Rules

2027 Destination Hockey Tournaments

Destination Hockey Tournaments are designed to provide a fun, competitive, and memorable hockey experience in premier destination locations throughout North America. Unless otherwise noted below, all games will follow current USA Hockey playing rules and regulations with some slight changes.

Destination Hockey Tournaments reserves the right to make rulings and interpretations regarding all tournament matters.

Rosters & Eligibility

• All teams must submit a completed Destination Hockey Tournament Roster/Waiver prior to their first game.
• Only players listed on the official tournament roster are eligible to participate.
• Any team using an ineligible or non-rostered player will forfeit all games in which that player participated.
• Rosters become official and locked at the start of a team's first game.
• No roster additions or player substitutions will be permitted after the first game begins.
• Teams must be able to provide proof of age for all players upon request (Birth Certificate, Passport, State ID, etc.).

Player Participation

Players may not participate on multiple teams within the same age division.

Example: A player may not play for both a 12U A and 12U B team.

Players may play up in an older age division.

Score Sheets

• Teams must complete the official scoresheet before each game.
• Please bring team roster stickers for all tournament games.
• A coach or team manager must verify the lineup prior to each game.
• Following each game, teams are encouraged to review and photograph their scoresheet.

Bench Personnel

• A maximum of four team officials are permitted on the bench during games.
• Parents and team managers are not permitted on the ice at any time, including championship celebrations.

2027-28 Age Classifications

Boys Divisions

8U – 2019 & 2020

9U – 2018

10U – 2017 & 2018

11U – 2016

12U – 2015 & 2016

13U – 2014

14U – 2013 & 2014

15U – 2012

16U – 2011 & 2012

18U – 2009 & 2010

Girls Divisions

12U – 2015 & 2016

14U – 2013 & 2014

16U – 2011 & 2012

19U – 2008, 2009 & 2010

Game Rules

Arrival & Warmups

• Teams should be prepared to play up to 15 minutes before their scheduled game time.
• Warmups may begin early depending on game flow.
• Teams not ready to take the ice following warmups may be assessed a Delay of Game penalty.
• Teams are responsible for monitoring the schedule and ensuring timely arrival.

Playing Rules

• Tag-up offsides will be used in all divisions.
• Teams playing shorthanded will not be penalized for icing the puck.
• Players and goaltenders in 12U and older divisions must wear a mouthguard in accordance with tournament requirements.
• Body checking is permitted in Boys 13U divisions and older where applicable under USA Hockey rules.
• Each team must provide one penalty box attendant during their games.
• Home teams wear light jerseys. Visiting teams wear dark jerseys.

Game Format

Warm-Up

• Three-minute warm-up prior to each game.
• Teams must provide their own warm-up pucks.

Regulation Period Lengths

8U–12U & Girls 12U: Three 12-minute stop-time periods.

13U–14U & Girls 14U: Three 13-minute stop-time periods.

15U–18U, Girls 16U & 19U, High School: Three 15-minute stop-time periods.

Mercy Rule Clock

• Running time will be used during the third period when a team leads by five or more goals.
• Stop time resumes if the lead is reduced to four goals.

Timeouts

• No timeouts during round-robin games.
• One timeout per team during playoff and championship games.

Penalties & Discipline

Minor Penalties

8U–12U: One-minute penalties

13U and Older: One minute and thirty-second penalties

Major Penalties

• Majors: 5 Mins & an automatic 1 game suspension
• Ten-minute misconducts result in automatic 1 game suspension
• Four penalties in one game results in ejection and suspension for the next game.
• Any player or coach receiving a Major Misconduct is suspended for the next game.
• Match Penalties result in tournament disqualification.
• Fighting will result in a minimum one-game suspension and may lead to removal from the tournament.
• Spitting will result in immediate tournament ejection.

All referee decisions are final. Video review will not be used to overturn penalties, goals, or on-ice rulings.

Tournament Format

Round Robin Scoring

Win = 2 Points

Tie = 1 Point

Loss = 0 Points

Goal Differential

Maximum goal differential recorded per game is plus/minus five.

Forfeits

Forfeited games will be recorded as a 3-0 result.

Tiebreakers

If teams finish tied in points following round-robin play, standings will be determined by:

1. Head-to-Head Result
2. Most Wins
3. Best Goal Differential
4. Fewest Goals Against
5. Most Goals Scored
6. Fewest Penalty Minutes
7. Coin Flip

For three-way ties, head-to-head applies only if all tied teams played each other.

Playoff & Championship Overtime

Overtime Format

• No intermission following regulation.
• Teams remain on the same side of the ice.
• Three-on-three sudden death overtime (Five-minute running clock -Final minute is stop time)
• Three-player shootout (Home team chooses shooting order)
• If tied after three shooters, sudden-death shootout continues until a winner is determined.

Championship Ceremony

Following championship games, Destination Hockey Tournament staff will present championship and finalist awards on the ice.

For safety and scheduling purposes:

• Parents and managers are not permitted on the ice.
• Teams will line up for photos prior to medal presentations.
• Players may briefly remove equipment for photos.

Tournament Conduct

Destination Hockey Tournaments maintains a strict Zero Tolerance Policy regarding abuse of officials, staff, volunteers, opponents, or facility personnel.

Players, coaches, or spectators may be removed from the facility and suspended from the tournament for violations of this policy.