Adult Hockey League

• Games are on Sunday nights at the Delpark Homes Centre starting September 13, 2026
• Games will not be scheduled on:
  • October 11, 2026
  • December 20 and 27, 2026
  • February 7, 2027
  • March 28, 2027
• Game start times are between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.
• 25 games are guaranteed
• Offering B, C and D divisions
• Rosters are limited to 16 players, including goalie
• Team fee is $7,486.25, H.S.T. included
• A $1,000 non-refundable deposit is due once the team registration is approved
• The remaining balance for the team fee is due November 22, 2026

• Games are played on Wednesday nights at the Delpark Homes Centre.
• The season begins on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
• Game start times may be between 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• 16 games are guaranteed.
• Team fee is $4,791.20, H.S.T. included.
• A $1,000 non-refundable deposit is due once the team registration is approved.
• The remaining balance for the team fee is due by June 24, 2026.
• Registration is now open, complete an O.A.R.H.L. Team Registration Form.

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

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.

• Teams are reviewed after weeks five and ten
• Divisions may be adjusted if necessary to ensure parity within each division

• Teams must leave their dressing room within 30 minutes after their game
• Dressing room keys are available at arena reception

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.

• 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

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

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

• 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

• 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 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

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

Protests are not allowed. The referees' decisions are final. Issues may be discussed with us the following day

 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

• 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 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

• If a game is tied at the end of regulation, it will be decided by a three-player shootout (Fall/Winter season only)
  • 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 are only allowed during playoff games. Each team is entitled to one 30 second timeout per playoff game

• 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

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 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

• 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

 Any team that plays a game with an ineligible player will forfeit the game

• First occurrence: minimum two-game suspension
• Second occurrence: minimum four-game suspension
• Third occurrence: indefinite suspension

• 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 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.

• 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

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

• 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)

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