Table of Contents
This organization shall be known as the Buckeye Travel Hockey League, also called the BTHL or the Corporation.
This organization is a non-profit Corporation.
To provide the best environment possible in amateur hockey. The BTHL shall emphasize: the excellence of coaching
and teaching the sport; the spirit of competition and fair play; a goal of providing the optimum medium to enhance
the ability and attitude of participants as individuals and team representatives; the providing and development of
leadership; the fostering and promotion of the reputation of the league, the sponsors, the teams and its players.
- Membership will consist of area Amateur and/or Youth Ice Hockey Associations. To qualify for membership in the
BTHL an Association must be a current member of USA Hockey and in good standing. Application must be made to the BTHL
Board of Trustees and approved by two-thirds affirmative vote of all Trustees. A two-thirds vote is also required to
revoke membership. If at any time a member Association is suspended or otherwise terminated by USA Hockey, that
Association's membership in the BTHL shall be automatically revoked. Re-entry will require application and approval,
the same as any other new member. Any team skating for a member Association in good standing, properly registered and
rostered by USA Hockey as a Tier II team, may participate in the BTHL.
- Membership is non-transferable. No membership shall be transferable or assignable except by a two-thirds
affirmative vote of the BTHL Board of Trustees.
- Voting. Each Association that has successfully applied for membership in the BTHL shall be entitled to one vote
on all matters that come before the Corporation at any meeting; it is further provided that each participating
Association shall appoint a Representative, plus one Alternate, to this Corporation. The Representative, or Alternate,
in the event that the Representive is absent, shall be entitled to cast such vote.
- Omission of Liability. No member Association or Team shall be in any manner, individually or collectively, liable
for any act or omission of this Corporation, nor for any loss, damage or injury of whatsoever and or nature suffered by
or occurring to any other member team or to any other person, concern or body.
- League Meetings. Each member organization is required to attend three board meetings each season. Those
meetings shall include the Scheduling meeting, the Annual meeting and one other meeting of the member's choice.
Failure to fulfill this commitment will result in, but is not limited to, a fine to be determined by the Executive
board at the Annual meeting.
- Powers: The Board of Trustees, hereinafter called the Board, shall have and exercise all the usual powers of
Trustees of a business and Corporation also the immediate government and direction of the property and affairs of the
Corporation. The Board shall make all rules and regulations that they deem necessary for the government of the
Corporation and for the due and orderly conduct of the Corporation.
- Representatives: Each Association with at least one member team in good standing shall appoint one official
Representative and Alternate to act as a League Board Member. The appointment of this Representative is the sole
responsibility of the member Association and shall be for a term of one year or until otherwise notified by the
Association in writing. The Alternate shall vote in the absence of the Representative but shall not assume the
responsibility of an Executive Officer.
- Meetings: The Board shall meet during the month of May each year for their Annual Meeting at which they shall
elect officers for the ensuing year. Nominations for Officers of the Executive Board shall take place at the same
meeting. Other meetings may be called by any Board Member according to the notice requirements set forth hereinafter.
At all meetings of the Board, a quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of a simple majority. Business
shall be transacted by a majority vote of all Board Members present, provided a quorum is present. Any action so
taken shall be deemed the action of the full Board.
- Notice: At least ten days written notice shall be given all members of the Board for annual meetings and at least
five days notice shall be given of all other meetings of the Board. The last known address of a Board Member in the
absence of written notice to the contrary shall be the address appearing in the then current notebook. Emergency
meetings may be called by any Officer, or any two Trustees with twenty-four (24) hour notice.
- Compensation: No Board Member shall receive any salary or compensation for services as a Board Member unless
otherwise especially approved by the Executive Board. Board Members shall be reimbursed for verified expenses
submitted to and approved by the Executive Board.
- Paid Services: The Executive Board may employ staff or contract for services as it deems necessary. Duties,
responsibilities, qualifications, consideration and compensations shall be set by the Executive Board. Paid staff may
be requested to attend meetings and/or report to the Executive Board.
