Snowbelt Jam
All rules established and published by USA Hockey and NYSAHA shall apply except as modified herein:
The constitution and by-laws established by the Snowbelt Hockey League Inc. shall apply.
The Zero Tolerance Policy will be in effect for all games in order to maintain the integrity and the intent of
USA Hockey. Any player, coach, parent or spectator who is removed for Zero Tolerance shall not return for the
remainder of the J.A.M. Tournament. The Zero Tolerance Policy is included at the end of this document.
A tournament Director shall be appointed at each tournament for each age division. The Director will ensure
that the Rules & Regulations set forth have been and are upheld. The Director will keep track and report to the
Snowbelt Scheduler each day game results and standings for the tournament; therefore, determining a winner.
All Coaches MUST sign in for their first game. Any coach who has not signed in will not be allowed on the bench.
Any coach who is not on the Snowbelt-authorized roster will not be allowed on the bench.
Teams must be prepared to take the ice at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled start of each game.
No players shall be on the bench unless they are in uniform. Only regulation equipment, as established and
published by USA Hockey, shall be worn for all games. Mouth guards shall be worn by 12U age players and older.
Only (4) coaches and (20) players listed on the 1-T roster will be allowed on the bench. NO PLAYER sitting due to
a Game Misconduct or Match Penalty is allowed on the bench. Injured Players must wear a uniform (jersey) &
helmet and be listed on the 1-T roster to be on the bench.
The format for the tournament shall be Round Robin Play. If five (5) or less teams exist, there shall be one (1)
division. If six (6) or more teams exist there shall be a minimum of two pools (divisions), with semifinal games to
determine the finalists.
Whenever possible, the listed Home team shall wear white or light jerseys. The listed Away team shall wear
black or dark colored jerseys.
Point Format
• All tournaments shall use the “Ten (10) Point System” during Round Robin Play. Ten (10) points are
awarded per game as follows: Four (4) points for a win, Two (2) points for a tie, and two (2) points for
each period won. One (1) point will be given for a period that ends in a tie. [This system is identical to
the traditional 5 Point System, but the values are doubled for compatibility with the electronic scoring
system.]
o If in a 6 team tournament the 3rd place team in a bracket has 2 or more wins in J.A.M
tournament play, AND the 2nd place team of the other bracket has 1 or fewer wins in J.A.M.
tournament play, AND the 3rd place team won the head-to-head game against the 2nd place
team; then the 3rd place team shall take the place of the 2nd place team of the other bracket in
the Semi-final games.
• Each team may earn 1 Fair Play Point per game if their Penalties in Minutes (PIM) are equal to or below
the numbers listed below. The fair play points will be used as a tie breaker.
• A team will not be awarded a Fair Play Point in a game where a player receives a Game Misconduct or
Match Penalty regardless of the team’s PIM.
• Any team that forfeits a game during tournament play shall forfeit any remaining games scheduled for
the tournament.
• Any teams receiving a bye can only receive a maximum of eight (8) points. Bye games shall be
considered a forfeit for determining points earned.
Round Robin Tie Breaker
Only games played will be used in determining tie breakers. Ties shall be broken as follows:
1. Head to head tournament play between tied teams. (If three (3) or more teams are tied and all tied
teams have played each other in tournament play, each team's record against all tied opponents will be
used.)
2. Fair play points earned during J.A.M. tournament play
3. Goal Differential: Total goals scored minus goals allowed in round robin games. (A maximum of six (6)
goals shall be awarded per game.)
4. Fewest penalties (minor & major only) in J.A.M. tournament play
5. Fewest goals allowed overall in J.A.M. tournament play
6. Season standings – highest seed continues
7. Coin Toss
Game Play
All games shall be played according to the Snowbelt League By-Laws 8.01 and 9.01.
Games shall be three (3) periods in length, using the following period & penalty lengths and Fair Play thresholds:
Level Period Length Minor Major Misconduct Fair Play Threshold
10U 12:00 1:00 3:00 6:00 3:30
12U 15:00 1:30 4:00 8:00 7:00
14U 16:00 1:30 4:00 8:00 8:00
18U 17:00 2:00 5:00 10:00 15:00
The ice shall be resurfaced only prior to each game. For the championship game only, if time allows, the ice may
also be resurfaced after the second (2nd) period at the discretion of the host association.
NOTE: BY-LAW #6.04 WILL BE USED DURING ALL TOURNAMENT GAMES:
In accordance with the Snowbelt By-Law 6.04 all players shall receive equal ice time in each game (except
Goalkeepers, who may alternate games). Each Association shall monitor and enforce this regulation with its own
team. Any team that violates this rule will be subject to removal from tournament play.
Any player that receives a Game Misconduct penalty for Rules 601(a), 601(d)(1), 601(d)(2), or 601(e)(4) (ABUSE
OF OFFICIALS), Rule 615 (FIGHTING), or Rule 629 (LEAVING THE BENCH) will result in that player being ejected
for the remainder of the tournament. Any coach or player receiving two (2) Game Misconducts during the
tournament is ejected for the remainder of the tournament. Any coach or player receiving a Match Penalty is
ejected for the remainder of the tournament.
Time Outs
Each team will only be allowed one (1) time out per game.
