The Owen Sound Puffer Hockey League
This is your 2025 & 2026 Owen Sound Puffer Hockey League Executive
Ralph Harding - President
Bill Smith - President Elect
This is your 2025 & 2026 Owen Sound Puffer Hockey League Executive
Ralph Harding - President
Bill Smith - President Elect
Mark Ostland - Past President
Mel O'Neil - Treasurer
Mel O'Neil - Treasurer
This is the league's 43rd season of recreational hockey and we invite all players to continue to contribute towards the good nature play of our league, which is the cornerstone of our continued success.
The league was established in 1982 to promote Old Timer/Beer League Recreational Hockey, so players new and used, could once again have "fun in the spirit of competition".
If you believe rules are made to be broken then this is NOT the league for you!
We utilize referees to help make the game official - they are not there to break up fights or control tempers. We expect player's conduct and attitude to be self-policing.
A GOOD player's intentions must be evident by his actions both ON and OFF the ice.
Have Fun! Enjoy the Game! Enjoy the people who make up your team and the League!
The OSPHL is a member of the Canadian Adult Recreational Hockey League.
THE CONSTITUTION of THE OWEN SOUND PUFFER HOCKEY LEAGUE (revised 2025)
PART ONE : THE CONSTITUTION
Name
Name
The name of the organization shall be The Owen Sound Puffer Hockey League and known as the OSPHL.
Objectives
To promote organized Beer League hockey of a recreational nature in the city of Owen Sound.
Objectives
To promote organized Beer League hockey of a recreational nature in the city of Owen Sound.
To provide a venue where Beer League Players can have fun in the spirit of competition.
Executive Representation
The league will operate on the basis of "elected" representation consisting of executive officers and team representatives.
Executive Officers
President, president-elect and treasurer will be elected by the players. The treasurer's office will be a two year term. The election of a president-elect will be held each year. In the succeeding year, the president-elect shall serve as president.
Executive Representation
The league will operate on the basis of "elected" representation consisting of executive officers and team representatives.
Executive Officers
President, president-elect and treasurer will be elected by the players. The treasurer's office will be a two year term. The election of a president-elect will be held each year. In the succeeding year, the president-elect shall serve as president.
To be nominated as an officer of the OSPHL, the nominee must be an active player in the league for at least one year.
Duties of the Executive Officers
President - The President shall preside over all meetings of the league executive and general membership. He shall call one executive meeting at least once a month during the hockey playing season. The president shall not have a vote except in the case of breaking a tie. The president shall be a signing officer.
President-Elect - The President-Elect shall be prepared and able, in the absence of the president, to assume his responsibilities and duties. The president-elect is responsible for the liaison with the referee-in-chief to make sure that referees are assigned to all games.
The incumbent will record the minutes of all meetings. He has one vote except when presiding on behalf of the president.
The President-Elect shall be a signing officer.
Treasurer
Duties of the Executive Officers
President - The President shall preside over all meetings of the league executive and general membership. He shall call one executive meeting at least once a month during the hockey playing season. The president shall not have a vote except in the case of breaking a tie. The president shall be a signing officer.
President-Elect - The President-Elect shall be prepared and able, in the absence of the president, to assume his responsibilities and duties. The president-elect is responsible for the liaison with the referee-in-chief to make sure that referees are assigned to all games.
The incumbent will record the minutes of all meetings. He has one vote except when presiding on behalf of the president.
The President-Elect shall be a signing officer.
Treasurer
The treasurer shall keep an accurate account of all funds received and expenditures and disbursements for the review of the executive. He shall be prepared at all times to give an accurate financial statement at the request of the executive. He is required to provide a treasurer's statement at the league annual meeting. He shall be a signing officer for the league. He shall have one vote.
N.B. executive officers will be excluded from paying annual registration fees during their term of office.
N.B. executive officers will be excluded from paying annual registration fees during their term of office.
Team Representatives
In addition to the executive officers, the league executive will also have representation from each of the six teams. Each team will elect its team representative at the beginning of the season. The term of office will run for one year - until the end of the following season's draft is completed and the new team representative elected.
N.B. Team representative will be entitled to a credit of $25.00 towards the following year's registration provided their responsibilities are met in full. The entitlement of team representatives will be decided by the league executive during the last meeting of the season.
Duties of Team Representatives
He shall be the liason between his team players and the league executive. He will be required to attend scheduled meetings and all others called by the president. He shall be responsible to, and assist, executive officers in the delivery of their responsibilities.
Collectively, all team representatives will assist the president in the organization, administration and delivery of the annual league banquet. Player representatives must be active players who hold no other position with the league executive. Each shall have one vote.
Referee's and Officials
He shall be the liason between his team players and the league executive. He will be required to attend scheduled meetings and all others called by the president. He shall be responsible to, and assist, executive officers in the delivery of their responsibilities.
