09/02/2026
DHL YOUTH NIAGARA CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 RULES
All DHL ball hockey rules are in effect; example, high stick (swing at the ball above your shoulder, with contact), delay of game (player shooting ball over High mesh, or goalie shooting ball directly out of play),
*There will be No Icings this year.
*Hand pass is good to the defensive zone red line
*All minor penalties are 1 minute, all major penalties are 3 minutes and ejection from game. Teams can go as low as 4 on 2 for penalties . *The Penalty will start when the ball is dropped.
*3 minor penalties will lead to ejection from game
*if a goalie shoots the ball directly out anywhere including the players bench it will be a minor penalty.
*Games are 1x22 minute Run time games
*Each team will have a minimum of 4 games
*Teams get one time out per game
* If the game is within 3 goals or less the clock will stop for the last 2 minutes of every game
U16 & u14
*Each team will have 4 round robin games. The top 4 teams advance to the playoffs. Points will determine seedings after that goals +/- will determine tie breakers
U12 and U10
*Each team will get 3 round robin games. The 4th game will be a playoff game for theses teams. seeding will be determined the by points . After that goals +/- will determine ties.
*To determine seeding, teams will get 2 points for a win. 1 point for a tie
*Team fee is $400 per team, that MUST be paid before game begins
*Teams are required to wear the same color shirts; please bring 2 colors
**NO PLAYERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO BE REPLACED, INCLUDING BECAUSE OF INJURY; no subs will be allowed; if goalie needs to be substituted a rostered player from your team must fill in. players must play one round robin game to be eligible for playoffs. U16/14 have 4 round robin games..U12/10 have 3 round robin games.
Max roster is 14. teams have the option to add extra players for $30 each. But those players must play a round robin game. players can only play on one team per age group. younger players can join older teams but older players can not play in the younger age groups. Players can play in there own age group plus an older age group to be clear.
Playoffs - if there is a tie in the semi finals. The game will go straight to a shootout . Best of 3 shooters.. After 3 shooters teams can re shoot the same shooter just not back to back
For finals it will be straight overtime.
How games are scored.
2 points for a win
1 point for a tie