The game timeframes stated are for reference, based on the estimated number of teams and allocated ice times and are subject to change.

Available Tournament Levels

Level 2-3 – This level is geared to those who have only played the game as adults and have not mastered all of the fundamentals. To qualify, players should have experience playing at the novice level in StinkySocks Hockey Standard Format Games, but not above, to play at this level in our tournaments.

Level 3-4 – This level is a good fit for those who started playing as adults or picked the game up again as an adult. High school playing experience or above is specifically a disqualifier at this level.

Level 5-6 – This level is a good fit for those who have high school playing experience or the equivalent. Junior or college club experience or above is specifically a disqualifier at this level.

Level 6-7 – This level is a good fit for younger players who have high school playing experience and those with college club experience. Teams who play together often and all have high school level experience, or the equivalent, are also a good fit for this level rather than level 3. Collegiate D3 and above experience is specifically a disqualifier at this level.

Level 7-9 – This level is a good fit for younger players who have college club experience, as well as those with junior and D3 collegiate experience. Collegiate D1 experience or above is specifically a disqualifier at this level.

Level Policy

Appropriate leveling is just one way that StinkySocks Hockey tournaments differs from others. We ask that captains keep things fair by entering their team into the division that is most appropriate for them. It is the captain’s responsibility to ensure compliance with the divisional policy for their own team.  If captains have any questions about levels or player eligibility, they are encouraged to call the league office to discuss before submitting their roster.

We ask that captains also participate in the level process, which has been developed as a system of checks and balances to ensure fair leveling within our divisions. A captain at any point before the third round of the tournament may ask for an administrative decision of the level eligibility of a player from an opposing team. The tournament administrative staff will gather data from their prior observations and issue a final decision as to whether the player in question is eligible for the division in which their team is competing. If a player is disqualified during this process, they cannot be replaced by another player. All goals scored by or assisted by that player in games played will be removed.

What’s Included

• Minimum of (3) games per team, with the possibility of an additional game in the finals.
• Team pricing includes 14 rostered players (inclusive of goalies), with the option to have up to 17 at an additional cost.
• StinkySocks Hockey gift for every player.
• Entry into a drawing for a team captain prize of a Mando Hockey superlight stick when you choose to have the final payment automatically charged 3 weeks prior to the tournament.

SSH Tournament Extras

• Ability to check the schedule and live standings.
• Music played in between whistles
• Complimentary refreshments – unlimited bottled water
• Professional StinkySocks Hockey staff onsite throughout tournament
• Photo coverage provided by Bruins Daily
• True leveling! Our system of checks and balances that all captains participate in helps ensure that all players individually qualify for the level at which the team is entered. Even leveling and no ringers, just as you’ve come to expect from StinkySocks Hockey.
• No jerks! We maintain a tight player conduct policy to give you the enjoyable experience that you’re looking for.

The actual number of teams per division will be determined by demand. Divisions are established based on the levels offered for the tournament. Each team in this tournament is guaranteed at least 3 games, with the possibility of playing in the final game.

Format

All StinkySocks Hockey tournaments are a round robin format for divisions of four teams. Teams in a division with more than 4 teams will have their schedule drafted to play 3 randomly assigned teams.

Finals Determination

Divisions with 6 or fewer teams will have the top 2 teams go to the final game.  Levels with 8 or more teams will have the top 4 teams go to Olympic-style final games, with the top 2 teams playing for gold/silver and the 3rd and 4th placing teams competing for bronze.

General SSH tournament rules and polices are in effect for this tournament, some of which are highlighted below.

View tournament-specific rules and policies

Rules of the Game

NCAA ice hockey rules will be enforced, with the following modifications:

General Modifications

• No checking
• Zero tolerance on fighting: any involvement in a fight on or off the ice will result in a lifetime ban from any and all StinkySocks hockey games, tournaments, leagues, etc.
• Blue line automatic icing will be enforced.
• Time (Rounds 1-3) – (3) 15-minute periods – last (1) minutes of the 3rd period (or overtime) stopped time if score is within 1 goal, (1) minute between periods and (3) minutes to warm up. Games can result in a tie.
• Time (Semi-Finals and Finals) – (3) 15-minute periods, last (2) minutes of the 3rd period (or overtime) stopped time, (1) minute between periods and (3) minutes to warm up. In the event of a tie in regulation, overtime periods of 5 minutes  in length will repeat until there is a winner. Overtime is played as 4v4.
• Officiating – (2) Referees per game
• Timeouts – None, except final game, where each team will be given (1) one-minute timeout at any point in the game.
• Penalties – Any player who has 3 minor penalties in a game will be ejected from that game. Any such disqualification will count towards the Three Strike Rule for team disqualification. A subsequent conduct issue on or off ice while exiting that game (e.g. unsportsmanlike conduct) will result in an additional game disqualification. A major penalty will result in player ejection from the game and disqualification from the tournament.
• Teams must have matching color jerseys.
• Players must be on bench before the end of the first period for any game to play in that game.
• Players must participate in one game during rounds 1-3 to be eligible to play in a semi-final or final game.

