Player Code of Conduct

LEPHC’s Player Code of Conduct

This policy is adapted from the USA Hockey Zero Tolerance Player’s Code of Conduct

1. Play for fun.
2. Work hard to improve your skills.
3. Learn teamwork, sportsmanship, and discipline. Players will take pride in their team and contribute to the team’s unity. Players will adhere strictly to the coach’s rules and be supportive of the coach’s practice plans, game plans, and other decisions.
4. Be a team player – get along with your teammates. Do not criticize other teammates or their play. Hockey is a team sport; as such the interests of the team take precedence over the individual.
5. Be on time. Notify the coach or manager in advance when you must miss. A reason such as religion class, school activity, illness, etc. must be given. Be at the rink by the appointed time set by the coaches.
6. Never argue with an official’s decision. Learn the rules and play by them. The only individuals who may speak to officials are the coaches and/or designated players under the instruction of their coaches. There is zero tolerance for abusive behavior. Harassment, obscene language, gestures, and other behavior deemed to be abusive directed toward referees will be subject to sanctions. Coaches have the authority to escalate any situation to the appropriate level depending on the severity of the incident.
7. Wear the proper protective equipment. Proper protective equipment includes a mouth guard and unaltered helmet. A neck guard is highly recommended. You are responsible for your own equipment.
8. Do not attempt to deliberately injure another player(s). Any player incurring a MATCH penalty for “attempt to injure” or other offense deemed equally serious by the coach shall be subject to suspension beyond the USA HOCKEY rules as deemed appropriate by the LEPHC Board. Fighting; wrestling; or throwing a punch in a game, practice, or locker room qualifies under this code.
9. All players are expected to conduct themselves in a respectable manner. Destructive or delinquent behavior in the locker room and/or before, during, or after a game, or practice, will not be tolerated. Conduct should be respectable when with the team at any other public facility including restaurants, hotels, etc. Players should be attentive when coaches explain practices drills, game strategies, and other information or instructions.
10. Use of cellphones and other mobile devices are prohibited in the locker room. These include devices with recording capabilities, including voice recording, still cameras, and video cameras. This is a violation of the USA Hockey SafeSport Policy and may be subject to penalties listed under Player Behavior Specifics below. If they must be used, they should be taken outside the locker room.
11. Player Behavior Specifics. There will be ZERO tolerance of abusive behavior, either physical or verbal. Harassment, obscene language or gestures, inappropriate physical contact, and other behavior deemed to be abusive toward coaches, referees, officials, opponents, teammates, spectators, or association officials will not be tolerated Depending on facts and circumstances, consequences may include verbal warnings, loss of playing time, suspension, and/or removal from the team and/or association.

Recommended guidelines for offenses are as follows, but may be modified at the coaches’/LEPHC board’s discretion:

• First Offense: The player will be verbally warned by the coach with the parent present and, if possible, the SafeSport coordinator or an LEPHC board member will document the action. If the behavior occurs in a practice, they will be asked to sit out for a minimum of 15 minutes.  If the behavior occurs during a game, the player will sit out 1 full period. If the behavior occurs off ice, the coach will determine if the consequence should occur during a game or practice.
• Second Offense: The player will be removed from the remainder of the game, practice, or other team event and will be warned in writing as soon as possible. If the behavior is off ice, player will miss the next the game, practice, or other team event and will be warned in writing as soon as possible.
• Third Offense: The player will be removed from the team pending a meeting with the LEPHC Board of Directors. Depending on the facts and circumstances, consequences can range from a suspension from all LEPHC events (including team events, practices, games, and tournaments) to removal from the team for the remainder of the season and/or expulsion from LEPHC/EYHA.
• On and Off Ice Conduct Fighting - We do not tolerate fights on or off the ice. Any player who receives a game misconduct for fighting will automatically be suspended for one game by USA Hockey, and a second game by LEPHC. A fighting penalty means a two game suspension, no exceptions.  If a player receives a second game misconduct for fighting in the same season, they will be suspended for a minimum of another two games and until a LEPHC Board of Directors hearing can be held. A third game misconduct will result in a player suspension for the remainder of the season. There will be no deviations from this policy and no consideration of the circumstances of the fighting penalty. The message to our players is very simple – do not fight on the ice, off the ice or in the locker-room. 
• Unsportsmanlike Behavior - Any player who receives three or more unsportsmanlike penalties during a season for talking back to the referees or the opposing coaches, bad language, etc. will receive a minimum of a one game suspension. LEPHC will conduct a very quick investigation into the circumstances by asking coaches, referees and parents in attendance for their version of the situation. LEPHC reserves the right to suspend players for additional games if the situation warrants such action and if additional unsportsmanlike conduct penalties occur. Please refer to the USAH Zero Tolerance Policy for further information. 
• Accumulation of Penalties – Excessive number of penalties hurt both the team and individual players and the reputation of our Club. It is difficult for a team to win if they take too many penalties and it robs teammates of ice time if certain individuals are repeatedly in the penalty box. As such, any player who receives 25 penalties over the course of the season will be referred to LEPHC Board of Directors and SafeSport coordinator for a mandatory review. LEPHC Board of Directors and SafeSport coordinator will consult with the coaches, the player, and team parents to determine whether this is a significant issue that warrants suspension. In addition, USA Hockey has issued very clear policies regarding Major Penalties for both players and Coaches. As USA Hockey rules very clearly stipulate, any player who accumulates three (3) major penalties during the season will receive an automatic three (3) game suspension with progressively steeper suspensions if a player incurs additional major penalties. The LEPHC will follow through on such suspensions without exception.

Coaches may refer any incident of player misconduct to the LEPHC Board of Directors for further review.

I agree to treat my fellow teammates, coaches, LEPHC representatives, referees, and other association members with respect in my participation on a LEPHC team by following this Code of Conduct.