Skip to Content

City of Oshawa homepage City of Oshawa homepage

Back to Homepage

Text Resize

Regular Large X-Large

Colour Contrast

Default High

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, please contact [email protected]

View Our Accessibility Plan

  • Careers
  • Live Chat
  • Apply & Register
    • Animal Licence
    • Apply for a Job
    • Bid Opportunity
    • Blue Box and Green Bin
    • Building Permits
    • Business Licence
    • Certification of Recognition
    • Development Application
    • Freedom of Information Request
    • Grant or Rebate
    • Parking Permit
  • Pay & Buy
    • Animal Licences
    • By-law Penalty
    • Donations
    • Parking Tickets
    • Property Taxes
    • Recreation Program
  • Get Involved
    • Attend or View a Meeting
    • Connect with Oshawa
    • Contact Council
    • Service Feedback
    • Speak at a meeting
    • Submit a Complaint
    • Volunteer
  • Report an Issue
    • City or Park Tree Maintenance
    • Faulty Parking Meter or Pay Machine
    • Lost Pet
    • Missed Garbage Collection
    • Parks or Trail Maintenance
    • Roadway or Sidewalk Maintenance
    • Streetlight Out
    • Service Oshawa Online
Contact Us
  • activeOshawa Online Registration
  • Assistance and Support
    • Assistance and Support
    • Canadian Tire Jumpstart
    • Durham Region Social Services
    • Inclusion Services
    • Oshawa residents 65 years and older
    • Recreation Access Membership Program (RAMP)
    • Recreation Fee Assistance Program
    • Respect Check
    • Their Opportunity
  • Facilities and Rentals
    • Facilities and Rentals
    • Arena Rentals
    • Ball Diamond Rentals
    • Birthday Party Packages
    • Civic Fieldhouse Rentals
    • Civic Recreation Complex Fields Rentals
    • Court Rentals
    • Facility Updates
    • Meeting Room Rentals
    • Recreation Facility Status
    • Sport Field Rentals
    • Tracks Indoor and Outdoor
  • Memberships and Admissions
  • News and Updates
    • News and Updates
    • Recreation News
    • Reopening Recreation
  • Recreation Programs and Services
    • Recreation Programs and Services
    • activeOshawa Guide
    • Creative Classes
    • Hockey and Skating
    • Fitness Centres and Programs
    • March Break and Holiday Camps
    • Register for a Program
    • Sports
    • Summer Camps
    • Swimming
    • Youth Programs
X

Adults playing hockey

Adult Hockey League

Home...Recreation Programs and ServicesHockey and SkatingAdult Hockey League
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Oshawa Adult Recreational Hockey League (O.A.R.H.L.)

A hockey player shooting on a goalie

The O.A.R.H.L. is now accepting team registrations for the Spring/Summer league which begins May 10, 2023. The O.A.R.H.L. remains committed to providing a safe, fun and enjoyable adult recreational hockey league experience.

 Spring/Summer 2023 season information
  • Games are played on Wednesday nights at the Delpark Homes Centre.
  • The season begins on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.
  • Game start times are between 6:15 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.
  • 16 games are guaranteed
  • Team fee is $4,556.16, H.S.T. included.
    • A $1,000 deposit is due once the team registration is approved.
    • The remaining balance for the team fee is due before week eight of the season.

Submit a team registration form

 Fall/Winter 2023-2024 season information

 

  • Games are on Sunday nights at the Delpark Homes Centre starting September 17, 2023.
  • Games will not be scheduled on:
    • October 8, 2023
    • December 24, 2023
    • December 31, 2023
    • February 11, 2024
    • March 31, 2024
  • Game start times are between 4:15 p.m. and 11 p.m.
  • 25 games are guaranteed
  • Offering B, C, D and 35 plus divisions
  • Rosters are limited to 16 players, including goalie
  • Team fee is $6,300 plus H.S.T.
    • A $1,000 deposit is due once the team registration is approved.
    • The remaining balance for the team fee is due before week ten of the season.

