RULES AND PRINCIPLES
All participants shall adhere to the Rules and Principles of the IBOLD league
Purpose:
The IBOLD league was designed for mature and seasoned players to play competitive hockey with opponents of similar age and skill level. Camaraderie is emphasized over statistics. Our games should be fun. IBOLD welcomes older players. Verbal abuse toward players or officials will NOT BE TOLERATED.
The rules for IBOLD games shall substantially follow the rules for Allen Adult Hockey Leagues. The following are the only modifications from Allen Adult Hockey League rules.
Note:
The IBOLD League Coordinators (Jim Calcaterra and Thomas Young) will participate in or be present at most hockey events and will assist with implementation or clarification of these rules.
Modified Rules (v 06/21/2026):
Rules, Procedures and Guidelines — Any and all rules, procedures and guidelines in administering IBOLD are determined by the League Coordinators. Any interpretations shall be made at the sole discretion of the League Coordinators. All interpretations by the League Coordinators are final.
Gimmick Play prior to the Start of the Second Period — Immediately before the start of the 2nd period and prior to the center-ice faceoff, the period shall start with each team participating in a gimmick play. The gimmick play will be determined by the IBOLD league. Details of each type of gimmick play are available on the IBOLD website. Gimmick plays may include a goalie penalty shot, a skater penalty shot, a Score-O shot attempt from the far blue line, or other entertaining and unique event. Such gimmick plays are intended to make IBOLD games unique and entertaining. The outcome of the gimmick play will result in a goal awarded to the team that wins the gimmick play. No participants in the gimmick play will be attributed a goal toward the Gretzky three-goal limit, except for the skater that scores on a skater penalty shot.
Stoppages — Goalies are encouraged to always move the puck. There shall be no icing calls. Stoppages are expected for a penalty called, a goal scored, an offsides called, and the avoidance of potential injuries as determined at the referee’s discretion. The game clock will not stop for any goalie save unless determined at referee discretion for player safety.
Goalie Saves — In the event the goalie saves or freezes the puck, then a “short whistle” signals for a.) the attacking players to retreat to the dots in their offensive zone and b.) a defensive player to quickly play the puck from behind the endline (behind their net and extending to their corners). The opposing team need not vacate the zone but can pressure starting from the dots - and proceed lower once the defending team plays the puck from the endline. There shall be no stoppages or substitutions when the goalie freezes the puck. A player hindering play (such as an attacking player not retreating timely to the dots, a defensive player not timely playing the puck from the endline, or an attempted substitution prior to the puck being played from the endline) may result in assessment of a minor penalty. In summary, goalie that freezes the puck will immediately result in the puck moved to the endline for the goalie’s teammate to timely play the puck whereas the attacking team must retreat to the dots. It should be continuous play with no substitutions allowed during this reset. The goalie’s team will endure pressure to play the puck and to attempt to clear their zone. The game clock will not stop for goalie save. The “short whistle” is intended to notify the attacking team that they need to retreat to the faceoff dots.
Gretzky Rule — At all times, no player may score more than 3 goals. Any goal(s) scored by a player that already has been credited with 3 goals, then the goal scored is disallowed and the team is assessed a 2-minute penalty that the scoring player must serve.
Third Period Penalty Shot — At the start of the 3rd Period, each team shall attempt one penalty shot. All players are eligible (even players serving a penalty). The Opposing Team may select the other team’s shooter for this penalty shot. The Gretzky Rule applies to this penalty shot; that is, no player with 3 goals scored in the game’s first/second periods may partake in this penalty shot, and further, a player goal scored on this penalty shot shall count toward the Gretzky Rule total (for example, a player with 2 goals that then scores on this penalty shot is deemed to now have 3 goals and thereafter is not permitted to score according to the Gretzky Rule).
Third Period Goal Difference — At the start of the 3rd Period subsequent to the 3rd Period penalty shot, if the trailing team is down by 3+ goals at the start of the period, then the leading team shall start the 3rd Period assessed with a 2-minute penalty. A player selected by the trailing team shall serve this penalty. Any penalties from the end of the 2nd Period shall carry over. The minor penalty assessed to the player serving the 3-goal difference penalty does not count toward any ejections or misconduct such as three-penalty limit.
Player Safety — At any time, a Referee may stop the game at their discretion for player safety.
Overtime (no changes) – No changes from Allen Adult Hockey league rules. It shall be 3-on-3 with 5-minute run-time. Overtime games may result in a tie.
Sportsmanship – To foster a safe and welcoming environment designed for older participants, good sportsmanship is expected. Although hockey events may be competitive, all participants must demonstrate good sportsmanship.
Foundational Principles (v 06/21/2026):
All participants of IBOLD hockey events must adhere to the applicable rules and codes of conduct including those of the facility, rink, and other governing organizations such as USAH and TAHA. Additionally, all participants are subject to the following IBOLD guidelines that will be strictly enforced.
Our motto is that our league is NOASHL, and it is not an acronym for the National Organization of Adult Senior Hockey League. It means No Assholes.
Participant may pay a fee to join our organization or hockey league, however, payment does not entitle the participant to any hockey events. Instead, participation in IBOLD hockey events is determined solely at the discretion of the Executive Leadership of IBOLD. Executive Leadership may consult with its members in its determinations. There is no appeal process. There are no refunds.
Verbal abuse is not tolerated at our hockey events, including words and gestures directed at player participants and officials. At the sole discretion of the Executive Leadership of IBOLD, persons may be prohibited from IBOLD hockey events.
Excessive physical play including major and minor penalties for fighting, slashing, checking, boarding and other infractions are subject to IBOLD review. To protect player safety, to promote a safe game for older players, and to eliminate threats to our hockey events, the Executive Leadership of IBOLD in its sole discretion may prohibit persons from IBOLD hockey events.
At nearly all hockey events, IBOLD coordinators and/or IBOLD leadership will be present to observe the play and conduct. Participants should understand that Zero Tolerance will be enforced. Our hockey events provide participants with hockey and fellowship. Accordingly, our administration of the rule and principles is intended to promote safe events and pleasant social aspects. We recognize that NHL legends always remark that they miss the game but more importantly they miss the camaraderie of the locker room. To IBOLD, the locker room is more important than the scoreboard – and the camaraderie is more important than the statistics.
Sportsmanship – To foster a safe and welcoming environment designed for older participants, good sportsmanship is expected. Although hockey events may be competitive, all participants must demonstrate good sportsmanship.
Unless a player purchases the IBOLD jerseys and/or socks, then the IBOLD jerseys and/or socks remain the property of IBOLD even if the player paid an amount to use such jerseys and/or socks for the season. Any unreturned IBOLD jersey shall result in a $75 charge payable on demand by the participant to IBOLD and any unreturned IBOLD socks shall result in a $30 charge payable on demand by the participant to IBOLD.
Contact
iboldllc@duck.com
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