South Shore Women’s Hockey League

Meeting Minutes

            Date: Monday, 28 July 2008 

Time 7:00PM

NESC – Marlboro Mass

 

I. Administration

   

  1. Attendance
    1. A Quorum was present (27 of 39 Teams attended the meeting)

 

  1. Contact List was updated and will be distributed via email NLT 01 AUG 08

 

  1. Old Business
    1. Treasury Report: On Track
    2. Forfeit Fees are outstanding from Team Connecticut, Stoneham, and the Sirens.  The amounts are available from the Treasurer and must be collected prior to the start of the 08-09 season.
    3. Research is underway to see if Team Connecticut can be reported to USA Hockey New England for payment of their forfeit fees
    4. All current SSWHL teams must provide their $300 deposit to Louise Cardinale NLT the 18 August 2008 meeting.
    5. All teams must provide The President with a list of all players who owe an existing balance to their 2006-07 team as soon as possible.  Players must pay their previous year’s balance prior to playing for another SSWHL team.

 

II. Elections  

 

  1. 2008-2009 Elections were Conducted
    1. Officers and Board of Directors elected to a two year term

                                                               i.      First Vice President  - Stephanie Spunt

                                                             ii.      Treasurer -  Louise Cardinale

                                                            iii.      Secretary -  Sean Sullivan

    1. Officers remaining in office in their second year of a two year term:

                                                               i.      President - Laura Bowser

                                                             ii.      Second Vice President – Jen Devlin

                                                            iii.      Scheduler – Cynara Wu

    1. Many thanks to Laura Lyons for her long service to the SSWHL as Vice President and member of the Disciplinary Committee. 

 

III. 2008-2009 Season

 

  1. Ice Situation
    1. NESC.  Negotiations for ice with NESC continue.  All SSWHL requirements were presented to NESC.  The SSWHL will continue to play games on Saturday and Sunday. Anticipate another 22 games per team season.  NESC will available for games starting on 07 SEP. 

 

    1. Canton.  The SSWHL will play games at Canton Ice Rink during hours similar to last year starting on 21SEP.

 

    1. Bedford. 2 hours of ice will be scheduled on Sunday Night at 8:10 and 9:20 starting on 7 SEP.

 

    1. ICE Scheduler.  After decades of service a SSWHL Ice Scheduler, Nic Cardinale retires from this position. His dedication and commitment to this extremely important task over the years is deeply appreciated.  The SSWHL is looking for a volunteer for the position of Ice Scheduler at Marlboro.  Please contact Laura Bowser if you are interested.  Laura assumes this duty in the interim.

 

    1. Expansion of the league.  Two new teams were proposed and voted into the D Division:

 

                                                               i.      NEWHL D (team name pending)

                                                             ii.      Rhode Island Panthers D2

 

    1. $200 buy-in for each new team was received.

 

 

  1. Referee Update
    1. Bill Paulsen presented the update. 

                                                               i.      Mass is no longer the USA Hockey Pilot Program for the Power Play - Icing Rule.  The SSWHL will return to the original Icing Rule where a team that is shorthanded can clear the puck the length of the ice without an Icing call.

                                                             ii.      In 09-10, Goalie equipment sizes will change to require smaller goalie equipment.  The SSWHL decided to notify all teams of the change next year but will not enforce the rule in 09-10.  This allows goaltenders to phase replace their equipment over a longer period of time.  However, USA Hockey may enforce these standards in State, Regional and National play. 

 

  1. Division Alignment
    1. The SSWHL decided not to add an Over 30 Division.

 

    1. Teams were informed of the USA Hockey – Over 30 Division National Championship.

 

    1. The Rule is provided and will be included in the 2008-2009 USA Hockey Annual Guide.

 

30 & Over (effective 2008-09 season): This category is for established teams. In the case of national tournament-bound teams, players may not be current or

past Olympic or National Team players. Current or former College Division

I, II or III players may play in this classification.  Restricted to legal U.S. residents. Players shall be 30 years of age and older.