Mercy Rule
A mercy rule will be in effect for all games, except Semi-final and Championship games. If six (6) or more goals
separate the teams at the end of the second period or at any time during the third period, running time will
commence for the remainder of the game. Should the trailing team come within three (3) goals, stop time will
resume.
Overtime
If needed, a single 5v5 overtime will be played in Semi-final and Championship games only. When overtime is
played, it is “Sudden Death” (the team scoring the first goal wins and the game is over). Overtime periods are 5
minutes for 10U and 7 minutes 30 seconds for 12U, 14U, and 18U.
Shootout
• Prior to each Semi-final and Championship game the coach must supply, to the tournament director or
referee, the list of players for the potential first and second rounds of shoot-out (five players per round).
o If a player on the list is injured during the game, the team shall replace the shooter.
o Any player whose penalty time (or misconduct) has not expired at the end of the overtime
period(s) is ineligible to participate in the shoot-out and must be replaced.
• Each shootout round will be five (5) shooters per team. If after the first round there is a tie, a second
round of five (5) shooters per team shall be used. If after two rounds there is still a tie, then additional
rounds of (5) shooters shall be used until the tie is broken.
• A team cannot reuse a shooter until either team uses every player on the bench. After either team
depletes the bench, both teams can reuse shooters.
Officials
The host association will be responsible for scheduling officials who are qualified for each level and USA Hockey
certified.
The decision of the referees shall be FINAL! No protest will be accepted against the officials’ decision.
Off-Ice Officials
• The host association shall provide a time keeper for each game.
• If the host association cannot provide a scorekeeper, the designated “home” team shall provide one.
• If the host association cannot provide penalty box operators, each team will be responsible for supplying
a penalty box operator for their team’s penalty box.
Spectators
Noisemaker Policy
Spectators are not permitted to use artificial noisemakers including but not limited to air horns, cowbells,
vuvuzelas, or electronic amplifiers within the rink area before, during, or after League games.
Zero Tolerance Policy
USA Hockey is committed to creating a safe and fair environment for all participants. Respect for the game, the
opponents, coaches and officials is a critical part of the environment that is created. This Zero Tolerance Policy
summarizes required actions to be taken when violations occur.
All players, coaches, officials, team officials and administrators and parents/spectators are required to
maintain a sportsmanlike and educational atmosphere before, during and after all USA Hockey- sanctioned
games. Thus, the following points of emphasis must be implemented by all USA Hockey participants and
spectators.
Any player, coach, parent or spectator who is removed for Zero Tolerance shall not return for the remainder
of the J.A.M. Tournament. Should a violator return, the Home Organization will be informed and the
Snowbelt Board shall impose further action after a review.
Parents/Spectators
Parents are expected to be a positive role model by treating all players, coaches, officials and fellow
spectators with respect and support.
The game will be stopped by game officials when parents/ spectators displaying inappropriate and disruptive
behavior interfere with other spectators or the game. The game officials will identify violators to the coaches for
the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the spectator’s viewing and game area. Once removed, play
will resume. Lost time will not be replaced and violators may be subject to further disciplinary action by the local
governing body. This inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall include:
1) Use of obscene, profane or abusive language to anyone at any time.
2) Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of
physical violence or physical violence.
3) Throwing of any object in the spectators viewing area, players bench, penalty box or on ice surface,
directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.
USA Hockey strongly recommends that each local youth hockey registered team designate a volunteer to serve
as a parent/spectator monitor during all team games. This monitor will, ideally, address inappropriate spectator
behavior prior to the situation escalating to the point it has an impact on the game. This designated monitor
shall have the full support of the youth hockey association and the arena management to remove any spectator
in violation of the Zero Tolerance Policy.
Players
A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (zero tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a player:
1. Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official.
2. Uses obscene, profane or abusive language to anyone at any time.
3. Visually displays any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision including standing on the boards or
standing in the bench doorway with the intent of inciting the officials, players or spectators.
Any time that a player persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a misconduct penalty. A game
misconduct shall result if the player continues such action.
Coaches
A minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (zero tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a coach:
1. Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official.
2. Uses obscene, profane or abusive language to anyone at any time.
3. Visually displays any sign of dissatisfaction with an official’s decision including standing on the boards or
standing in the bench doorway with the intent of inciting the officials, players or spectators.
Any time that a coach persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty.
In addition, any player/coach who uses language that is hateful or discriminatory in nature anywhere in the rink
before, during or after the game shall be penalized under Rule 601(e.3) resulting in a match penalty. Such
behavior is reprehensible and has absolutely no place in our game. The offender shall be immediately
suspended until a hearing is conducted by the governing USA Hockey Affiliate.
Officials
Officials are required to conduct themselves in a businesslike, sportsmanlike, impartial and constructive manner
at all times. The actions of an official must be above reproach. Actions such as “baiting” or inciting players or
coaches are strictly prohibited.
Officials are strongly encouraged to introduce themselves to the coaches prior to the game to establish a basis
of mutual respect and to facilitate/define in-game communication.
Officials are ambassadors of the game and must always conduct themselves with this responsibility in mind.
Snowbelt Jam 2026
Three Rivers Athletic Complex is hosting 2026 10U Snowbelt Jams!
Schedule & Results