Introduction
RUPOHL exists to create an inclusive environment for adults to play hockey outdoors,
have fun, and do it safely. All players agree to follow this Rulebook.
RUPOHL values safety, inclusivity, and respect above all else.
Definitions
RUPOHL – Real Ultimate Power Outdoor Hockey League, LLC and its authorized staff
and agents.
Staff – RUPOHL personnel and rink personnel acting on behalf of RUPOHL.
Governance Panel – 3 members comprised of the Commissioner, Vice President, and a
rotating neutral, respected RUPOHL member in good league standing.
2025-2026 Divisions
South D, North D, North C
Total Game Time & Periods
All games will be restricted to 60 minutes. Games consist of two (2) 27-minute running
time periods. If the score differential is two (2) or less goals, the last two (2) minutes of
each game will be played with stop-time (i.e. the clock will stop when the Official blows
the whistle and start again when the puck is in play) and Icing (see Icing rule for details)
will be called. RUPOHL staff and Officials reserve the right to run the clock in order to
complete games as close to 60 minutes as possible and keep within set ice time
curfews.
Icing
There is no Icing in the RUPOHL, except in the following situations:
- Icing will be enforced if the score differential is two (2) or less goals during the last
two (2) minutes of each game. During this situation, games will be played with stop-time
(i.e. the clock will stop when the Official blows the whistle and start again when the puck
is in play). - At the discretion of the on-ice RUPOHL Official(s), Icing may be called at
any time during a game if any team or player is abusing the no Icing rule (e.g.
repetitively icing the puck on purpose to maintain a scoring lead).
Penalty Format
No penalty minutes will be served in the penalty box. All penalties will result in penalty
shots as detailed below. The player who takes the penalty shot(s) must have been on
the ice when the infraction took place:
- Minor infractions will have one (1) penalty shot.
- Double-Minor, Misconduct, Gross, Match or Major infractions will result in two (2)
penalty shots.
The shooter takes the puck at center ice. All other players line up on the blue line
behind them. The puck is live as soon as the shooter touches it. Players may not pass
the blue line until the shooter activates the puck at center ice.
Hat Trick Rule
No player may score more than 3 goals until/unless their team is down by one score.
Any goals scored by a player with 3 goals for the game will not count.
Equipment
Full equipment is required for all games. Full equipment includes a helmet, visor, elbow
pads, hockey pants, shin guards, skates, stick, socks, and jersey. Shoulder pads and
mouth guards are optional although recommended.
Jersey Requirement
Team players must carry both light and dark matching jerseys with a number. Each
player on any team must wear matching jerseys for the current season in order to play
in any game. The number on a player’s jersey must match their RUPOHL registration
jersey number (on their Team Roster). The RUPOHL reserves the right to request a
player provide a state issued photo ID at any time to confirm a player’s identity. If a
player cannot meet any of these jersey requirements they are considered an illegal
player and are subject to forfeit. If during a game, a player is determined to be an illegal
player by the Official or RUPOHL staff member, that player must leave the ice
immediately. The clock will continue to run if any ensuing objections disrupt the play. If
you forget both your ID and jersey, you will not be allowed to play. Breezers and socks
must be of good quality and be in good working condition. Breezers or socks that have
excessive wear or are torn so that the player wearing them puts themself or others at
risk of injury will be asked to leave the game and return only after the item(s) have been
repaired or replaced.
Minimum Number of Players or No Show (Subject to Forfeit )
To be counted as an officially scored league game, at the start of the game teams must
have at least six (6) rostered legal players ready to play on the ice. The clock will begin
running at the scheduled game start time. In the case of a late Goalie, RUPOHL
Officials may wait up to ten (10) minutes after the scheduled start time before calling a
game an official Forfeit. During that ten (10) minute time frame, the violating team may
play with a 6th player to cover the net. If ten (10) minutes after the scheduled game start
time expires without a Goalie showing up, the RUPOHL Official may call the game a
forfeit at their discretion. Those registered players present may use the ice for a
scrimmage within the scheduled game slot. The RUPOHL Official must remain on the
ice during the scheduled game time slot, regardless of whether of forfeit is called or not.
Non-RUPOHL registered players are not allowed on the ice for any reason, including
scrimmages. No suspended players or teams may play in a scrimmage. The game will
be counted as a game played and the final score will be recorded 1-0.
There are no refunds in the event of a forfeit.
Misconduct, Gross, Match or Major Penalties
If you are a fighter, you are not welcome in the RUPOHL. Safety is of extreme
importance. The RUPOHL does not tolerate fighting or any behavior that can result in
injury to another person(s). All Misconduct, Gross, Match or Major Penalties (e.g.