- Financing: The operation and conduct of this Corporation shall be financed by regular membership fees and dues,
voluntary contributing and incidental receipts. All membership fees and dues shall be on a team basisis. No team can
begin BTHL play until membership fee and dues are paid in full.
- Insurance: The Board shall cause liability or other Insurance to be obtained as deemed necessary or as required
by law and shall be paid on an annual basis in such amounts and to such firms as the Board may determine.
- The elected Executive Board shall consist of: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The past
president shall automatically become a member of the Executive Board. In the event a board position cannot be
filled, open positions will be filled on a rotating basis. New member organizations will be added to the end of the
current list. The top name on the list will be the first to fill open spots. As their term expires, the name will be
moved to the bottom of the current list. It is expected that the current Vice President will move into the President's
position the following season. List will be maintained by the current Executive Board and reviewed/edited at the
Annual Meeting. Failure to fulfill this obligation is grounds for expulsion of the member organization from the BTHL
for one season. Organization may file for reinstatement to the league after suspension has been served. The
Executive Board shall appoint from the remaining Board Members: a Chairperson in charge of Scheduling, a Chairperson in
charge of Publicity, a Chairperson in charge of Tournaments and a Chairperson in charge of Rules and Referees.
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List of Member Organizations to fill open Executive Board positions (effective 2001 - 2002 playing season):
|
| 1. Ft. Wayne |
9. Kettering Fairmont |
17. Cincinnati Cyclones |
| 2. Indy Racers |
10. Columbus Chill |
18. Findlay |
| 3. Indy Blues |
11. Columbus Bluejackets |
19. Easton |
| 4. Northern Kentucky |
12. Columbus, IN |
20. Owensboro |
| 5. Louisville |
13. Evansville Thunder |
21. Butler County |
| 6. Dayton Bluehawks |
14. Moeller |
22. Dayton Gems |
| 7. Athens |
15. Perry Park |
|
| 8. Dayton Bombers |
16. Columbus St. Charles |
|
- The Treasurer shall furnish a fidelity bond in such amount as the Executive Board annually may deem necessary, the
cost thereof to be paid by the Corporation. A counter-signature by a Board Officer, in addition to the Treasurer,
shall be required on all checks and savings withdrawals of any amount greater than a limit which shall be set annually
by the Executive Board.
- The President, after having successfully completed his/her full term in office, shall serve one full year as
immediate Past-President of the Board, with the rights, and privileges, and duties pertaining thereto, as a member of
the Executive Board.
- An officer may be removed by a two-thirds majority vote of the entire Board of Trustees, whenever in its judgment
the best interest of the Corporation would be served thereby.
- A vacancy in any office shall be elected by the Board of Trustees, from recommendations by the Executive Board or
nominations made by Represenetatives at that meeting for the unexpired portion of the term of office.
- General Duties: The duties of the officers shall be as their title implies and indicates, as required by law and
by these Code of Regulations, and as may be assigned to them respectively, from time to time, by the Board.
- President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Corporation; have the power to call meetings;
exercise general direction over the affairs and activities of the Corporation; have the power to create necessary
committees; present an annual report to the Board and to the members reviewing the season ended and making such
forecast for the season approaching as may be reasonable.
- Vice President: The Vice President shall assist the President in the general direction of all affairs and
activities of the Corporation. To aid in the smooth transition of power from year-to-year, an effort should be made
to have the Vice-President assume the role of President in the following year.
- Past President: The Past President shall act as chairperson of the Protest Committee and act in other capacities
as may from time to time be requested by the Executive Board. In the event the Past President shall be unable to
fulfill his/her duties, the Executive Board shall determine a successor.
- Secretary: The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the Executive Board meetings; maintain a membership list;
attend to the giving of notices of the corporation; be custodian of the organization records according to the laws of
the State of Ohio and the establishment of the Corporation; distribute the minutes of all Executive Board meetings as
soon thereafter as possible.
- Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have custody of, collect and keep accounts of all money, funds and property of the
Corporation and shall render such accounts and present such statements to the Board as may be required. A financial
report shall be provided to the Executive Board at each monthly meeting. An annual budget shall be presented to the
Executive Board for approval at the July meeting. A tax return and year-end financial report shall be presented to the
Executive Board prior to April 15.
- Chairperson Scheduling: The Scheduler shall be responsible for the formulation and administration of the league
schedules and serve as co-chairman of the Tournament Committee. This is a paid Board of Trustees appointment.
- There shall be one committee known as the Conduct Committee to be chaired by the immediate Past President or Vice
President and shall include at least two other members of the Board to be appointed by the Executive Board. It shall
be the duty of the Conduct Committee to hear and make all decisions on all matters of conduct and protest filed with
the committee according to the rules and regulation of the Corporation.
- The Regulations Committee shall be a standing committee. The Code of Regulations shall be reviewed on an annual
basis and modifications proposed or its accuracy reported at each annual meeting.
- The Tournament Committee shall be a standing committee and shall be co-chaired by the Chairperson-Tournaments and
Chairperson-Scheduling. The League playoffs shall constitute the minimum requirement for the Committee. Note: The
League Organizing Committee has decided that for the first year of operation as a League there will be no "League
Sponsored" tournaments.
- Other committees may be appointed by the President from time to time as they may become necessary.
The fiscal year shall begin the first day of June and end on the last day of May. The annual meeting shall coincide
with the ending of the fiscal year.
- Proposed amendments to these Code of Regulations shall be read at a general meeting or special meeting called for
that purpose, and may be voted upon at that time; provided however that fifteen days prior notice of the proposed
change is given to all Board Members.
- Adoption shall require a two-thirds majority vote of the entire Board of Trustees.
The By-laws listed above have been adopted for the 2001/2002 season by the following members:
| Athens |
Butler County |
Cincinnati |
| Cincinnati Moeller |
Columbus (IN) |
Columbus Chill |
| CAHA Bluejackets |
Columbus St. Charles |
Dayton Bluehawks |
| Dayton Bombers |
Dayton Gems |
Easton |
| Evansville |
Findlay |
Fort Wayne |
| Indianapolis Blues |
Indianapolis Racers |
Indianapolis Stars |
| Kettering Fairmont |
Louisville |
Northern Kentucky |
| Owensboro |
|
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Buckeye Travel Hockey League
- League Structure:
A league structure of games shall be conducted for the following age classifications with a minimum of four (4)
member teams: Mite, Squirt, PeeWee, Bantam and Midget. Eligible teams include any properly USA Hockey registered
team from a member Association.
- League Administration:
- A team making application to the League must name an official team representative and alternate. This
representative shall be responsible for overseeing the conduct of all BTHL games at their respective teams home
arena(s). Included among the responsibilities are: checking player and team official status (i.e. suspensions, etc.)
and notifying the Conduct Committee of all matters of concern regarding the efficient, fair and sportsmanlike conduct
of the League.
- So that a current league standing record may be made available, the home team shall be responsible for reporting
the score and mailing a copy of the score sheet to the BTHL in accordance with the procedure set forth by the
Executive Board. The official record shall be the game score sheet.
- Team Registration:
- Commitment of teams to the League shall be made in writing before the last
commitment date determined by the Board of Trustees. Application shall be accompanied by a non-refundable fee as
determined by the Board. Should an application be rejected by the League for any reason (i.e. not enough teams,
etc.) the application fee shall be refunded.
- All teams, their players, and team officials shall be registered and in
good standing with USA Hockey. The team representative shall place on file with the BTHL a copy of the USA Hockey
registration form and roster before the start of League play. If an official USA Hockey stamped
roster is not available, a copy of the roster submitted to USA Hockey must be provided. Roster changes shall
be made in accordance to the rules of USA Hockey. Any roster changes must be sent to the scheduler before any
league games are played with the personnel changes. Copies of all original rosters and all changes will be
maintained by the scheduler and will be considered the League roster. Any player added after December 31
shall not be eligible for that seasons League play. Any player not on the league roster will considered an
ineligible player. Participation of an ineligible player is grounds for forfeiture of all games the player
participated in.