Submit a team registration form

O.A.R.H.L. Playing Rules and Regulations

  • Administration
  • Game requirements
  • Playing rules
  • Penalties and suspensions
  • Playoffs

The current Hockey Canada Rule Book will be utilized for all games with the exception of rules specific to the O.A.R.H.L. as outlined below.

Administration

 Alcohol and smoking
We strictly prohibit alcohol, smoking, and illegal substances of any kind in all areas of the facility including parking lots and dressing rooms. A three-step policy is in place.
  • First offence: a written warning to the team representative
  • Second offence: two-game suspension for a team representative
  • Third offence: indefinite suspension of the team

 

Individual discipline

  • First offence: the player will be removed from the game immediately
  • Second offence: three-game suspension to the player
  • Third offence: player suspended for the rest of the season
 Damage to premises
Any repair or replacement costs for damages to the facility or property are payable by the team or individual. Additional penalties may be issued at our discretion.
 Divisional alignment
  • Teams are reviewed after weeks five and ten
  • Divisions may be adjusted if necessary to ensure parity within each division
 Dressing rooms
  • Teams must leave their dressing room within 30 minutes after their game
  • Dressing room keys are available at arena reception
 End of season review
The league will review the conduct of players and teams to ensure the rules and regulations of the league are respected. The league reserves the right to decline the registration of any individual player or team for violating rules or regulations.
Team roster 
  • Players must be 18 years of age or older
  • Teams must have a minimum of six players (five skaters and one goalie or six skaters) to play a game

Game requirements

Absent goaltender
  • We will assist you in trying to get a replacement but cannot guarantee a replacement.
  • If a goaltender is not on the ice and ready to play by the start of the second period, the team will forfeit the game. The game may continue as an exhibition, but referees are not obligated to remain on the ice. Any player conduct during the exhibition game deemed inappropriate by league staff may result in player suspension.
  • A replacement goaltender for a playoff game must have played at least two regular-season games in the same division or be approved by us before the game.
Entry onto the ice surface

Players may not enter the ice until the flood has finished and the doors are completely closed.

Forfeit and default games
  • The winning team will be awarded a 1-0 win
  • Any team forfeiting a playoff game will lose four points in the playoff round-robin standings, and the winning team will be awarded a 1-0 win
Game length
 Each game consists of a warm-up and three ten minute stop periods.
  • 15 minutes will be put on the clock and will begin once the ice resurfacer gate has closed
  • The buzzer will sound at 12:30 to end the warm-up
  • The clock will continue to run until the first stoppage of play in the first period
  • If a team fails to have enough players on the ice by the 10-minute mark, a minor penalty will be issued for delay of game
Game sheet
  • All players must sign the roster sheet and indicate their jersey number before the start of each game
  • Players not listed or who have not signed the game sheet will not receive credit for playing in the game
 Jersey requirements
  • In the event both teams are wearing similar colour jerseys, the team with the fewest number of skaters will wear pinnies supplied by us
  • All player jerseys must have a number on the back of their jersey
 Player lateness
  • Any player playing in a game must sign the roster sheet and be on the ice ready to play by the start of the second period