 

Note: Girls/Women who participate must comply with the age requirement

 

  1. Schedule /  Rinks  /  Ice Time   

 

    1. Season start date:  (07SEP - SUNDAY)
    2. Season end date  (04APR – SAT  and 05APR - SUN)
    3. Christmas –The SSWHL WILL PLAY between Christmas and New Years
    4. Super Bowl is Sunday 01 Feb – NO GAMES SUPER BOWL SUNDAY  
    5. SSWHL Playing -  Potential Playing Weeks

                                                               i.      29 weeks prior to Nationals (27-28-29 March – Rochester NY)

                                                             ii.      31 weeks total in the SSWHL

    1. Cynara Wu explained the SSWHL Scheduling Request.  It is a weighted preference system that will assist her in creating excellent schedules for each team.  She emailed the Request forms to all teams last week.  Please use this form.
    2. Weekend off requests  (AUG Meeting Requirement)

                                                               i.      1 weekend off per half

                                                             ii.      A weekend off means possibility of fewer games

    1. Home Rink requests  (AUG Meeting Requirement)

 

IV. Initiatives for Discussion and Vote at the August Meeting

 

  1. Proposal:  Increase the game cancelation time from three hours to four hours in the SSWHL Rules:

 

“Weather Related Cancellations - If the rink is open, the game will be played.  If the rink is open and the teams can not travel to the game due to weather, the league will not charge the individual teams if the rink does not charge the league.  If a team is unable to play due to weather and driving conditions, the team must call Laura Bowser (Primary) or Nick Cardinale (Alternate) and also the team representative from the opposing team at least four hours prior to the start of the game.   

 

This Rule Proposal increases to four hours the notification requirement.

 

 

 

 

  1. Proposal:  Add Responsibilities of the Disciplinary Committee to the Rules

 

“Disciplinary Committee.  Each year during the pre-season meeting, the SSWHL will nominate, elect, or appoint at least five but no more than nine members of the Disciplinary Committee.  The Disciplinary Committee work for the League President and when directed by the President will review the number and type of penalties accumulated by a player or team and make recommendations to the President regarding disciplinary action against a player or team.  Disciplinary action includes suspension in addition to USA Hockey and SSWHL suspension penalties already stated in USA Hockey and SSWHL Rules. Disciplinary action also includes expulsion from the SSWHL.

 

The player and team will be notified of a Disciplinary Committee Hearing regarding the player or team and the reason or incident that is under investigation by the SSWHL.  The Hearing will be scheduled as soon as possible but not later than one month after notification.  The player or team is encouraged to attend the hearing however are not required to attend and may waiver their participation in the hearing. 

 

The Disciplinary Committee will convene with no fewer than 3 members.

 

The Director of Referees or his designated referee representative will attend and act as an advisor regarding hockey playing rules.  Referees may participate as witnesses to the incident if necessary. 

 

Players may present their explanation of the incident in person or in writing.  In the case of a player incident team representatives may participate only if allowed by the League President or the Disciplinary Committee.

 

For Team incidents the team can be represented by the Team’s Captain, Coach, or Program Director or any combination of the three.     

 

Following the hearing, the Disciplinary Committee will provide a record of the hearing and make a recommendation in writing to the League President.

 

The President implements punishment and contact the Team representative or coach to make notification.  The punishment is posted on the “Dog House” page of the SSWHL web.  This is to notify all teams, coaches, referees, and players of the action and assist in compliance.”

 

This Rule Proposal eliminates the following from the Rules

 

“***The Disciplinary Committee will review the number and type of penalties accumulated by a player and may, in the interest of sportsmanship and safety, take action necessary to eliminate sportsmanship and safety related issues.”

 

 

 

  1. Proposal:  Add Responsibilities of the Rules Committee to the Rules

 

“Rules Committee.  Each year during the pre-season meeting, the SSWHL will nominate, elect, or appoint at least three but no more than five members of the Rules Committee.  The Rules Committee work for the SSWHL Board of Directors and when directed by the Board will review aspects of the SSWHL rules that relate to safety, sportsmanship, competition, and administration. 

 

USA Hockey Playing Rules can not be disregarded.  However the Rules Committee may make recommendations that create SSWHL Rules that carry a greater penalty than USA Hockey Rules. 

 

The Rules Committee will draft Rules Proposals and submit the Proposal to the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors will review the proposal and either submit the Proposal as written for League Vote per SSWHL Rules paragraph 3. The Board of Directors can make modifications to the proposal and submit it to the League, send the proposal back to the Rules Committee for further study, or reject the proposal.

 

The Rules Committee will convene with no fewer than 3 members.

 

The Director of Referees will serve as an advisor regarding USA Hockey Playing Rules.  He can attend Rules Committee meetings and/or comment on the proposal and make recommendations.”

 

These paragraphs will be added to para 3.