Collectively, all team representatives will assist the president in the organization, administration and delivery of the annual league banquet. Player representatives must be active players who hold no other position with the league executive. Each shall have one vote.
Referee's and Officials
The OSPHL contracts for its referees whose qualifications include being carded (minimum level 1).
The referees are assigned by the Referee-in-Chief of the refereeing association that is supplying the referees.
A timekeeper/recorder shall be assigned to each game.
Constitution Amendments and Meetings
Constitution Amendments and Meetings
To amend the constitution or operating procedures (league rules), a quorum of at least 2 voting officers and 4 team reps must be in attendance.
Amendments to the constitution and operating procedures must be passed by a two-thirds majority in the presence of a quorum or greater number.
At all team meetings when a motion is raised, a vote may be cast by those members of the executive who are present. The president may only vote in the event of a tie. A simple majority rule will pass all such motions.
Annual Meeting
If an annual meeting of all OSPHL players is required, it will be held during the Year End Banquet - added to the evening agenda.
PART TWO: OPERATING PROCEDURES
Agreements
i) This league shall keep the following agreements or contracts on file with copies to all parties;
a) ice agreements
b) sponsor agreements
c) referee agreements
ii) The content of the agreements shall be with clear approval of the executive and shall be signed by president and the treasurer.
Teams
i) Each team shall have a sponsor.
ii) Players shall be chosen by executive officers at the annual draft 2 weeks prior to the season.
iii) Each team will have 13 to 15 players each as determined by the league executive from time to time.
iv) Players must be 35 years of age by December 31 of the current season. If a cutoff number of players is required, preference for selection will be given to players who played the previous year in the OSPHL, then to players who have previously played in the OSPHL.
v) If an eligible goaltender cannot be found that is 35 years of age as of December 31 in any playing year, an underage goaltender will be selected by the league executive, who shall be at least age 30.
i) Each team shall have a sponsor.
ii) Players shall be chosen by executive officers at the annual draft 2 weeks prior to the season.
iii) Each team will have 13 to 15 players each as determined by the league executive from time to time.
iv) Players must be 35 years of age by December 31 of the current season. If a cutoff number of players is required, preference for selection will be given to players who played the previous year in the OSPHL, then to players who have previously played in the OSPHL.
v) If an eligible goaltender cannot be found that is 35 years of age as of December 31 in any playing year, an underage goaltender will be selected by the league executive, who shall be at least age 30.
Sponsorship
i) Each sponsor shall provide team socks and jerseys.
ii) Beginning in the second year of sponsorship, the sponsor shall pay the league an annual sponsorship fee which will be determined by the league executive.
iii) Sponsors shall be approached to sponsor a given team for a minimum of three years, and from year to year thereafter.
Player League Fees
i) League entry fees shall be determined by the executive and are subject to change by the executive if the need arises.
ii) All players must have their entry fee paid in full prior to the first game of the season or have made arrangements for payment satisfactory to the executive. NSF cheque charges shall be paid by the player.
Awards
Player League Fees
i) League entry fees shall be determined by the executive and are subject to change by the executive if the need arises.
ii) All players must have their entry fee paid in full prior to the first game of the season or have made arrangements for payment satisfactory to the executive. NSF cheque charges shall be paid by the player.
Awards
Trophies for teams winning the Championship Game and Consolation Game will be awarded at the Super Saturday Playoffs. The Beer Game is for bragging rights only.
Disciplinary Action
The league executive has the right to review a player's conduct from time to time and to act accordingly in the best interests of the league. Such right includes the discretion to suspend, temporarily or permanently, the playing privileges of a player.
This discretion shall be exercised under the following protocol:
a) a report is made to the league executive of behaviour which falls outside the acceptable conduct within the normal bounds of the league and requires review.
b) the review by the league executive shall be impartial in that no representative and other executive member of the player's team shall be a member of the review panel and such panel shall consist of at least three remaining members of the executive.
c) any player whose eligibility to play is put in question shall be informed by the league executive, in writing, of the time and place of the review and shall be afforded an opportunity to make representations at the review or to submit a written reply to the report made to the league prior to the review.
d) the league executive may require witnesses to provide evidence as it considers necessary to conduct a full investigation at the review. The player may question such witnesses at the review.
e) following the review, the review panel members shall meet in camera to consider the report, the written reply made by the player, if any, and the evidence and make a final decision regarding the suspension of the player.
PART THREE: LEAGUE RULES
a) a report is made to the league executive of behaviour which falls outside the acceptable conduct within the normal bounds of the league and requires review.
b) the review by the league executive shall be impartial in that no representative and other executive member of the player's team shall be a member of the review panel and such panel shall consist of at least three remaining members of the executive.
c) any player whose eligibility to play is put in question shall be informed by the league executive, in writing, of the time and place of the review and shall be afforded an opportunity to make representations at the review or to submit a written reply to the report made to the league prior to the review.
d) the league executive may require witnesses to provide evidence as it considers necessary to conduct a full investigation at the review. The player may question such witnesses at the review.
e) following the review, the review panel members shall meet in camera to consider the report, the written reply made by the player, if any, and the evidence and make a final decision regarding the suspension of the player.