Playing rules

 Blood
If a player is cut during a game and blood is drawn, the player must leave the ice and cover the wound; before continuing to play in the game
 Canadian Standards Associations (C.S.A.) approved helmet
All players (skaters and goaltenders) must wear a C.S.A. approved hockey helmet correctly fastened with a chinstrap. Full facial protection is strongly recommended for all players and mandatory for goaltenders
 Code of conduct
  • All players and spectators must treat the game officials, opposing players and staff with respect
  • During the game, the referees' decisions are final
  • Behaviour that will not be tolerated includes, but is not limited to: verbal abuse, profane language threats, physical contact, acts of aggression, unsportsmanlike conduct
  • Violations of the Code of Conduct may result in suspension from the league for the current season and future seasons for individual players and teams. Interpretation of all violations is at the sole discretion of the City of Oshawa
 Contact with goaltender
  • Whether in or out of the crease, contact with an opposing goaltender will be penalized strictly. This includes slashing at a puck that the goaltender has covered, regardless of whether the whistle has blown
  • If a puck hits a goaltender in the mask, the play will be stopped and the ensuing faceoff will take place at the nearest faceoff dot from where the puck was shot
  • If the puck deflects off the goaltender's mask and goes in the net, the goal will be awarded
  • If a player is standing in the goal crease without making contact with the goaltender for an extended period, at the referees' discretion, the play will be stopped, and the ensuing faceoff will take place in the neutral zone
 Icing
Icing must be initiated from behind the defensive zone blue line and is automatic when the puck crosses the goal line. If a goaltender leaves the crease area to play the puck, the icing will be waived off
 League governance
Rules found in the current version of the Hockey Canada Rule Book are followed for all games. The Oshawa Adult Recreation Hockey League also has specific rules and regulations
 Player eligibility
 
 Protests
Protests are not allowed. The referees' decisions are final. Issues may be discussed with us the following day
Regular season standings 
 Team standings will be determined as follows:
  • Head to Head
  • Winning percentage versus teams in the same division
  • Most wins in regulation versus teams in the same division
  • Fewest penalty minutes
  • Fewest goals against
 Rule clarification
  • Referees may address player concerns, limited to rule clarification, briefly during stoppages of play
  • If players are persistent or abusive, they will be penalized and, if necessary, further disciplinary action may be taken upon review by the league
 Running time
  • Running time will occur in the last five minutes of the third period during the regular season and playoff games if there is a five-goal spread (e.g. 5-0 or 8-3) and will only revert to stop time if the game is brought back to within two goals (e.g. 5-3 or 8-6)
  • At the discretion of the referees, the game clock may continue to run during fights or altercations
 Tied games
  • If a game is tied at the end of regulation, it will be decided by a three-player shootout
  • Players from each team will shoot at the same time
  • If still tied after the first three shooters, it will go to a sudden-victory shootout. All players must shoot once before any player can take a second shot
  • Any player whose penalty has not expired at the end of regulation time will not be eligible to participate in the shootout
  • Playoff games will remain tied and shootouts are not applicable
Timeouts 
 Timeouts are only allowed during playoff games. Each team is entitled to one 30 second timeout per playoff game

Penalties and suspensions

 Balance of game (B.O.G.)
  • A balance of game penalty may be issued to any player who is being unruly and who the referees believe may become involved in a dangerous incident in the game
  • Balance of game is a game ejection only, with no penalty minutes or suspension assessed to the offending player. Failure to leave the ice quickly will result in further penalty or suspension
  • Any player who is assessed a B.O.G. must remain in the dressing room until the end of the game or leave the arena immediately
 Double minor penalties
The following infractions will be issued a double minor penalty or at the discretion of the referee and major penalty and game misconduct:
  • All Stick Infractions
  • High-Sticking (If drawing blood will also be issued a B.O.G.)
  • Slashing
  • Cross-Checking
  • Spearing
  • Butt-Ending
  • Body Checking
  • Head Contact
 Fighting
Fighting will not be tolerated. One punch can constitute a fight or what is called a one-player fight
  • First fight: three-game suspension
  • Second fight: five-game suspension
  • Third fight: indefinite suspension

If an instigator or aggressor is identified, those players will receive an additional two-game suspension for each offence

