Player Expectations

Players Code of Conduct

  1. The game of hockey should be fun. If it is not fun and you do not love the game, then you should not play.
  2. If you want opponents to respect you, then you must respect them.
  3. Team effort is more important than individual stardom. The team is more successful when everyone works to achieve a common success.
  4. Officials make decisions. Respect the decisions made and refrain from verbal criticism or gestures that imply the same.
  5. Attendance at all practices, games, and off-ice training and conditioning sessions is expected. Injured Players should be at events to support their Teammates.
  6. Coach will outline expectations of you before the start of the season. Failure to meet these rules/expectations may result in consequences being imposed.
  7. Remember, most people assisting you are VOLUNTEERS. Learn to appreciate they spent helping you.
  8. You are expected to conduct yourself in a respectable manner. Destructive or delinquent behavior during or after a game or practice will not be tolerated.
  9. No attempt should ever be made to deliberately injure another player.
  10. Any player removed from the bench by either a coach or official shall not leave the rink until authorized by the coach.

Player Disciplinary Code

  1. Positive attitudes from all players, sportsmanship, respect for yourself and others, respect for organization and skill development of yourself is your responsibility. You must be able to react to success as well as failure and the hockey program must not interfere with your academics. A list of team rules follows that will help you achieve our collective team goals as well as a list of consequences for breaking the rules.
  2. Player/Team Rules are below:
    1. No profanity or derogatory remarks towards players, coaches, parents, spectators or officials.
    2. Pay attention to coaches and react quickly to instructions without complaint.
    3. No "cheap shots" or deliberately trying to injure another player on or off the ice.
    4. Respect your equipment, the equipment of others and the facility you are playing in.
    5. Inform your coach as soon as possible if you cannot make a practice or game.
    6. Fighting will not be tolerated.
    7. There will be no drinking, smoking, chewing of tobacco, or use of illegal substances at any team function.
  3.  Players who cannot abide by these rules or who violate them will be subject to further disciplinary action. Rule violations will result in the following consequences per skater per season:
    1. First Offense – One game suspension.
    2. Second Offense – Parent meeting, and two game suspensions.
    3. Third Offense – Parent meeting, three game suspensions, and possible removal from team.
    4. Serious Offenses – Parent meeting, multiple game suspension, and possible removal from team.
  4.  Consequences for violating the rules will be compounding. Violation of the rules will be the responsibility of the coach to enforce. Each coach may include additional player/team rules, which will be shared with all players and parents at the beginning of the season. It is expected that players and parents will support and encourage compliance to the rules.

Parent Expectations

Parents and Spectators Code of Conduct

  1. All St. Mary's Hockey Parents parents are expected to review the Player Code of Conduct and the Disciplinary Code prior to their skater taking the ice.
  2. A player's conduct is set by his or her parent(s)’ example(s); if a parent uses "profane and abusive" language, so will his or her child. If a parent is supportive and understanding of others, the child will be as well. A child's positive participation is important to teammates. Parents should stress the importance of a group/team effort.
  3. Coaches have a job to do and are volunteering their time to teach children teamwork and the game of hockey. Coaches need positive support from parents. Remember, the coach is the authority to whom players look for direction. Do not confuse the player by attempting to countermand any of the coach's instructions.
  4. Parents should appreciate the officials and understand their role. A child will learn from a parent’s attitude, so it is important to have a good one!
  5. Profanity, personal criticism and abusive language or conduct have no place on or off the ice. Misunderstanding and differences of opinion occur.

Rule violations will result in the following consequences per parent per season:

  1. First Offense—Written warning. One game suspension.
  2. Second Offense—One game suspension. Meeting with the Athletic Director and Head Coach
  3. Removal from the privilege of attending all games.
  4. Serious Offense – Parent meeting, multiple game suspension, and possible removal from team.
  5. Consequences for violating the rules will be compounding. Violation of the rules will be the responsibility of the coach to enforce. Each coach may include additional player/team rules, which will be shared with all players and parents at the beginning of the season. It is expected that players and parents will support and  encourage compliance to the rules.

Coach Expectations

Coaches Code of Conduct

  1. To enforce the Players Code of Conduct
  2. To teach character, values and sportsmanship to all players.
  3. To not intimidate, ridicule, verbally abuse or physically abuse any player.
  4. To teach and demonstrate respect for teammates, opposing players, coaches and officials.
  5. To coach playing by the rules.
  6. To set a good example and be a positive role mode.
  7. To never instruct a player to deliberately injure another player.
  8. Whenever a problem arises with a player, speak to the player with another coach or parent present.
  9. Profanity, personal criticism and abusive language or conduct have no place on or off the ice. Misunderstanding and differences of opinion occur. The game of hockey is not without close calls or mistaken calls. The solution is not “unbecoming” conduct. Remember that you set the tone of for your player's success. If you want your players to be fair and understanding, you must be, as well.