Team Three Strike Rule

A team that incurs 3 player disqualifications (individual game or tournament) will be disqualified as a team. Generally, player disqualifications come in the following forms:

• Excessive Minor Penalties – A player is disqualified from a game if they are assessed (3) minor penalties in one game.
• Major Penalty – A player is disqualified from the tournament if they are assessed a major penalty.
• General Conduct – A player is given an administrative warning if improper physical or verbal conduct is observed. Upon a subsequent conduct-related issue, that same player would be disqualified from the tournament. Refer the “No Jerks” policy.
• Level Challenge – If the level eligibility of a player is challenged by another team and that is upheld then then player will be disqualified from the tournament. Refer to the “Administrative Level Appeals.”

Conduct (aka “no jerks”) Policy

In the spirit of StinkySocks Hockey, it is expected that players conduct themselves with good sportsmanship and respect for others. Our “no jerks” helps to maintain an enjoyable environment at StinkySocks Hockey tournaments. It covers both physical and verbal conduct, be it on ice or off, and is an administrative process that is addition to in -game infractions.

Any player demonstrating actions on or off the ice that are deemed by any SSH staff member to be contrary to the spirit of a SSH tournament will be given one warning, with both the offending player and captain being notified. Any second violation will result in disqualification from the tournament and will count towards their team’s disqualification allowance (3/3 rule). This policy covers both off-ice and on-ice conduct. Any fighting or threat of fight by a player will result in disqualification from the tournament and release from eligibility for any and all future StinkySocks Hockey games and events. This is and administrative process and is separate from the Rules of the Game.

All players must register on their own in advance of the tournament and by the deadline specified to be added to their team’s roster and be eligible to check in. Approximately 2 weeks prior to the tournament and after payment in full, each captain is provided a unique web link and team code that is to be distributed to their players in order for them to register for the team’s tournament roster. The captain should also be sure to register themselves as a player if they’ll be participating. On the tournament weekend all players must check in with a valid ID and display the helmet sticker provided to be eligible to play.

To be eligible to participate in any tournament game, a player must:

• Be 21 years of age or older.
• Individually qualify for the level that their team has entered.
• Register on their team’s roster by the deadline and, in that process, have e-signed a waiver.
• Check in at the tournament with a valid ID.
• Display the helmet sticker provided at check-in.
• Have a team matching jersey that is uniquely numbered and use that same jersey/number for the entirety of the tournament.
• Be otherwise eligible to participate in a StinkySocks Hockey event (e.g. cannot be on a conduct hold, admin hold, or have been previously released from eligibility).

We encourage all teams to roster a backup goalie and players to be prepared for unforeseen schedule changes/issues/injuries.

Q: When does the final payment get charged?
A: Final payments are charged automatically to the same form of payment as your deposit and at the discounted rate, four weeks prior to the tournament. Those wishing to make their final payment manually can do so by contacting the league office before the deadline (two weeks prior to the tournament).

Q: How can I make sure that my team can use our preferred jersey color?
A: Jersey colors are requested at the time of registration. In the case of a jersey color conflicts within your team’s division, whoever requested the color first, usually by registering first, will be given preference.

Q: We have players who all even out to the given level. Is that OK?
A: Unfortunately not. Level is one of the founding values at StinkySocks Hockey so all players must qualify to play at the level that their team is entering.

Q: Do I need to roster a backup goalie?
A: It’s up to each team who they want to register. Even if you think that your primary goalie can make any and all games of the tournament we recommend having a backup registered due to any unpredictable circumstance. In the event that your goalie can’t play in a game, you will not be able to place your own goalie who is not rostered. The league will do everything possible to place a goalie who qualifies for the level you but that cannot be guaranteed.

Q: Where can I submit my roster?
A: Captains do not submit rosters. Approximately 2 weeks prior to the tournament and after your team is paid in full we’ll provide you with a unique link to forward to you players. Each player can the register at that link prior to the player registration deadline stated.

Q: When will I know the schedule?
A: We will provide the schedule approximately 2 weeks prior to the tournament. Even after that point it is possible that the schedule can change so players should be aware that games can take place at any time within the range given for each day.

Q: I have extra players. Where do I pay for those?
A: If your roster exceeds the player allowance when player registration closes we’ll reach out to ask you who should be removed or, in the case you’d like to keep everyone, we’ll permission to charge the card on file for those exceeding the limit.

Q: What if there’s a player on another team who doesn’t appear to qualify for the level?
A: We have a system of checks and balances to ensure equitable leveling. If at any point in the first two rounds of the tournament you team feels that a player on another team does not qualify for the level then you, as the captain of any team in the same division regardless of whether or not you’ve played or observed the other team, can issue a formal level challenge by alerting the onsite staff of your wish to due so. That starts the process and we’ll make a determination of eligibility based on our staff’s prior observations.