 Game ejection
  • Any player receiving six minutes in penalties of any type in the same game will receive a Game Ejection
  • If a goaltender receives a Game Ejection for penalties, the goaltender will not be ejected from the game, but will be suspended from their next scheduled game
  • Goalies will be immediately ejected from the game for a Major Penalty, Gross Misconduct, or Match Penalty. The offending team may continue the game with six skaters or forfeit the game
 Ineligible player
 Any team that plays a game with an ineligible player will forfeit the game
 Major penalties
  • First occurrence: minimum two-game suspension
  • Second occurrence: minimum four-game suspension
  • Third occurrence: indefinite suspension
Match penalties 
  • A match penalty will result in an indefinite suspension (minimum five games) with review and disciplinary action by the league
  • Match penalties include, but are not limited to, verbal or physical threats towards any member of City of Oshawa staff, referees, or another player in the league and any deliberate attempt to injure another player in the league
 Player penalty minutes: threshold and suspension
Player suspensions for accumulating penalty minutes are as follows:
  • 40 minutes = 1 game suspension
  • 50 minutes = 3 game suspension
  • 60 minutes = remainder of season

All penalty minutes carry over into the playoffs.

 Player suspensions
  • The team representative will be informed via email of any player suspensions
  • It is the team representative's responsibility to ensure the player serves the entire suspension.
  • Any team representative who permits a suspended player to play will be issued a two-game suspension.
  • Any player playing while under suspension will be issued an additional two-game suspension
 Suspension and expulsion
Refunds will not be given for extended suspension from league play as a result of any infraction of the Oshawa Adult Recreational Hockey League playing rules and regulations

Playoffs

 Playoff Format
  • All players must have played and signed the Roster Sheet for a minimum of seven regular-season games to be eligible to play in the playoffs. Exceptions may be considered in extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the league.
  • Each team will play in a round-robin series
  • The round-robin format will be determined annually based on the number of teams in each division
  • No overtime or shoot-out in round-robin games
    • Games tied after the third period will remain as a tie.
  • One timeout is allowed per team in division championship games
  • The first and second place teams at the end of the round-robin will advance to the division championship.
  • Tiebreaker format if teams tied after round-robin:
    1. Most wins (in playoff round-robin)
    2. Head to head (only if two teams are tied)
    3. Fewest goals against (in playoff round-robin)
    4. Team plus/minus ratio (goals for minus goals against)
    5. Fewest penalty minutes (in playoff round-robin)
 Overtime - championship games
Teams will play three on three for a five-minute sudden-death period. Teams do not change ends for overtime. If still tied, a shoot-out will occur:
  • Three-player shoot-out and most goals win
  • Any player whose penalty has not expired at the end of overtime will not be eligible to participate in the shoot-out
  • Shooters must be identified to the referees/timekeeper before the start of the shoot-out
  • Shooters will go one at a time and all other players must be on the bench during the shoot-out
  • If still tied after three shooters, a sudden victory shoot-out will occur
  • The original players from the first three-player shoot-out may not shoot again until all players on the team have taken a shot
  • The sudden victory shoot-out will continue until there is a winner

Thank you to our sponsor

 

Buffalo Wild Wings logo

Thank you to our generous sponsor, Buffalo Wild Wings. 

