Tournament Rules

Tournament Rules

These rules apply to all Ballhockey.com Events and Tournaments.

They are designed to ensure competitive fairness, operational efficiency, and integrity across all divisions. By registering and participating in any Ballhockey.com event, teams and players agree to abide by the rules outlined below.

1) Roster Rules & Player Eligibility

1.1 Ballhockey.com Event Player Database Compliance

All rosters must comply with the Ballhockey.com Event Player Database and all applicable rating and division restrictions.

  • If a roster is found to be in violation at any point during the tournament, any game(s) impacted will result in a forfeit for the offending team.
  • Ballhockey.com reserves the right to review and verify player eligibility at any time.

1.2 Roster Maximums

Each tournament has an allocated maximum roster size.

  • The roster maximum must not be exceeded at any moment during the tournament.

1.3 Roster Changes & Replacements

Roster replacements are restricted to protect competitive integrity:

  • A player may not be replaced once they have played a round-robin game, regardless of reason (injury, personal circumstances, travel issues, etc.).
  • If a player has not participated in a round-robin game, they may be replaced, provided:
    • The replacement player is eligible under tournament rules.
    • The team remains within the allocated roster maximum.

1.4 Eligibility for Elimination Games

To participate in elimination/playoff games, a player must have played:

  • One (1) round-robin game in the tournament.

2) Forfeits

Ballhockey.com operates on tight schedules and structured formats. Forfeits impact multiple teams and divisions and are treated seriously.

  • If a team forfeits any tournament game, they will:
    • Be recorded as a forfeit loss, and
    • Be removed from the tournament entirely.
  • Forfeiting may also result in disciplinary review and potential restrictions on future participation in Ballhockey.com events.

3) Scheduling & Tournament Operations

3.1 Finalized Schedule

All published schedules are final.

By registering for a Ballhockey.com event, teams acknowledge and accept that game times may vary across the tournament weekend. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Early Friday evening games
  • Late Friday night games
  • Early Saturday morning games
  • Late Saturday evening games
  • Sunday morning or championship rounds

Teams are responsible for planning travel, accommodations, and roster availability accordingly. Schedule adjustments will not be made to accommodate individual team preferences once released.

3.2 Guaranteed Games

Each tournament will advertise a guaranteed number of games. This number refers strictly to the guaranteed minimum (typically round-robin play).

  • The guaranteed games are the only games a team is assured of playing.
  • Additional games (playoffs, semifinals, finals, consolation rounds, etc.) are dependent on tournament format and team performance.

3.3 Playoff Qualification

Not all teams will qualify for playoff rounds.

Depending on the division size and format, playoffs may include:

  • Top 4 teams
  • Top 8 teams
  • Or another specified cutoff determined prior to the event

Teams are expected to understand that playoff games are not guaranteed and are earned through round-robin performance.

Tournament standings and tie-breaking procedures will determine qualification.

4) Refund Policy

Tournament operations require advance scheduling, staffing, facility bookings, and administrative commitments. As such, the following refund policy applies to all Ballhockey.com Events and Tournaments.

4.1 Tournament Payments

Once a team has:

  • Completed payment for the tournament, and
  • Participated in at least one (1) scheduled game

No refunds will be issued under any circumstances.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Team withdrawal
  • Injury
  • Travel complications
  • Roster shortages
  • Disqualification
  • Removal due to rule violations
  • Voluntary departure from the event

4.2 Deposits

All tournament deposits are non-refundable.

Deposits secure a team’s placement in the tournament and are used to support upfront operational costs, including scheduling, facility reservations, staffing commitments, and event preparation.

Limited exceptions may be considered only in rare and extraordinary circumstances at the sole discretion of Ballhockey.com management. Approval of any exception is not guaranteed and does not establish precedent for future events.

4.3 Event Cancellation

In the event Ballhockey.com cancels a tournament prior to the start of play, teams will be notified of available credit or refund options.

5) Force Majeure

Ballhockey.com shall not be held liable for any delay, modification, suspension, or cancellation of games or tournaments resulting from circumstances beyond its reasonable control.