Punching, Fighting, Butt-ending, Kicking, etc.) will not be taken lightly and will invoke an
automatic one to three (1-3) game suspension plus ejection from that game. In the
event a team’s Goalie is involved in a fight, and if there is no second Goalie on the
bench, the captain will be ejected from that game and the Goalie will receive a one to
three (1-3) game suspension starting with the league next game. Whenever more than
one player from a team participates in a fight, all will be ejected immediately from that
game. After careful review by the RUPOHL, additional suspensions, and possible
league ejection without refund may also apply. The game will continue if there are
enough players, otherwise the team without enough players will forfeit and be subject to
any fines as described in this document. If both teams do not have enough players, then
both will forfeit and be subject to the forfeit rules described in this document. Any player
with two (2) Misconduct, Gross, Match or Major Penalty offenses will result in immediate
removal from the league with no refund or credit. No exceptions.
Illegal players
All players on the ice must be listed on a participating RUPOHL team roster. Goalies are
the only exception. If the game starts with illegal players and the league receives a
complaint from another team captain or league Official, and if the team is found by the
league to have violated this rule, it will be subject to forfeit. No Exceptions.
In summary, Illegal Players are defined as the following:
- Anyone under the age of 18.
- Players who have not signed a digital copy of the RUPOHL General Release and
Waiver of Liability. - Players who are not digitally signed in before the end of the game in which they are
playing. - Players who are not on the Team roster or on a roster of an equal or lower level team
(intraleague subs). E.g. a rostered D level player may sub on a C level team but a C
level player may not sub on a D level team. - Players without their own medical insurance. (USA Hockey Insurance does not
provide sufficient medical coverage). - Anyone who is aware of having a medical condition or injury, which by playing in a
game results in further injury to his/her condition. - Players who cannot show a valid Photo ID when requested by a RUPOHL staff
member or Official. - Anyone currently playing professional hockey.
- Any player who actively plays on any college team (NCAA).
- Players/Teams may not play below their appropriate skills division as deemed by
RUPOHL staff. The league reserves the right to move a player or full team if they are
found to be playing below or above their skill level. - No person can play on more than 2 teams (double roster) within a single division
with the exception of Goalies. - False Information: Any player found to have given the RUPOHL false information
such as, but not limited to the following: Forging another player’s name, wearing a
jersey/number other than your own rostered jersey/number, using a false name or
producing false identification, producing false medical insurance information, may be
suspended and/or banned from the RUPOHL indefinitely and games in which they
played will be subject to a forfeit as described in this document.
Abuse of Officials (Subject to Forfeit)
The RUPOHL will not tolerate abuse of any kind during, before, or after any game
towards any Official, scorekeeper, or attendant of any of our host rinks for any reason
whatsoever by any player, coach, assistant, or fan. Flagrant abuse will result in a
minimum of a two (2) game suspension. Decisions are made at the sole discretion of
the RUPOHL and officials. In addition, the violating team will be responsible for any
expenses incurred as a result of its member’s illegal actions and may be subject to a
forfeit. A second offense could result in an indefinite suspension from the league.
Ejection
Any player after being ejected from the ice, who incurs an additional penalty for abusing
the Officials or RUPOHL staff, further aggressive behavior or any other reason, will
receive an additional one (1) game suspension. When a player is ejected from a game
for any reason, that player must get dressed and leave the premises and the
surrounding area. Any player that does not willingly leave the building and surrounding
area will be escorted by the Police Department. Any player which does not follow this
rule after being ejected from a game will be ejected from the league indefinitely.
Dangerous and Violent Behavior
An Official may recommend to the RUPOHL scorekeeper that a game be stopped or
that the clock be run if he/she determines that by continuing the game, there is a risk of
bodily harm to person(s) on the ice, on the bench, and/or in the facility, regardless of
number of penalties. Before this happens a warning must be given to both team
captains. Those players guilty of the violent behavior will be suspended indefinitely from
the RUPOHL. If the game is stopped, the game will end in a forfeit for the violating team
and possibly for both teams if both teams share equally in the violence.
If play is interrupted due to a fight or a display of aggression by either team, the clock
will continue to run during the altercation and it will be stopped immediately after order
is restored.
Hate speech
RUPOHL is an inclusive league meaning we welcome individuals of all levels and from
all walks of life. Speech that is negatively directed at a protected group or individual will
not be tolerated. Bigoted, racist, sexist, derogatory, etc. comments towards other
players, officials, staff, or spectators will not be tolerated. At a minimum, any player
using such language will be given an immediate game ejection and one game
suspension.
Suspension
Any player or teams which violates their RUPOHL league suspension by playing or
attempting to play in any RUPOHL game will be ejected or suspended from the league
for the remainder of the season without monetary refund. In addition, the team for
which the violator is rostered on will forfeit the game.