Parks, Recreation and Culture
  • Recreation
    • activeOshawa Online Registration
    • Assistance and Support
      • Assistance and Support
      • Canadian Tire Jumpstart
      • Durham Region Social Services
      • Inclusion Services
      • Oshawa residents 65 years and older
      • Recreation Access Membership Program (RAMP)
      • Recreation Fee Assistance Program
      • Respect Check
      • Their Opportunity
    • Facilities and Rentals
      • Facilities and Rentals
      • Arena Rentals
      • Ball Diamond Rentals
      • Birthday Party Packages
      • Civic Fieldhouse Rentals
      • Civic Recreation Complex Fields Rentals
      • Court Rentals
      • Facility Updates
      • Meeting Room Rentals
      • Recreation Facility Status
      • Sport Field Rentals
      • Tracks Indoor and Outdoor
    • Memberships and Admissions
    • News and Updates
      • News and Updates
      • Recreation News
      • Reopening Recreation
    • Recreation Programs and Services
      • Recreation Programs and Services
      • activeOshawa Guide
        • activeOshawa Guide Advertising
      • Creative Classes
      • Hockey and Skating
        • Adult Hockey League
        • Leisure Skating
        • Outdoor Skating
      • Fitness Centres and Programs
        • Fitness Centre
        • Fitness Classes
        • Memberships and Admissions
        • Personal Training
        • Teen and Youth Fitness Programs
        • Tracks Indoor and Outdoor
      • March Break and Holiday Camps
      • Register for a Program
      • Sports
        • Drop-In Sports
        • Indoor Soccer League
        • Skateboarding
      • Summer Camps
        • Counsellor and Leader In Training Programs
        • Playground Program
      • Swimming
        • Lakeview Park Beach
        • Leisure Swimming
        • Lifeguarding and Swim Instruction
        • Splash Pads
        • Swimming Lessons
      • Youth Programs
        • Leisure Rooms
        • Teen and Youth Fitness Programs
        • Youth Council
    • Sponsorship and Advertising
  • View Full Parks, Recreation and Culture Menu
    • Parks, Recreation and Culture
    • Arts and Culture
      • Art and Exhibitions
        • Art and Exhibitions
        • Artist Calls
        • Arts and Culture in the Hall
        • TeachingCity
      • Arts Events and Classes
        • Arts Events and Classes
        • Creative Classes
        • Culture Days
        • Culture Map
        • Culture Summit
        • Doors Open
        • Event Calendar
        • Urban Art Festival
      • Culture Counts
        • Culture Counts
        • Arts, Culture and Heritage Plan
        • Cultural Leadership Council
        • Public Art Policy and Master Plan
        • Public Art Task Force
      • Funding and Support
        • Funding and Support
        • Arts, Culture and Heritage Award Program
        • Arts, Culture, and Heritage Funding
      • Public Art
        • Public Art
        • Urban Art Park
        • Public Artworks
      • Festivals and Events
    • Community Clubs, Groups and Organizations
    • Events Calendar
    • Festivals and Events
      • City Events
        • 100th Anniversary
          • Community Centennial Committee
        • Bright and Merry Market
        • Canada Day
        • Community Clean Up
        • Culture Days
        • Doors Open Oshawa
        • Events in the Park
        • June is Recreation and Parks Month
        • Kars on King
        • National Youth and Youth Art Week
        • Oshawa Celebrates
        • Peony Festival
        • Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony
        • Share Your Holiday Spirit
      • Events Calendar
      • Host an Event
      • Volunteering
    • History and Heritage
      • Doors Open Oshawa
      • Heritage Properties
        • Alterations and Demolition
        • Designated Properties
        • Heritage Property Tax Reduction
        • Plaque Program
      • History of Oshawa
      • Museums
      • Windfields Farm
    • Libraries
    • Parks, Trails and Open Spaces
      • Commemorative Trees and Benches
      • Gardens
        • Gardens
        • Oshawa Valley Botanical Gardens
        • Pollinator Garden and Meadow
      • Off-leash Dog Parks
      • Park and Gate Access Permits
      • Park Directory
      • Plants to Avoid
      • Parks Planning and Development
        • Park Design Standards
      • Splash Pads and Beaches
      • Sports Fields and Courts
      • Trails
      • Trees
    • Visiting Oshawa
      • Visiting Oshawa
      • Eat and Drink
      • Plan Your Stay
      • Things to Do
    • Volunteering
    • Waterfront
      • Waterfront
      • Group Picnics
      • Lakeview Park Beach

Contact Us

© 2022 City of Oshawa

Service Oshawa
1st Floor, West Wing, City Hall
50 Centre St. S.
Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7

Phone: 905-436-3311
Toll Free: 1-800-667-4292
Email: [email protected]

  • Resources

    • Accessibility
    • Contact Us
    • Freedom of Information
    • Land Acknowledgement
    • Privacy & Terms of Use
    • Sitemap
    • Website Feedback
  • Open new window to view our Facebook page
  • Open new window to view our Twitter page
  • Open new window to view our Instagram page
  • Open new window to view our Youtube page
  • Open new window to view our LinkedIn page

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.