double minor for CROSS-CHECKING
- Four (4) penalties is a game ejection
- Players receiving a game-misconduct are suspended from their next game – NO EXCEPTIONS!
- In the event of a lopsided game please do not run up the score. Games that are one-sided frequently become chippy which leads to penalties and suspensions.
- Do not enter ice surface until zamboni driver has exited and closed the gates.
- If you can't lock the locker room door(s) take your bag to the bench. Thieves have stolen money, cell phones and wallets at every rink.
- The league uses the best refs on the Island and will not tolerate any abuse of officials on or off the ice. If you have a complaint about the refs, don't tell them, email us at: IslandIceHockey@aol.com.
- Slap shots are not permitted in games where one team does not have a goalie. The game is forfeited if a slap shot is taken and directed at a player in goal without goalie equipment.
- Overtime: Five-minute running time. The clock is only stopped for penalties to be assessed. The additional overtime is played at the discretion of rink personnel. In the case of a particularly chippy game referees have the authority to cancel overtime.
- Rinks mandate that referees must be present on the ice for players to use the ice in the event of a forfeit. Insurance policies require that referees supervise the ice slot.
What kind of a hockey league is Midnight Hockey League?
It's an adult no-checking league (checking occurs but is penalized) where safe hockey is stressed above everything else. Players can join with a team, group or as an individual free agent. The league has multiple divisions that cater to the highest level of players to beginners and every level in between.
How does the league minimize player violence?
Over fifteen years ago we recognized that for some players, the penalties that USA Hockey imposed were not enough to deter them from playing in a reckless, physical and abusive manner. We felt there was a need to add another layer of extra penalties for infractions that had the potential to cause injuries. A list of the additional penalties can be viewed if you click on the link for ADDITIONAL PENALTIES. We also realized that even with additional penalties some players cannot play in a controlled, responsible manner. For those players who habitually play in a violent and abusive manner we have had no choice but to bar them, and in some cases their teammates from league play. Many of these players later surface in other leagues where they continue to play in the same reckless manner. We also continue to ask the refs to call the games as tightly as possible. We would rather have the refs call 'borderline' penalties than have a game spin out of control because of seemingly lax penalty calling. If you are one of those players who think hockey is not hockey unless you can hit someone do not register in our league.
Where are the rinks?
We schedule games in rinks located from Long Beach to Hauppauge and Kings Park to Great Neck. We schedule games in rinks close to where the players on your team live. A list of rinks can be viewed by clicking here
What are game days and starting times?
We play over 40 games a week, on every night of the week. We work with teams to schedule games on days and times that are the most convenient for them. The choice of days are listed below:
- Mid week (Tues, Wed & Thu)
- Weekend(Fri, Sat & Sun)
- Weeknights (Sun - Thu)
- Sunday evening/nights
- Weekday mornings/afternoon
- Fall: Approximately late September to late December
12 games + playoffs* - Winter/Spring: Approximately early January to late May 15 games + playoffs* (double elimination after the Wild Card qualifying round)
- Summer: Late May to mid August 8 games + playoffs*
What about the different levels of competition? How is that determined? How do I know what level of play suits my team?
The five levels of play are:
- A. Highly competitive: Former college, Juniors, high level travel
- B. Competitive: Former college, travel, high school
- C. Intermediate: Former high school, over 40 ex-travel, house league
- D. Lower intermediate: Former E players moving up after a couple of seasons. Older C players.
- E. Novice, first time playing in a league. Former travel and college players are not permitted in this league unless they are over 45
Most teams have played in Midnight Hockey League, so there is a reference point for what level of play they fit into. Most new managers have a good feel for the level that is suited for them. Teams can always come to a game and judge which level they would be most comfortable in. We don't want teams winning them all or losing them all.
I don't have a team, can I join?
Individual and group registration is welcomed and encouraged. It can sometimes be difficult to get 14 or 15 players to commit and play every game in a season. We match partial teams, groups and individuals of the same approximate skill levels to form new teams. Often times those teams go on to play in subsequent seasons and the new teammates become lifelong friends.