PART THREE: LEAGUE RULES
Player Penalty
ALL minor penalties are 3 minutes long.
All major penalties are 10 minutes long.
1. The OSPHL will adhere to the rules governing play in the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association Rule Book except as expressly provided herein.
1. The OSPHL will adhere to the rules governing play in the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association Rule Book except as expressly provided herein.
2. All players must wear CMHA approved helmets. Facial and/or neck protection is not mandatory but strongly recommended.
3. Body contact, other than accidental body contact, is a penalty.
4. Slapshots are not permitted - either in an offensive or defensive capacity. If one occurs a minor penalty will be assigned.
3. Body contact, other than accidental body contact, is a penalty.
4. Slapshots are not permitted - either in an offensive or defensive capacity. If one occurs a minor penalty will be assigned.
5. Any major penalty such as fighting or intent to injure will result in a game misconduct and match penalty, with an automatic 5 game suspension. The league executive, exclusive of members of the teams involved, also will review the player's eligibility to play further. The player in question shall lose his player fee if suspended by the league for the season.
6. Any player who is assessed a third penalty during one game will result in suspension of the player for the remainder of that game.
7. If a player raises his stick to attempt, or make contact with the puck, at or above shoulder height, he will receive a minor penalty for high sticking.
8. If a player's stick is raised above shoulder height and comes into contact with a player, he will receive a double minor.
9. If a player's stick is raised above shoulder height and comes into contact with a player and draws blood, he will receive a major penalty.
10. Any 10 minute misconduct penalty will result in suspension for the remainder of the game plus an additional one game suspension. A second offense of this nature is a two game suspension, while a third will result in suspension for the remainder of the year.
6. Any player who is assessed a third penalty during one game will result in suspension of the player for the remainder of that game.
7. If a player raises his stick to attempt, or make contact with the puck, at or above shoulder height, he will receive a minor penalty for high sticking.
8. If a player's stick is raised above shoulder height and comes into contact with a player, he will receive a double minor.
9. If a player's stick is raised above shoulder height and comes into contact with a player and draws blood, he will receive a major penalty.
10. Any 10 minute misconduct penalty will result in suspension for the remainder of the game plus an additional one game suspension. A second offense of this nature is a two game suspension, while a third will result in suspension for the remainder of the year.
11. When a goalkeeper is assessed a major penalty, he will be assessed a minor penalty to be served by any player who was on the ice at the time of the infraction, plus a game misconduct.
12. No part of an opposing team player will be allowed in the goalie's semi-circle crease (Called blue ice or blue paint). If an infraction occurs, play will stop and a faceoff will take place outside the blueline. For third and subsequent infractions, a minor penalty will be assessed against the offending player. If an opposing team player deliberately positions himself in the crease to delay a game, a minor penalty for delay of the game shall be imposed.
13. Games will consist of one 45 minute period of straight time. There is no stop time - exception is for a player injury as deemed by the referee.
14. During the game, player changes can be made "on the fly" at any time.
15. If a team has less than 10 players for a game, the team can choose anybody who is a paid up member of the OSPHL to make up the shortage.
12. No part of an opposing team player will be allowed in the goalie's semi-circle crease (Called blue ice or blue paint). If an infraction occurs, play will stop and a faceoff will take place outside the blueline. For third and subsequent infractions, a minor penalty will be assessed against the offending player. If an opposing team player deliberately positions himself in the crease to delay a game, a minor penalty for delay of the game shall be imposed.
13. Games will consist of one 45 minute period of straight time. There is no stop time - exception is for a player injury as deemed by the referee.
14. During the game, player changes can be made "on the fly" at any time.
15. If a team has less than 10 players for a game, the team can choose anybody who is a paid up member of the OSPHL to make up the shortage.
PART FOUR - REGULAR SEASON/PLAYOFF FORMAT
1. All teams will play a twenty-five game schedule.
2. Playoffs will consist of round robin games included in the twenty-five game schedule at the end of the season.
3. No new players shall be added to the teams after the start of the final round of play prior to the playoffs.
4. All teams make the playoffs.
5. During the round robin, if teams are tied, the tie will be decided by the team's head to head records first and secondly the goals for and against differential.
5. During the round robin, if teams are tied, the tie will be decided by the team's head to head records first and secondly the goals for and against differential.
6. a) teams with the best record in the round robin, play one game to decide the league championship
b) third and fourth place teams play one game to decide the consolation championship.
c) fifth and sixth place teams play one game to decide "goodwill winners".
b) third and fourth place teams play one game to decide the consolation championship.
c) fifth and sixth place teams play one game to decide "goodwill winners".
