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AHSHA Points of Emphasis (POE)
 
POINTS OF EMPHASIS (POE)
 
To Coaches, Managers, Players, and Parents:
 
The goal of Arizona High School Hockey Association (AHSHA) is to promote a safe and positive playing environment for all participants while continuing to focus on skill development and the opportunity to represent your high school, team and our association in a positive way through the sport of ice hockey.
 
In order to achieve this goal, AHSHA will strictly enforce and supplement these USA Hockey major infractions:
 

• Rule 601(c), (d), (e) & (f) Abuse of Officials and Other Misconduct 

• Rule 602 Attempt to Injure/Deliberate Injury of Opponents 

• Rule 603(b) & (c) Boarding

• Rule 604 Body Checking (Body Contact categories)

• Rule 606(a) & (b) Butt-Ending

• Rule 607(b) & (e) Charging

• Rule 608(b) & (c) Checking From Behind

• Rule 609(b) Cross-Checking

• Rule 611(b) Elbowing

• Rule 615 Fighting

• Rule 619(a) & (b) Head-Butting

• Rule 620(b) & (c) Head Contact

• Rule 621(b) High Stick

• Rule 622(b) Holding an Opponent

• Rule 623(b) Hooking

• Rule 627(a) & (b) Kicking

• Rule 628(b) Kneeing

• Rule 629 Leaving the Players’ Bench

• Rule 634(b),(c) & (d) Slashing

• Rule 635(a) & (b) Spearing

• Rule 639(b) & (c) Tripping/Clipping/Leg Checking

• Rule 640(d) Unnecessary Roughness (Roughing)

 
 
AHSHA will supplement such infractions by increasing the USA Hockey game suspensions, enforce suspension fines and place players on probation for patterns of abuse.
 
POE GAME SUSPENSIONS
 
1st Occurrence of POE Infraction: Two-Game Minimum: USAH Game Suspension and AHSHA POE Game Suspension, $25 Fine
 
2nd Occurrence of POE Infraction: Three-Game Minimum: USAH Game Suspension and AHSHA POE Two-Game Suspension, $50 Fine
 
3rd Occurrence of POE Infraction:  Removal from AHSHA
 
Reinstatement as a Result of an Appeal Hearing for a 3rd Infraction:  Four- Game Minimum Suspension, $200 Fine
 
 
(Note: multiple POE infractions that occur in the same game will be applied as separate occurrences)
 
PROBATION
 
Players and Coaches may be placed on probation; to commence one year from the date of the infraction(s) or reinstatement. Any player or coach who receives a POE infraction while on probation will be removed from AHSHA.

• Unsportsmanlike Conduct (601 Infractions): Any player or coach who receives a second game misconduct for a 601 infraction during the season may be placed on probation, that probation period may be imposed as deemed necessary and appropriate by the DC to commence from the date of the infraction(s) or reinstatement. For a third 601 infraction incurred during the season, the player/coach will be removed from AHSHA. Players/Coaches will serve a one game USA Hockey suspension for these infractions. AHSHA will follow USA Hockey rules for the 601(f)(1) Physical Assault on Game Officials, which requires a one-year suspension.

• Second POE Infraction: Any player that receives a second POE infraction during the current season will be placed on probation.  The probation period will be served one year, effective from the date of the infraction. This probation is automatically applied to all POE infractions other than 601 Unsportsmanlike Misconduct infractions as mentioned above. 

• Match Penalties: Any player/coach that receives a match penalty will be placed on probation from the date of the infraction.   Any player or team official receiving such a penalty shall be suspended from any further USA Hockey sanctioned games or practices until the AAHA Discipline Review Committee determines the appropriate penalty and disposition for the infraction. 

• Gross Misconduct: Any player/coach that receives a Gross Misconduct as defined in AHSHA policy will be placed on probation for one year from the date of the Gross Misconduct and will comply with any other disciplinary requirements based on the results of a Disciplinary Committee hearing which could include game suspensions up to removal from AHSHA for the first occurrence.

• Game Misconduct in the Final Game of the Season:  Any player or coach that receives a Game Misconduct in the final game of the season will be placed on probation for one year from the date of the infraction and serve any carryover game suspensions. Probation does not apply to a Game Misconduct for five penalties in a game or a coach’s suspension for 15 penalties in a game incurred in the final game of the season.  Carry over game suspensions will not be served in the following Spring Season.  The carryover USA Hockey game suspension(s) will be served in the first game(s) of the Fall Season starting with the preseason games and the AHSHA POE carry over game suspension(s) will be served in the first regular season game(s).

• Reinstatement: Any player or coach who is reinstated back into AHSHA as a result of a disciplinary hearing, will be placed on probation. The probation period will be one year from the date of the reinstatement to AHSHA. 

• When a match penalty suspension is handed out the player is not permitted to practice with their team.  

• When a player receives a game misconduct or AHSHA POE infraction, the player is only permitted to practice with their team during the suspension.  

• When a player receives a match penalty and at least one game misconduct, the match penalty suspension will be served first.  When that is completed, then the game misconducts and POE infraction will be served and at that time the player will be able to return to practice

GAME SUSPENSION FINES
 
In addition to any suspensions that may result from a Game Misconduct (GM), a 12-penalty Game Coaching suspension, a 4- penalty in a Game Player suspension and/or a Match Penalty, AHSHA will impose a monetary fine.

The 2022 – 2023 season fines are:
 

 
To return to the ice, the player/coach must submit a check/cashier’s check payable to AHSHA and give it to the Rink Coordinator (RC) prior to taking the ice for the first game back from their suspension.  Cash will not be accepted as payment for a fine.  Venmo is an acceptable form of payment. Instructions on how to pay are communicated in the notice of the suspension. Players/Coaches who do not pay their fine prior to the start of the game will not be allowed to participate in the game or return to the team until the fine is paid.
 
Players/coaches who choose not to pay their fine with a check/cashier’s check payable to AHSHA will remain on suspension until the fine is paid in full.  The player/coach will not be allowed near the player’s bench, locker room, or team activities before or after their team’s games until the fine is paid.
 
The RC will enter the fine as paid on the suspension list and forward the check to the AHSHA Treasurer.  The AHSHA Treasurer shall deposit the fine into the AHSHA General Scholarship fund to help pay for those players who desire to play hockey but have financial hardship.
 
Players/Coaches who receive a suspension in the last game of the season will need to pay their fine prior to the start of their next season of participation.
 
Once a player does not pay their fine after the last game of the season, the team will become responsible for the fine.  AHSHA will require teams to pay a player’s fine if the player does not return to AHSHA after their last game after having received a suspension.  The AHSHA Treasurer will charge the appropriate team account and transfer the proceeds to the AHSHA General Scholarship fund.
 
 Appeal and Disciplinary Committee Hearings
 
The Disciplinary Committee (DC) generally will not conduct hearings to consider mitigation of the first and second POE infractions.  These are considered standard suspensions necessary to support AHSHA’s zero tolerance for these infractions.
To appeal for reinstatement, a player/coach must submit a written request to the DC Chair requesting an appeal hearing and the reasons supporting the appeal request. The DC may schedule a hearing to address the Gross Misconduct demonstrated by players, team staff or spectators or to consider further supplemental discipline beyond the minimum game suspensions.
 
Players/Coaches may request a final appeal to the AHSHA Executive Committee or Board of Directors if dissatisfied with the DC Appeal Hearing results by submitting a written request to the AHSHA President and pay a $250 fee, who will determine if the appeal hearing will be conducted by the Executive Committee or the Board of Directors provided the written appeal request is received at least seven days prior to the monthly Board meeting.