Game Format

  • All Ice Hockey Leagues are single-opponent; teams will play one game per week.
  • All Ice Hockey Leagues use licensed referees.
  • All Ice Hockey Leagues use a weekly time slot of 1.00 hour.
  • The total ice time consists of:
    • 3 minute warm-up
    • 1st period and 2nd period - 15 minutes
    • 3rd period - 20 minute
  • Regular Season: Ties are allowed
  • Playoffs: Ties are not allowed
    • If the game is tied with 5 minutes remaining in the third period, the game will proceed directly to a 3-player shoot-out.

Season Length

  • All 9 Week Ice Hockey Leagues use the following structure:
    • 7 weeks of regular season games.
    • 2 weeks of playoff games.
  • There may be instances where byes are scheduled due to facility availability, meaning the season may be played over 9-12 total weeks. 
  • In rare cases, games may be played on Long Weekends or Holidays.

Playoffs

  • Playoff Format:
    • All teams are guaranteed 2 playoff matches.
    • Only the Top 4 teams will compete for the League Championship.
    • League champs will receive t-shirts that can be picked up from the Season-end Party.
    • There are no ties in playoffs. 
      • Due to the possibility of a tie, halves are shortened to allow for a 5 minute shoot-out.
        • Shoot-out format is 3 players per side.
        • Please see the rule book or consult the referee for further shoot-out requirements.

Rosters

 Format Ideal Roster Size Total # of Players
Required on the Ice		 Min # of F
Required on the Ice		 Max # of M/X
Allowed on the Ice
5 on 5 12-16 6 (5 + Goalie) n/a 6
  • When registering a full team, there is no limit to the maximum number of players you can have on the roster.
  • Prior to the first game of the season, teams must have the total number of players required on the ice (in the above chart) confirmed on the roster in MyESSC.
    • If the minimum amount of confirmed roster players is not met, the team will receive a loss for every game played until the requirement is met.
    • Minimum female requirements are inclusive of anyone who identifies as female (i.e. players who identify as M or X do not count towards F minimums).
  • Prior to the first playoff game, teams must have all players who are playing in the playoff game(s) displayed as part of the confirmed roster in MyESSC.
    • If this requirement is not met, teams will receive an automatic loss and will not be eligible for the championship.
  • A team may bring in subs that are not listed on the roster. To learn more about the sub policies, click here.