These circumstances may include, but are not limited to:

  • Severe weather or natural disasters
  • Facility damage or unexpected closures
  • Power outages
  • Public health emergencies
  • Government regulations or restrictions
  • Travel disruptions
  • Acts of God
  • Labour disputes
  • Civil disturbances
  • Any other unforeseen event impacting tournament operations

In such circumstances, Ballhockey.com reserves the right to:

  • Modify the tournament format
  • Shorten games
  • Adjust schedules
  • Reduce guaranteed games if necessary
  • Cancel remaining games or the entire event

If a tournament is interrupted after play has begun, refunds are not guaranteed. Any potential credit or partial refund will be determined at the sole discretion of Ballhockey.com based on operational costs already incurred.

Ballhockey.com’s decisions in such circumstances are final.

6) Player Check-In & ID Verification

To ensure roster compliance and protect competitive integrity, all players must complete the official check-in process prior to participating in tournament play.

6.1 Waiver Requirements

  • Official team waiver sheets will be provided by Ballhockey.com.
  • All participating players must personally sign the waiver form prior to playing.
  • No player may participate in any game without a completed waiver on file.

6.2 Identification Verification

All players are required to present valid government-issued photo identification upon request.

  • The identification must match the name listed on the official roster submitted by the Team Representative.
  • Rostered names must match the Ballhockey.com Event Player Database.
  • Ballhockey.com staff may conduct ID checks at any time during the tournament.

Failure to provide valid identification that matches the submitted roster may result in:

  • Immediate ineligibility of the player
  • Forfeit of affected games
  • Further review or disciplinary action

These procedures are in place to ensure that all roster eligibility rules are upheld and that divisions remain fair and properly balanced.

Ballhockey.com reserves the right to verify player identity and eligibility at its sole discretion.

7) Media & Photography Release

By participating in any Ballhockey.com Event or Tournament, all players, coaches, team personnel, and attendees grant Ballhockey.com the unrestricted right to capture, use, reproduce, and distribute:

  • Photographs
  • Video recordings
  • Live streams
  • Audio recordings

These materials may be used for marketing, promotional, archival, and commercial purposes, including but not limited to:

  • Social media platforms
  • Website content
  • Digital advertising
  • Event recaps
  • Broadcast materials
  • Future promotional campaigns

Participation in the event constitutes consent to such use.

No compensation, royalties, or additional approval shall be required or owed for the use of such media.

8) Tie-Breaker Procedure

Tie-breaking procedures for each tournament division will follow the format published:

  • On the specific event webpage, or
  • On the event’s official standings page on Ballhockey.com

The tie-breaking hierarchy applicable to that event will be clearly outlined prior to or during the tournament.

Teams are responsible for reviewing and understanding the posted tie-breaking format. Ballhockey.com will apply the published criteria consistently and objectively when determining standings and playoff qualification.

All tie-breaking determinations made by Ballhockey.com are final.

9) Code of Conduct

Ballhockey.com is committed to providing a competitive, respectful, and inclusive environment at all events and tournaments.

All players, coaches, team personnel, spectators, and participants are expected to:

  • Respect officials and their decisions
  • Respect Ballhockey.com staff and volunteers
  • Respect opponents and teammates
  • Conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike and professional manner

Ballhockey.com maintains zero tolerance for:

  • Harassment of any kind
  • Discriminatory language or actions
  • Abusive behavior toward officials, staff, players, or spectators
  • Threatening or aggressive conduct

Ballhockey.com reserves the right to remove any individual or team from a tournament, without refund, if management determines that behavior violates this Code of Conduct.

Disciplinary decisions made by Ballhockey.com are final and may impact future participation eligibility.

10) Equipment Requirements

All Ballhockey.com Events and Tournaments follow the equipment requirements outlined in the official Ballhockey.com Official Rule Book.

Required equipment includes, but is not limited to:

  • Approved helmet
  • Shin pads
  • Gloves
  • Appropriate footwear
  • Goaltender equipment (if applicable to position)

Participants are responsible for ensuring their equipment complies with Ballhockey.com standards prior to game play.

Failure to wear required equipment may result in:

  • Removal from play until compliant
  • Game misconduct penalties, if applicable
  • Ineligibility to participate

Ballhockey.com reserves the right to inspect equipment at any time to ensure compliance and player safety.