Coaching and Playing in England

All foreign born, and all players who last played for a foreign club MUST contact Ice Hockey UK before they can be registered.

A player may be eligible, but may also require an ITC (International Transfer Card) the cost of which can be prohibitive.

Any queries contact Ice Hockey UK, or if the player has already identified a possible club, then this club can contact IHUK on the players behalf.

To start your search for a club visit our links page.

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Nearest Ice Rink

Please visit our Rinks Page

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When are the statistics updated ?

Statistics are updated as soon as they are received from the League statisticians. The frequency of updates is dependant on the relevant statistician, but it is hoped to have updates done at least monthly.

The statisticians jobs will be made much easier by ensuring that game sheets, shots on goal sheets, and team lists are provided on time. See this document for where to send the game sheets.

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When is the next coaching course?

Coaching courses are updated on the coaching programme website.

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How do I become a referee ?

Contact the Referee in Chief.

For upcoming courses, check here

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How much should referees be paid ?

See the following expenses sheet.

At each game, the on-ice officials should complete and sign a claim form.

In the case where the same officials complete multiple games, the expenses claim should be split evenly between the organising teams.

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How can I train to be an off-ice official ?

Attend an Off-Ice officials seminar. These are held all around the country mostly during the summer.

For upcoming courses, check here

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Where can I get a IIHF rule book ?

IIHF Rule books can be purchased from Ice Hockey UK at their Nottingham office. Contact them via their website

Or download them direct from the IIHF

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Where can I get a copy of the EIHA Rule Interpretation Bulletin ?

This year's bulletin is not yet available.

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What other levels of hockey are played in England / Wales ?

There are literally thousands of people playing ice hockey all over the country. All ages and abilities, both sexes and disabled people.

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What is the cut-off date for registering league players ?

Players can be registered to play in league games between 1st August and 31st January, Any player registered outside of this time frame will be ineligible to play in any league games during the season.

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What is the cost for registering players ?

The cost of registration changes from league to league, and also from year to year. For details at any particular time, contact the appropriate registration secretary (via your team secretary).

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What is the cut-off date for the various junior age groups ?

The date is 31st December, i.e. if you are under 12 on 31st December, then you can register as an under 12 player for that whole season.

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What are the rules on "playing up" ?

A player who is registered for one age group, may play in any higher age group, within the same club, if the coach sees fit, If a club has A and B teams at, say U14, then an U12 player for that club can play for both U14 A and U14 B teams. However, an U14A team cannot play for U14B (or vice versa).

A player can transfer between the two teams within a club at an age group - normal transfer regulations apply.

For Senior Leagues (men and women), the following rules apply;

• Players registered with the higher team (who are 21 or older) cannot play down for the lower team
  
• Players registered with the lower team can play for the higher team.
  
  • if under 21, there is no restriction on the number of times they can play
    
  • if over 21, the player can play up three times - if they play a fourth game they become a member of the higher team (and cannot play for the lower team again)
    

What Ice Hockey Publications exist for UK hockey ?

The top magazine for English ice hockey is POWERPLAY magazine.

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When and where is the next Ice Hockey School ?

Please refer to the coaching programme website.

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What are these Conference teams all about ?

Contact the appropriate Conference team manager. The information on who to contact can be obtained from your local team administrator.

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When is the ice hockey season ?

The registration season runs from 1st August until 31st July the next year.

The first league games are normally on the last weekend in August, with playoffs taking place in March/April and May (depending on the league).

Recreational hockey and challenge matches take place throughout the season.

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What constitutes a shot on goal ?

A Shot on goal is strictly defined as a shot which had it not been saved by the netminder would have gone into the goal.

Note: This means that a shot which hits the post, goes through the crease or is stopped by a defending player should not be counted as a shot on goal.

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Are bans always carried forward to the next season?

At the end of each season (on 31st July) the penalty points are reset to 0. However, any earned suspensions stay in place, and have to be served once the player is registered for the new season.

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Is the player only banned from games within the age group that he received the ban in, and if so - is he allowed to play up before his ban in his peer group is served?

Each suspension, unless specifically stated, applies only to the age group at which it was earned, therefore the player is allowed to play up. However, should the club wish to impose its own, additional, disciplinary action then the EIHA will support this stance.

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If he moves up to a new age group at the start of the season does the ban move with him up to the new age group?

Any suspension belongs to a player. Therefore if he changes age group (or team), then the suspension will follow him, and he has to serve the suspension before he can play again.

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Does the ban only apply to games, which are physically played i.e. if the other side can't play a game and it awarded 5-0 does that game count against the ban?

Only games that are actually played (ie the two teams start to play the game) count towards the ban. If a game starts, but is abandoned, then this also counts towards the ban.

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Does the ban apply to challenge games?

If the challenge match is arranged BEFORE the suspension is earned, then the challenge can count towards the suspension. If it is arranged AFTER the suspension is earned, then the game will NOT count towards the ban, however, the player is allowed to play in the challenge game.

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Do points picked up in challenge games count against players?

Any penalty points picked up in ANY games (this includes games played as league games, but later cancelled after a team withdraws from the league) count towards each player's season total

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If a player is suspended for a game that counts for double points, what happens?

Only a single game is physically played, therefore it only counts as ONE game of the suspension.

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What can we do if we disagree with a player's suspension?

The team should follow the appeal procedure, which can be viewed in the EIHA DIsciplinary procedures.