- Movement of players from one BTHL club to another BTHL club in the same
division of play shall be allowed only with the written consent of both franchise holders and accepted by the Board
of BTHL. Movement without the written permission of the BTHL Board may result in forfeiture of all games
participated in by the player for the offending club.
- Teams will be organized at the "A" and "AA" levels. Teams with more than
six (6) "2nd-year" players will be considered as a "AA" BTHL team. Any self-declared "A" team with more than
6 2nd-year players will be subject to review by the scheduler and Executive Board (Officers). A team that is subject
to review should include with their application a justification for participating at the "A" level. An "A" team with
6 or more 2nd-year players will not be permitted to add 2nd-year players to their roster after playing level
determinations have been made. Violations of this rule may result in forfeiture of all games participated in by the
offending player(s).
In the Midget division, a second year player is defined as a player in his/her third (3rd) year of eligibility.
- League Games:
- Team Responsibility: Each team shall be accompanied at all league games
by an adult coach and/or manager.
- Conduct: Team officials (coaches, managers and team representatives)
shall be responsible for the conduct of their teams before, during, and after league games,
particularly regarding the use of dressing rooms. Incidents of damage or other conduct
prohibited by these Rules and Regulations, the rules and regulations of USA Hockey, or
by law, should be brought to the attention to the BTHL Conduct Committee. Team
Officials shall be held responsible for damages or other loss caused by their teams.
- Spectators: Each Teams Representative shall take action to insure that
spectators are not abusive to officials, players, team officials, or other spectators. Failure to do so could
result in team suspension or game forfeiture.
- Home team: The home team shall furnish official game pucks, a timer and
scorekeeper, and at least one hour of ice with adequate dressing room facilities for each team. Scoresheets shall
list all registered players of the competing teams, and indicate the player's status if absent or suspended.
Where uniform colors are similar, the home team shall supply and wear numbered or see-through "pullovers" or
scrimmage vests.
- Referees:
- Each home team shall provide at least two officials. Officials must be USA Hockey certified and meet the
requirements as established by USA Hockey as set forth in the annual USA Hockey Guide. One adult referee is
acceptable with the written approval of both team coaches on the front of the scoresheet, signed before the start
of the game. Once the puck is dropped to start the game, neither team can use this rule as a basis to protest
the outcome of the game.
- If a home team does not have 2 official referees on hand at game time, and the visiting team does not
wish to play under these circumstances, then the game is to be re-played at the Home Team's rink and rescheduled
within 14 days. If the game cannot be rescheduled at the home rink, the game shall be re-played at the Visitor's
rink. In both cases, the offending team will pay for the rescheduled ice and referees. Problems in rescheduling
the game must be brought immediately to the attention of the Scheduling Chair to avoid a FORFEITURE.
- All officials assigned to BTHL games must adhere to the "On-Ice Officials Code of Conduct"
as listed in the annual USA Hockey Guide. Further, teams securing on-ice officials should strive
not to have referees who are immediate relatives of players or coaches involved in the game. USA
Hockey has guidelines which deal with this and these should be followed.
- Game Rules: League games shall be played according to the rules as
set forth by USA Hockey except as modified herein:
- The number of League games shall not exceed 24 for any team at any division. In
the case that non-league games are played in addition to league games it is understood that unless otherwise noted
ahead of time the first games played during the official season will be considered "league" games. Any additional
games during that time will be considered "non-league" scrimmages. The schedule format will be as follows:
- With 7 teams or less in a given division, each team will play all the other teams in the division twice
at home and twice away for a total of 4 times.
- With 8 or 9 teams in a given division, each team will play all the other teams in the division a total of
3 times. All teams should have a balanced schedule with as much as possible, an equal number of home and away
league games.