Forfeits
If a team needs to forfeit due to an insufficient roster, lack of goalie, or other reasons,
rostered and eligible players may scrimmage during the allotted ice time. Refs must
remain on ice even in the event of a scrimmage.
Grievances
Should a player or team captain have an issue before, during, or after game play with
another player or team, the offense should be reported in writing (email:
j3nni4@gmail.com or president@rupohl.com ) or telephonically (708-421-9783) within
72 hours of the incident at hand. A panel comprised of the Commissioner, VP, and a
third neutral member in good standing with the RUPOHL will convene to decide what, if
any, action shall be taken. A 3-member panel will be utilized to ensure fairness and
avoid tie decisions.
Appeals
Should a captain disagree with punitive measures taken against a player or a team,
they may file an appeal by writing (email: j3nni4@gmail.com or president@rupohl.com )
or telephonically (708-421-9783) within 72 hours of the incident at hand. A panel
comprised of the Commissioner, VP, and a third neutral member in good standing with
the RUPOHL will convene. A 3-member panel will be utilized to ensure fairness and
avoid tie decisions. The decisions of the panel is final and cannot be appealed further.
Game Points
A win is recorded as 2 points, a tie is recorded as 1 point and a loss is recorded as zero
points. Regular season games that end in a tie will be recorded as a tie. Playoffs and
Championship games that end in a tie will implement a three person shoot out. If the
shoot out does not determine a winner, the shootout will continue until a winner is
determined based on NHL Shootout Rules.
Re-Scheduling, Make-up Games, and Game Alerts due to Weather
The RUPOHL is an outdoor league and weather is always a risk. The RUPOHL is not a
house league and is at the mercy of available ice time at its host rinks. There will be no
re-scheduling of games or make-up games by anyone other than RUPOHL staff. Any
make-up games due to poor weather are subject to be scheduled at any RUPOHL host
rink during weeknights and/or weekends. The RUPOHL will play in almost any weather
condition with the exception of weather deemed too dangerous for play or weather that
prevents game progress. Game cancellation decisions will be made at the full discretion
of the RUPOHL staff and/or present rink management and/or officials at its host rinks.
Game cancellation decisions may be decided by RUPOHL Officials in the event the ice
becomes deemed too dangerous for safe play. RUPOHL will notify team captains as
soon as a cancellation is known. Officials will notify RUPOHL immediately in the event
of a cancellation due to safety concerns.
Playoff Qualifications
Playoff qualifications for each division are as follows:
- All rostered team members must play in a minimum of four (4) regular season games
and must not be currently on suspension and must be in compliance with RUPOHL
Rules and Regulations. Teams or Individuals must have paid all outstanding fees and
fines in full. Players who decide not to sign-in for any games will not have their
attendance recorded for the game. - Players must digitally sign-in for all games in which they play. No exceptions.
- Playoff format and rules will be made available on our website at www.rupohl.com
prior to the start of the playoffs. - Teams with Illegal Players will be disqualified. No Exceptions.
Alcohol
No alcohol may be brought into the host rinks of the RUPOHL. Any alcohol brought into
the building or surrounding area owned by a RUPOHL host facility will be confiscated by
staff of the host facility and those found bringing alcohol onto the premises will be
ejected from the RUPOHL without a refund. Please inform your fans that this rule will be
strictly enforced.
Players and teams may be subject to suspension or ejection without refund if found to be intoxicated while playing. These are public park districts that will
not hesitate to pull our contract if we are found in violation of this rule.
Damage to Host Rink or Host Facility
All players of any team in the league are responsible for the cost of any damage to the
host facilities of any and all RUPOHL events and games incurred by any member of the
team or their fans. Payment for damages must be made prior to the team’s next game.
The team cannot play until payment is made. All scheduled games will be subject to
forfeit.
Team Names and Appearance
Team names, logos, and appearances must be professional and acceptable for league
play. Team’s name, logo(s) and jerseys may be deemed “unacceptable for league play”
if any part of its content or design infringes the rights of a third party, including, without
limitation, copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets, rights of privacy and publicity,
is libelous, defamatory or slanderous, condones, promotes, is sexually suggestive or
contains explicitly sexual content (including nudity), does or may denigrate or offend any
ethnic, racial, gender, religious or other protected group, through use of language,
images, stereotypical depiction or otherwise, is designed to or does harass, threaten,
defame or abuse others, exploits images or the likeness of minors, encourages or
depicts the use of drugs, alcohol or cigarettes or is generally offensive or in bad taste.
The league reserves the right to deem any team’s name or logo unacceptable for
league play. It is the responsibility of the captain of each team to make sure their team
meets these standards.
By writing my name below, I have read and understand the rules and regulations and
agree to adhere to them.