 

V.  Final Comments / Wrap-up / Further Action

 

NEXT MEETING:   7 PM MONDAY 18 AUGUST 2008 at NESC

 

Action for the MONDAY 18 AUGUST Meeting:

 

  1. All teams provide their scheduling input to Cynara Wu
    1. Weekend Off Requests (1 weekend per half)
    2. All teams provide Home Rink Request
  2. $300 deposit for all teams for the 2008-2009 season
  3. Confirm the Division Alignments
  4. Confirm Members on the Disciplinary Committee
  5. Vote in Members of the Rules Committee
  6. List of players who owe programs money and need a monetary release to play

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008 - 2009  DIVISION ALIGNMENT (Proposed)

 

A Division (4)             B Division (10)           C-1 Division (9)

                       

Assabet A                    Lightning                       Nighthawks Red

Nighthawks A             Stoneham                      RI Panthers C

Needham                     Nighthawks B    Phantoms C    

NEWHL Stars             Quincy                          Ravens

                                    East Coast Wizards      Storm                         

Renegades                    Ice Sharks                              

                                    Cheetahs (B2)               Lady Monarchs                                  

                                    Sirens (B2)                    Randolph

                                    Bears (B2)                   Chaos

                                    Nighthawks Blue (B2)             

 

C-2 Division (6)                                              D Division (10)

 

Raptors                                                            Black Ice

Phantoms C2                                                    Phantoms D

Fury                                                                 Storm Chasers

Ice Devils                                                         RI Panthers D1

Cougars                                                           Raging Storm

NH Lady Panthers                                            NEWHL D (Team Name Pending)

                                                                        Bulldogs

                                                                        Ice Devils D

                                                                        Cougars D

                                                                        Panthers D2

 

 

a.  Board of Directors motion to move NH Lady Panthers to the C2 Division based on their +52 Goal differential and 18 – 1 – 1 2007-08 record. NH Lady Panthers will confirm their consent pending a team review at the next meeting.  C-2 teams play all other C-2 Division teams and crossover games with D Division teams.

 

b.      Voluntary Cross-Over Game nominations due at the next meeting,

a.       B Division Teams that play crossover games with A Division Teams

b.      B Division Teams that play crossover games with C Division Teams

c.       C Division teams that play crossover games with B Division Teams

d.      D Division Teams that play crossover games with C-2 Division Teams

 

 

South Shore Women’s Hockey League

Meeting Minutes

Monday 18 August 2008 

7:00PM

NESC Marlboro MA

 

I. Administration

 

  1. Attendance
    1. A quorum was present.  (27 Teams)  

 

  1. Old Business
    1. $300.00 Payments – Collected or due to Louise Cardinale. 
    2. Laura Bowser has the List of Players with Financial Obligations to team in the SSWHL.
    3. Confirmed Disciplinary Committee Membership
    4. Disciplinary Committee Rule passed by unanimous vote. It will be inserted into the SSWHL Rules for 2008-2009

 

“Disciplinary Committee.  Each year during the pre-season meeting, the SSWHL will nominate, elect, or appoint at least five but no more than nine members of the Disciplinary Committee.  The Disciplinary Committee work for the League President and when directed by the President will review the number and type of penalties accumulated by a player or team and make recommendations to the President regarding disciplinary action against a player or team.  Disciplinary action includes suspension in addition to USA Hockey and SSWHL suspension penalties already stated in USA Hockey and SSWHL Rules. Disciplinary action also includes expulsion from the SSWHL.

 

The player and team will be notified of a Disciplinary Committee Hearing regarding the player or team and the reason or incident that is under investigation by the SSWHL.  The Hearing will be scheduled as soon as possible but not later than one month after notification.  The player or team is encouraged to attend the hearing however are not required to attend and may waiver their participation in the hearing. 

 

The Disciplinary Committee will convene with no fewer than 3 members.

 

The Director of Referees or his designated referee representative will attend and act as an advisor regarding hockey playing rules.  Referees may participate as witnesses to the incident if necessary. 

 

Players may present their explanation of the incident in person or in writing.  In the case of a player incident team representatives may participate only if allowed by the League President or the Disciplinary Committee.

 

For Team incidents the team can be represented by the Team’s Captain, Coach, or Program Director or any combination of the three.     

 

Following the hearing, the Disciplinary Committee will provide a record of the hearing and make a recommendation in writing to the League President.

 

The President implements punishment and contact the Team representative or coach to make notification.  The punishment is posted on the “Dog House” page of the SSWHL web.  This is to notify all teams, coaches, referees, and players of the action and assist in compliance.”

 

This Rule Proposal eliminates the following from the Rules

 

“***The Disciplinary Committee will review the number and type of penalties accumulated by a player and may, in the interest of sportsmanship and safety, take action necessary to eliminate sportsmanship and safety related issues.”