Does Midnight Hockey League schedule games on Holiday weekends like Christmas week, Memorial Day, July 4th weekend, Super Bowl Sunday, or Labor Day weekend?
Unlike other leagues we never schedule games on major holiday weekends. We do however often organize tournaments were players who chose to play on Holiday weekends can. Contact us for more details
Are refs fees included in the league fee?
Yes, the ref fees are included in the league fees.
What is the playoff format?
Generally 80% of the teams make the playoffs. We use a single elimination format, (Winter/Spring is double elimination after the wild card round) this way, teams that are not having a good season don't pay for additional games for other teams. All teams pay the same and a longer playoff format short changes the vast majority of the teams. The longer playoff format also encourages some of the unscrupulous teams to bend the rules by sneaking 'ringers' onto their playoff roster.
Are team uniforms required?
Yes, every player must have a similar, matching jersey with a number that is not duplicated by a teammate. We encourage teams to obtain a set of home & away jerseys to facilitate ease of scorekeeping.
How do I sign a team up?
Full teams should call 631-262-0543 for more specific details before filling out the online registration form on this website.
What is Midnight Hockey League's game attendance policy?
All Players must have signed in for 50% of regular season games played in order to be eligible for playoff games. Signing in on the scoresheet is the only way we can accurately track player attendance at games. While we instruct our scorekeepers to help make sure that every player has signed in during a game, the final responsibility of signing in lies with the player, not the scorekeeper.
Remember: Even if you show up and play, if you didn't sign in, you will not be credited with being at the game.
The numbers in the player stat system (see description below) are not final and reflect only the scoresheets that have been entered into our database; as such, no player will be denied eligibility based on scoresheets that are not included. Example: If a player is listed as having attended 7 of 16 games, but only 15 of those 16 games have been entered into the player stat system, that player is automatically credited 1 game and is now eligible to participate in the playoffs.
The attendance credits will reduce in number as more scoresheets are entered, as such, captains must be aware that players could retroactively be deemed ineligible to participate in playoff games up until 24 hours prior to start of team's first playoff game.
During playoff games all players must present a valid government issued ID to the scorekeeper in order to be eligible to play.
Due to popular demand, as of the Summer 2012 season, all Midnight Hockey League games will have player statistics including goals, assists, attendance, penalty minutes, goalie goals against average and goalie save percentage recorded and published via at our Esportdesk sub-site (same as team standings, just click on your team's name to see total season stats, and look below for links to individual games).
Some things to know regarding player statistics:
- While we strive to be as close to 100% accurate as possible in recording and publishing player stats, it isn't always possible given the sheer amount of players, teams, and games involved. Please understand that there may be mistakes from time to time.
- All discrepancies and requests for corrections of in-game stats must be presented in writing via email. Inquiries via phone will not be honored.
- Along with player stats, the system we use also records player attendance (Column 'GP' = games played) and will be used as such to enforce Midnight Hockey League's 50% game attendance rule for all players (see 'Attendance Policy' above)
- We strive to be as timely as possible in the recording and publishing of stats from scoresheets, but due to sheer volume, there may be a lag of up to 3-4 days between when a game is played and when it's stats are recorded.
- Again, while we strive to be as accurate as possible, due to sheer volume, some scoresheets may be lost and unrecoverable after a game and it's stats will not be recorded or published. As stated above in our attendance policy, those scoresheets will not be counted toward game attendance and every player on the team will be credited a game for each missing scoresheet.
- Please know that you can help in making stats more accurate by wearing a unique jersey number amongst your team, as scores and assists are reported to scorekeepers by referees as such. Teams with no or duplicate jersey numbers are virtually guaranteed to have inaccurate stats being recorded and published (if at all). Midnight Hockey League offers a $50 discount per team on each season's league fee if they have worn matching jerseys with unique player numbers for the entirety of a season (credited at the end of each season). If you need help getting matching jerseys for a team please do not hesitate to call us at 631-262-0543 and we can either provide you with generic jerseys at for a very low cost, or put you in contact with a reputable manufacturer/screen printer who can make custom jerseys for you.