- With 10-11 teams in a given division each team will play all the other teams in the division twice -or-
consideration should be given to sub-dividing the division. Sub-division could be done geographically (north,
south, east, west), estimated talent levels and/or randomly.
- d. With 12 or more teams sub-division must occur.
- Game time.
Games will be played with 12 minute periods where possible. Where there is not enough ice time for
12 minutes, 10 minutes will be acceptable. If there is enough time for more than 12 minutes, both coaches
must be in agreement and the scoresheet must be initialed by both coaches prior to the start of the game,
indicating agreement. If one coach is not agreeable with longer periods, 12 minutes will be used.
- In the case of a curfew rink, the game will end at the time the teams must be off the ice. Running time can be
used. Visiting teams should be notified as early as possible if a game is a curfew game.
- Penalty times. Players in all divisions shall be assessed
2 minutes for a minor, 5 minutes for a major and 10 minutes for a misconduct.
- Game start/warm-up. The time listed in the BTHL schedule shall be the time that
both teams are to take the ice. A reasonable warm-up period shall be allowed both
teams (whether or not they are on the ice) commencing at the designated starting
time, or at the time the ice becomes available, whichever is later.
- Teams will shake hands AFTER the game.
- Game misconduct. A player or coach who receives a penalty during a league game
requiring sitting out a game shall be suspended for at least his team's next league game. USA Hockey rules apply
to non-league games in addition to the BTHL suspension. Please note that a single game mis-conduct could result in
sitting 2 games if the penalty occurred in a league game and the next game for the team happens to be non-league.
In the event a player receives a game misconduct in the last league game of the season, the suspension will be
served in the first play-off game in the end of season tournament. Any player, coach or manager who receives
two game misconducts in one season will be reviewed by the Conduct Committee. Any subsequent game misconducts will
result in a hearing conducted by the Conduct Committee within 30 days of the occurrence of the 3rd game misconduct.
Until such hearing is held the individual involved is suspended from all BTHL play.
- Gross/Match Penalty. USA Hockey requires that a mandatory hearing by proper authorities whenever a Gross or
Match Penalty is assessed. A written report from that hearing
should must be forwarded
to the Conduct Committee within 5 days. Should a second Gross or Match penalty be assessed during the season, in
addition to the results of any local hearing, the Conduct Committee will hold a hearing on the penalty within 30
days. The individual involved is suspended from all BTHL play until the hearing is conducted.
- Confirmation/make-ups. Failure to appear as scheduled may result in forfeiture. Games which need to be
re-scheduled because of adverse traffic and/or weather conditions, be made up within 30 days (some flexibility
is allowed depending upon availability of ice).
- Refusal to compete. Refusal to compete in any game as directed by the Scheduling Chair or Conduct Committee is
considered immediate resignation from the League. Said team will be dropped from all subsequent League activities,
functions, schedules, standings and trophy eligibilities.
- League schedule. Any team not completing their League schedule will be ineligible to participate in playoffs
and will be brought immediately to the Conduct Committee with possible further action taken.
- Game Schedule:
- Regular season schedule.
- The regular season will be scheduled at a single meeting sometime in the fall of the year. A firm date for
this meeting will be determined by the BTHL Board during the summer before the upcoming season and has
traditionally been held during the month of September.
- Each team making application to participate in the BTHL agrees to have a representative with available
home ice present at this meeting. An individual will not be permitted to schedule for multiple teams.
- Teams are expected to schedule the completion of all league games before the season-ending League Tournament.
They should arrive at the scheduling meeting with an open slate, the scheduling of any non-league games should be
done AFTER the completion of the league schedule.
- In the event that a season schedule cannot be completed, each team involved will be required to supply the
Scheduling Chair with the following information before leaving the meeting:
- All open weekend days (or other potential game days) for each team involved.
- All available ice times with a notation of why the opposing team(s) cannot play at that time.
Consideration will be given to tournaments, but other non-BTHL games are not considered a valid excuse. Note
also that this is a "Travel League" and while we are sensitive to the expense involved, in order to complete
the schedule an overnight stay may be required.
