MIHL RULES & REGULATIONS

League Information:

• League fee ($2750) must be paid by payment deadline.
• Most teams have between 8-12 players and a goalie (must have a goalie when registering), max is 16.
• The goalie list will be provided to captains and goalies for goalie subs.

Four divisions available:                               

• Premier - Highest level; The Premier Division has current and former professional players as well as former D1, D2 and D3 players.
• Gold - Small step down from Premier; The gold division mainly consists of D1, D2 and D3 players and some guys who played high-level High School.
• Silver - Silver is kind of like your catch-all league that has players that played some college, High School and some who never played organized hockey that started playing roller hockey. There's more of a gamut of age group differences in Silver compared to the other leagues. This division has the most discrepancy in ability between players.
• Bronze - Starter league for players who played hockey but stopped before high school or picked it up in adulthood.

Summer League Structure                           

• 16-game season (depending on number of teams this can vary) plus playoffs, and a separate in-season tournament (MIHL Cup).
• Standings for summer season are based on Most Points, Head-to-Head, Goal Differential, Least Goals Against, Most Goals For.
• 3 points for a win, 2 points for an OT win, 1 point for an OT loss or tie.
• Forfeit = 1 point reduction in standings points, a 0-10 Loss.
• Playoffs are seeded from top to bottom, and play out even if a team loses.
• If subs are needed, only 3 subs from other MIHL rosters are allowed, Free Agents/Goalie Subs do not count against the cap (no subs for playoffs).

MIHL Cup                               

• No sub players whosoever (just like summer season playoffs) except for goalies.
• Single elimination bracket tournament (lose and you're out of the tournament).

Fall League Structure                        

• 7-10 game season structured as an elongated tournament.
• Standings for fall season are based on Most Points, Goal Differential, Least Goals Against, Most Goals For.
• 3 points for a win, 2 points for an OT win, 1 point for an OT loss or tie.
• Bracket play must be decided, so a 4 on 4 5-minute overtime will take place, followed by a 3 player Olympic style shootout.
• Forfeit = 1 point reduction in standings points, a 0-10 Loss.
• Playoffs are bracketed out after pool play into different divisions.
• No real sub restrictions for fall league, though it is highly encouraged to stay true to your roster and division (utilize free agents and new players).

Gameplay                              

• 4 on 4.
• Two 23-minute periods – 3-5 min warm-up and 1 min between halves, long change first half.
• 3 mins OT during regular season 3 on 3 (can end in a tie).
• 5 min for MIHL Cup, playoffs and fall league bracket play, 4 on 4 – sudden death.  
• 3 player Olympic-style shootout if winner is not determined in OT for MIHL Cup, playoffs and fall bracket play.

Rules

• NHL rules with exception of: Offsides, Icing, Open Checking.
  • 5 face-off dots, two in the zone and center ice.
    • All players must come to a complete stop before the puck is dropped on faceoffs, this includes the center taking the draw.
• 3 penalty or 6 minutes max per game; 5-minute mini-misconduct and 10-minute misconducts do not count towards the 6 minutes.
• Automatic Ejection:                           
  • Any throwing of a punch or swing of a stick by a player outside of play will not be tolerated. If attempted, that player will be dismissed from competition with their team serving a 2-minute or 5-minute penalty. Multiple occurrences by a player during their career may result in their dismissal from the MIHL.                               
  • Any player under the influence of alcohol or drugs, participating in a MIHL game could be dismissed from competition at official or commissioner discretion. Multiple occurrences by a player during their career may result in their dismissal from the MIHL.                              
• Fines & Suspensions: A player's previous history within the MIHL will help determine the level of suspension. Multiple suspensions during a player’s career may result in dismissal from the MIHL. All fines must be paid in full before returning to competition.              
• Penalty Time                          
  • Service: Enforced 2-minute per call and served continuously with no less than two skaters on the rink.                                  
  • Penalty in Overtime: The first penalty while in a 3v3 overtime will result in a 3v2. An additional penalty will result in the non-offending team gaining a player to the floor resulting in a 4v2. As players’ penalty time expires, the play can/will go up to 4v4 until a stoppage.                                
  • Penalty Time - Killing: A penalty may be killed by defensively enduring a called penalty’s enforcement time.                             
  • Injury Stoppage: Officials are to immediately stop play for an injury that occurs during competitions.
    • Stopping the clock during these times will be up to the official’s discretion.
• Equipment Timeouts: Equipment malfunctions shall initiate a standard play stoppage reflecting the same clock rules as dictated by the officials. Penalties may be called for excessive or intentional equipment malfunctions.                              
• Timeouts: One (60 sec) per team, per game (clock stopped) with goalies having unlimited heat break timeouts (without taking advantage of it).    

Unique to MIHL                                 

• Mercy Rule: At any point in the 2nd half the goal differential reaches 10 goals, the losing team has a one-time opportunity to apply the mercy rule and end the game. If the mercy rule is not taken, the game is played into its entirety.                                 
• 3 Penalty or 6 minutes max per game: 5-minute mini-misconducts and 10-minute misconducts do not count towards that total.

Officials                                  

• Games shall be played with a 2-referee system.                               
• Mandatory: All officials are required to wear MIHL sponsored jersey and shorts.               
• Officials will set up player bench fans, scoresheets with written out game data and pens.
• Officials will track player penalties and will put penalties on scoreboard for each penalty.
• It is preferred that officials do not officiate in the same division they play in, if applicable.
• Officials will collect scoresheets and penalty sheets after the game and email photos to MinnesotaInlineHockey@gmail.com.
• At Highland arena, officials will put away fans and materials into the ref room after the last game.
• If a goal is scored, the official will give the goalies time to get a breather/water break and will check on them before resuming play at the center ice drop.                      

Stats

• Each team has the option to keep their own stats based on the provided team scoresheet.
• Stats include: Game Played, Goal, Assist, Point, PPG, SHG, PEN, Shots/Saves, 1st/2nd/3rd Star.
• Each team fills this out on their own during the game and submit to the officials after the game to go along with the game results sheet.
• All-star team/game will be based on stats and player star ratings which are selected by their own team which will also help with representation.
  • In the 2024 off-season, Premier and Gold voted to not have an All-Star game but it will still go on for the Silver and Bronze divisions.
    • All-Star teams will still be picked based on the star ratings for the Premier and Gold divisions.
• Website allows for current year stats and previous years stats for career numbers.           

All-Star Game                        

• Based on 3-star selections by own team during regular season games totaling the season total the week before the all-star game.
• 1st star = 5 points
• 2nd star = 3 points
• 3rd Star = 1 point
• PoW = 3 points
• Tiebreaker is points, followed by goals and assists. Discipline matters could prevent player from participating.
• Must be a rostered player to count for votes on that team's game (sub players stars do not count towards player).