 

                        f.  Vote on Rules Committee Rule.

 

  1. Proposal:  Add Responsibilities of the Rules Committee to the Rules

 

“Rules Committee.  Each year during the pre-season meeting, the SSWHL will nominate, elect, or appoint at least three but no more than five members of the Rules Committee.  The Rules Committee work for the SSWHL Board of Directors and when directed by the Board will review aspects of the SSWHL rules that relate to safety, sportsmanship, competition, and administration. 

 

USA Hockey Playing Rules can not be disregarded.  However the Rules Committee may make recommendations that create SSWHL Rules that carry a greater penalty than USA Hockey Rules. 

 

The Rules Committee will draft Rules Proposals and submit the Proposal to the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors will review the proposal and either submit the Proposal as written for League Vote per SSWHL Rules paragraph 3. The Board of Directors can make modifications to the proposal and submit it to the League, send the proposal back to the Rules Committee for further study, or reject the proposal.

 

The Rules Committee will convene with no fewer than 3 members.

 

The Director of Referees will serve as an advisor regarding USA Hockey Playing Rules.  He can attend Rules Committee meetings and/or comment on the proposal and make recommendations.”

 

These paragraphs will be added to para 3.

 

 

  1. Treasury Report.  Request teams to provide one check per team vice sending the SSWHL a pack of personal checks from individual players.  One team – One Check.

  

II. 2008-2009 Season

 

  1. Ice Availability and Ice Contracts were reviewed by Laura Bowser and Nick Cardinale.
  2. Schedule /  Rinks  /  Ice Time
    1. Teams submitted their scheduling preference forms to Cynara.

                                                               i.      The spread sheet was reviewed by teams in attendance.

                                                             ii.      Included on the form was Home Rink and Weekend Off requests.

    1. Season start date:  (07SEP - SUNDAY)
    2. Season end date  (04APR – SAT  and 05APR - SUN)
    3. Christmas –The SSWHL WILL PLAY between Christmas and New Years
    4. Super Bowl is Sunday 01 Feb – NO GAMES SUPER BOWL SUNDAY  
    5. SSWHL Playing -  Potential Playing Weeks

                                                               i.      29 weeks prior to Nationals (27-28-29 March – Rochester NY)

                                                             ii.      31 weeks total in the SSWHL

 

  1. Division Alignment
    1. Approved 2008-2009.

 

III.  Final Comments / Wrap-up / Further Action

 

  1. SSWHL Secretary will research and draft a letter of indebtedness for a claim against Team Connecticut for failure to pay the SSWHL for numerous forfeits from last season per SSWHL Rule 6 – Game Cancellation and Forfeit Policy.  The letter will be signed by the SSWHL President and sent to the Director and District Registrar of USA Hockey New England District with a copy sent to the USA Hockey Women’s Director.  

 

  1. The SSWHL will compile a voluntary Goaltender List and pass the list to all teams.  Team Representatives are requested to ask their goaltenders if they wish to participate.

 

  1. SSWHL commences play on Sunday, September 7th.

 

  1. Body Contact and illegal physical play were discussed at the meeting.  In addition to game penalties assessed to players who commit illegal physical play, the SSWHL President and Disciplinary Committee will review all games and players. The Disciplinary Committee will be used to recommend disciplinary actions against players to the League President for decision, assessment and compliance.      

 

               Next Meeting is in November 2008.

 

2008 - 2009  DIVISION ALIGNMENT

 

A Division (4)             B Division (10)           C-1 Division (9)

                       

Assabet A                    Lightning                       Nighthawks Red

Nighthawks A             Stoneham                      RI Panthers C

Needham                     Nighthawks B    Phantoms C    

NEWHL Stars             Quincy                          Ravens

                                    East Coast Wizards      Storm                         

Renegades                    Ice Sharks                              

                                    Cheetahs (B2)               Lady Monarchs                                  

                                    Sirens (B2)                    Randolph

                                    Bears (B2)                   Chaos

                                    Nighthawks Blue (B2)             

 

C-2 Division (6)                                              D Division (9)

 

Raptors                                                            Black Ice

Shamrocks                                                       Trinity

Fury                                                                 Storm Chasers

Ice Devils                                                         RI Panthers Blue

Cougars                                                           Raging Storm

NH Lady Panthers                                            NEWHL Outlaws

                                                                        Bulldogs

                                                                        Cougars D

                                                                        Panthers Red