- The goal of the Scheduling Meeting is to have 100% completion. At a minimum, any unscheduled games must
have a plan of resolution agreed upon before leaving the meeting. Potential solutions could include (but are
not limited to) scheduling at other rinks or counting an upcoming tournament game as a league contest.
- Sometime within a few days after the Scheduling Meeting, the Scheduling Chair will post an Official
Schedule on the League Web Page. It will be each team's responsibility to notify the Scheduling Chair of any
errors found and when corrected to confirm the accuracy of the schedule in writing.
- League Tournament.
- A firm date for this tournament will be determined by the BTHL Board prior to the final commitment date for
application to the league and has traditionally been held 2 weeks prior to the State Tournaments.
- Each team making application to participate in the BTHL agrees to participate in this tournament. Refusal to
participate may result in sanctions to be determined by the BTHL Board.
- The BTHL Board reserves the right to reclassify teams in the tournament as "A" or "AA" depending upon the
relative competitiveness of the divisions.
- Division seedings provided by the League will used for the play-offs. The League
will also provide the Tournament Rules.
- Changes, Cancellations and/or Postponements.
- The schedule (as agreed to at the Scheduling Meeting) is considered firm and may only be changed if both
teams are in agreement to the proposed change. Any changes must be acknowledged in writing to the BTHL
Scheduling Chair by representatives from both teams.
- In the event that a team postpones or cancels a game without the agreement of the opposing team, that
team will be responsible for the ice and referee cost of the rescheduled game.
- In the event that the game is not rescheduled, that team will be charged with a forfeit.
- Notes regarding weather related incidents:
- The BTHL encourages all teams to use common sense and consider the safety of all involved when it comes to
traveling in threatening weather. It is understood that the final decision to travel will be made by the
traveling team and that decision should not be questioned by the BTHL or opposing team.
- While attempting to reschedule, keep in mind that league games are a top priority and it is understood that
non-league games should be canceled or rescheduled if necessary. The burden to adjust an existing schedule
should fall initially on the canceling team, but the non-canceling team may also be required to adjust their
schedule if necessary.
- The consequences will essentially be the same as noted above in b) and c).
ie: If the game is eventually rescheduled, it will be at the cost of the canceling team. If the game
is not able to be rescheduled, the canceling team will be charged with a forfeit.
- If the teams involved are unable to agree on a modified schedule within 1 week of the originally scheduled
game then all pertinent information should be forwarded ASAP to the Scheduling Chair. With that information a
decision will be made as to which team will be charged with a forfeit.
- Scoresheet Procedure:
- Teams are to use current official USA Hockey scoresheets (or equivalent), provided by the home team.
- The team representative is responsible for ensuring that the scoresheet is properly filled out and distributed
to the required parties.
- The home team shall submit (mail) the scoresheet to the Chairperson of Scheduling within 72 hours of game
completion. The Scheduling Chair will distribute complete instructions prior to the beginning of the season.
- League Standings: Standings will be compiled by the BTHL Scheduling Chair
and distributed.
- Complaints/Protests.
- All game protests must be made in writing to the Conduct Committee within 72 hours of game completion.
- A $25 fee must accompany the protest. Should the protest be upheld the $25 fee will be refunded.
- Any violation of BTHL Rules and Regulations will result in the forfeiture of the game by the violating team.
- If the protest is for any reason other than a rules violation and is upheld, every effort should be made to
re-schedule the game in question. In the event the game cannot be re-scheduled, the ruling of the Conduct
Committee stands.
- Any party not satisfied with the Conduct Committee's decisions, may appeal in writing to the BTHL Board for
review.
- All hearings, whether conducted by the Conduct Committee or the BTHL Board, should be open to all parties
involved. The procedure for holding the hearing will be established by the Chairperson/President. All parties
will be notified in a timely manner. A hearing is not a BTHL Board meeting and thus the procedures for conducting
board meetings do not apply.
Posted: 07/03/2001