Zero Tolerance Policy

The Mohawks Hockey Club (MHC) is governed by the policies, rules and regulations of CSDHL, CUHL, NWHL, and USA Hockey. We expect our players, coaches, parents and other Mohawks spectators to follow the words and the spirit of the ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY ("ZTP") of USA hockey and the MHC policy relating to violation of the ZTP in the summary. 

The MHC Rules & Ethics Committee will investigate and take appropriate action on any ZTP issue brought to our attention, whether or not a penalty or suspension is imposed for the conduct in question.  

If you witness an incident that you believe may violate the ZTP, contact us at rulesandethics@mohawkshockey.org with the following information: date/time of incident, location, teams involved, Mohawks coach's name (if known), names of people involved, description of incident and your contact information. Your contact information will not be shared, but is necessary for any follow-up questions.  

Thank you for your support and for encouraging integrity, character and sportsmanship for all of our players, coaches and families.  

USA HOCKEY ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY

USA Hockey is committed to creating a safe and fair environment for all participants. Respect for the game, the opponents, coaches and officials is a critical part of the environment that is created. This Zero Tolerance Policy summarizes required actions to be taken when violations occur.

All players, coaches, officials, team officials and administrators and parents/spectators are required to maintain a sportsmanlike and educational atmosphere before, during and after all USA Hockey sanctioned games. Thus, the following points of emphasis must be implemented by all USA Hockey participants and spectators.

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 any 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.  

NOTE: Under USA Hockey rules, a player receiving a game misconduct penalty shall automatically serve a minimum one-game suspension to be served at the team's next game. A player receiving a game misconduct penalty as a result of a "second major in a game" shall serve a minimum two-game suspension. (Other USA Hockey penalty rules may also apply - see Rules 401-410 and Rule 601 in USA Hockey Rules and Regulations). Any player who receives a second major penalty for fighting with the same team during the same season shall receive a three-game suspension. For a third fighting major with the same team in the same season, the play shall be suspended until a hearing is conducted by the proper authorities under Rule 410 Supplementary Discipline.  

MHC Policy:  A Mohawks player receiving a game misconduct penalty in any game will serve a one-game suspension to be served at the team's next game after the game in which the misconduct penalty occurred. The Rules & Ethics Committee may, at its discretion, recommend further remedial action after a player's first game misconduct penalty and one game suspension.  

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 any time.  

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. Note: Under USA Hockey rules, a coach receiving a game misconduct penalty shall automatically serve a minimum one-game suspension to be served at the team's next game. Other UA Hockey penalty rules may also apply.  

MHC Policy: A Mohawks coach receiving a game misconduct penalty in any game will automatically serve a one-game suspension to be served at the team's next game after the game in which the misconduct penalty occurred. During the entire suspension period, the coach will not be permitted to participate in the game in any capacity, including pre- and post- game locker room activities. The Rules & Ethics Committee may, at its discretion, recommend further remedial action after a coach's first game misconduct penalty and one game suspension.  

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 strictly prohibited. On-ice officials are ambassadors of the game and must always conduct themselves with this responsibility in mind.

PARENTS/SPECTATORS

A game will be stopped by on-ice officials when the parents/spectators displaying inappropriate or disruptive behavior interfere with other parents/spectators displaying inappropraite or disruptive behavior interfere with other parents/spectators or the game. The on ice officials will identify violators to the coahces for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the parents'/spectators' viewing and game area. Once removed. play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced. Violators will incur a minimum mandatory 5-game suspension from that team's games and may be subject to further disciplinary action by the local governing body.  

MHC Policy: Any Mohawks spectator (including parents, family members and friends) removed from the playing arena by the official will automatically receive a minimum mandatory 5-game suspension from that team's games. The spectator will not be permitted to enter the playing arena during the five games being served as a suspension. In accordance with Zero Tolerance guidelines, the Mohawks will abide by and enforce 5 game minimum suspensions for any spectators who are removed from the ice viewing area by an On-Ice Official. Suspensions WILL NOT be eligible for an appeal with the MHC. It will then be determined by the MHC Rules & Ethics Committee whether any further discipline is necessary. In addition, the Rules & Ethics Committee will investigate and take action on matters involving inappropriate spectator behavior that does not result in a suspension, but may violate the spirit of the ZTP or otherwise reflect negatively on the Mohawks organization.  

Please reference the Mohawks Player and Spectator Code of Conduct Policy.  The policy highlights the "24-hour Rule" in which a parent should not approach a coach, manager or official to discuss an incident or situation that occurred during a game that provoked an adverse emotional response or potentially hostile situation until at least 24 hours for a "cool off" period. 

Please reference the Mohawks Locker Room Policy. Parents should treat locker rooms as private places for players and coaches. Unless necessary to dress younger players or attend to an injured child, a parent should not enter a locker room unless invited to do so by a coach who is present with the parent at all times. Each coach will communicate her/her own locker room pre-post- game/practice schedule with the players and parents. A parent should never enter the ice, player benches, penalty box or scoring box at any time before, during or after a game without express permission of the home team manager, a coach or an on-ice official.