Rulebook
- Table of Contents -
- YOU MUST DRINK AT LEAST 3 BEERS BEFORE PLAYING OR ELSE YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE A FF
- Section 1: General Code of Conduct
- Section 2: League Structure
- 2.1: Leagues
- 2.2: Seasons
- 2.3: Team
- 2.4: Player Assignments
- 2.5: Games
- 2.6: Reschedules
- 2.7: Weekly Limits
- 2.8: Playoff Procedures
- 2.9: ECU Usage
- Section 3: Transactions
- 3.1: Trades
- 3.2: Free Agency
- 3.3: Prospect Acquisition
- Section 4: In-Game Rules
- 4.1: Diving for the Puck
- 4.2: Self-Board Play
- 4.3: Ragging the Puck
- 4.4: Goaltender Interference
- 4.5: Glitches
- 4.6: In-Game Taunting
- 4.7: In-Game Loop
- 4.8: CPU Player Stats
- 4.9: Resolving Broken Rules Durning a Game
- 4.9a: Procedures
- 4.9b: Goals
- 4.9c: Penalties
- 4.9d: Possession
- 4.10: Adjusting Stats After an In-Game Infraction
- 4.10a: Goal Incident
- 4.10b: Penalty Incident
- 4.10c: Possession Incident
- Section 5: Disconnects/Lag Outs
- 5.1: Skaters Disconnections
- 5.2: Goalie Disconnections
- Section 6: Player Rules
- 6.1: Expectations
- 6.2: No-Shows
- 6.3: Maintaining a PSN Plus Account
- 6.4: Demanding/Brokering a Trade
- 6.5: Quitting the Team or League
- 6.6: Ineligible Player
- 6.7: In-Game Communication
- 6.8: Website & App Etiquette
- 6.9: Second Tag Issues
- 6.10: Manager Expectations
- 6.11: Disclosure of Private Information
- 6.12: Player Rights Violation
- 6.13: Player Tampering
- 6.14: In-Game Stats Requirements
- 6.15: Violation Consequences
- Section 1: General Code of Conduct
- The BLVH does not discriminate against any gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, or creed. All members are to treat each other with respect and conduct themselves in a proper manner.
- Section 2: League Structure
- 2.1: Leagues
- NHL 6s
- Others that may be built as needed:
- NHL 3s
- AHL 6s
- Others
- 2.2: Seasons
- NHL will have 3 Seasons per year: Winter, Summer & Fall
- Each Fall we will upgrade to the newest version of EA Sports NHL
- Season will consist of 72 games, played 9 games per week over the course of 8 weeks
- Games will be played Thursday – Saturday
- Game times are 8pm, 9pm & 10pm
- Seasons will conclude with playoffs to determine the Season Champion
- 2.3: Teams
- NHL - 32 Teams
- Each team will start a $45Mil salary cap, (Salary cap may be adjusted before each season)
- Legal rosters will be 12 players
- The team owner and the GM does not count towards the salary cap. The AGM is picked after bidding and does include the salary of their winning bid
- The Owner, GM, and AGM are not allowed to be traded. They must stay on their respective teams for the entirety of the season.
- Teams must maintain a legal roster size, teams in violation will be fined $250k of their salary cap per day until their roster is legal, in addition, they will forfeit each game for which the team is over the 45 million dollar salary cap.
- Each season, teams may choose to protect up to 10 players. Player salaries will be recalculated each season based on previous season's performance.
- 2.4: Player Assignments
- All players must register for each new season.
- Player maybe added to a team through Free Agency at the current performance-based salary.
- Players must play 10 games in the previous season to become qualified for free agency.
- Any player not on a roster will be auto-assigned to a random.
- 2.5: Games
- All games must be recorded by a member of each team with scoreboard visible.
- Games are to be played at their scheduled times.
- A 15-minute grace period may be granted for circumstances preventing an entire team from playing at the start time.
- The need for grace time must be communicated to the other team prior to the scheduled game time.
- If no communication is made prior to the scheduled game time, the other team can claim a forfeit win after completing one full search (5 min), while streaming.
- All players will have 2 positions they can play. A primary and secondary. If this rule is broken it is counted as a violation against our rules if recorded or proven by an owner or admin.
- 2.6: Reschedules
- In the event of an emergency, a team may request a game to be rescheduled.
- Each team will have 5 reschedules available per season
- The requesting team will be charged 1 of their 5 reschedules
- Both teams must agree on a date and time and notify one of the commissioners via Discord.
- All game time rules applied to the agreed-upon rescheduled date and time.
- Rescheduled games must take place by the following Thursday, except for Week 8 when it must take place no later than that Thursday.
- 2.7: Weekly Limits
- Players are limited to five games per week. Goaltenders can play all 9 games, but only in dire emergencies. Each player and goaltender must complete at least 4 games a week, unless they cannot do so. One line must have 5 games a week, and the other line must have 4 games a week unless a player cannot make it then you can accommodate that by giving another player 1 more game.
- 2.8: Playoff Procedures
- Each season will culminate in a league playoffs
- Playoff qualification and seeding will mirror that of the professional league by which we represent.
- NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs
- 16 teams will qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The format is a set bracket that is largely division-based with wild cards. The top three teams in each division will make up the first 12 teams in the playoffs. The remaining four spots will be filled by the next two highest-placed finishers in each conference, based on regular-season record and regardless of division. It is possible for one division in each conference to send five teams to the postseason while the other sends just three. In the First Round, the division winner with the best record in each conference will be matched against the wild-card team with the lesser record; the wild card team with the better record will play the other division winner. The teams finishing second and third in each division will meet in the First Round within the bracket headed by their respective division winners. First-round winners within each bracket play one another in the Second Round to determine the four participants in the Conference Finals. Home-ice advantage through the first two rounds goes to the team that placed higher in the regular-season standings. In the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final, home-ice advantage goes to the team that had the better regular-season record -- regardless of the teams' final standing in their respective divisions.
- If two or more clubs are tied in points during the regular season, the standing of the clubs is determined in the following order:
- The fewer number of games played
- The greater number of games won.
- The greater number of points earned in games between the tied clubs.
- If more than two clubs are tied, the higher percentage of available points earned in games among those clubs.
- The greater differential between goals for and against for the entire regular season.
- 2.9 ECU Usage:
- This season, ECU's will be allowed for games should they be needed. They must follow by these rules:
- 1) An Ecu must agree to play for the specific team they are playing with and a screenshot of the agreement posted into the ECU discord channel.
- 2) The same ECU player CANNOT be used more then twice in a week.
- 3) Owners have 24 hours to submit the agreement for that ECU
- Section 3: Transactions
- Types of transactions
- Trades
- Release Player
- Prospect Acquisition
- Transactions can only take place on transaction days
- Sunday noon – 8pm EST
- Monday noon – 8pm EST
- Wednesday noon - 8pm EST
- Tuesday noon – 8pm EST
- Any acquired assets remain with the team, in the event the owner moves to another team.
- 3.1: Trades
- Teams may agree to trade players at anytime.
- Trade requests must be put through the Management Area( Under the heading of Trades) on the respected trade allowed dates.
- Only one owner will need to submit the trade request via Helixtex or a BOG.
- All traded players must report to their new respective teams within 72 hours or owners can put in request for player compensation and the player that that failed to report will be given a suspension.
- All players must play a minimum of 2 games to be eligible for a trade.
- For the first season only, trades will not be allowed until after the draft.
- Trade deadline is Thursday 8pm EST following Week 6.
- Do not notify any players at any time regarding the trade.
- Once approved BLVH officials will move the traded players to the appropriate team roster and chat.
- 3.2: Free Agency
- There will be opportunities to sign players as Free Agents, their salary will either be past BLVH performance-based or bid-value based (if that applies).
- Free Agency allows players to sign with any team they wish who makes them an offer. Players may reject offers as well as cancel an agreed offer as long as it is during an open Free Agency period. Players leaving a team otherwise will be subject to league sanctions.
- If a player signs with one team, then changes their mind the player should contact the original team as a courtesy. But in the event a player agrees to play for multiple teams and both teams submit the Free Agent signing of said player; a league Admin will contact the player to find out which team they want to join.
- Players found to be abusing this rule may be subject to league sanctions.
- 3.3: Prospect Acquisition
- Prospects will be eligible to be drafted after completing their registration.
- Owners will be allowed to draft each prospect in their respective draft picks.
- If a prospect is not drafted, they will be auto-assigned to a team.
- Section 4: In-Game Rules
- This section outlines both the gameplay rules and the procedures involved in resolving broken rules both during and after games.
- DO NOT LEAVE A GAME IN THE EVENT OF AN IN-GAME INFRACTION.
- The teams shall play the game to completion and submit video of any in-game infraction that was not handled in-game to League Officials.
- The League will not take action on in-game infractions that do not directly influence the game’s outcome, as they are incidental.
- 4.1: Diving for The Puck
- Players may only remain in the dive position for a duration of 10 seconds based on the game clock, regardless of their location on the ice.
- 4.2: Self-board Play
- Self-board play is ONLY legal in two situations:
- A Player may pin himself/herself behind the goal line in the defensive zone.
- A Player may pin himself/herself behind the goal line in the offensive zone IF AND ONLY IF they are the first to the puck in a footrace off of a dump from outside the zone (this includes hard around passes).
- 4.3 : Ragging the Puck
- A Player or team may not attempt to hold the puck in their defensive zone for >15 seconds (game time) in order to kill time off the clock for any reason. Teams may reset a breakout by moving the puck backwards; however, a true effort to breakout must be apparent.
- 4.4: Goaltender Interference
- A goaltender may not leave crease to intentionally impede a player's progress or draw an interference call. There are no restrictions on a goaltender's movements in relation to keeping the puck out of the net or coming out of the net to attempt to play the puck.
- 4.5: Glitches
- The League prohibits the use of exploits, cheats, mods or any other form of tampering with the game or its intended game play. Players must submit proof of these exploits to League Staff as quickly as possible to be able to better identify issues. The League may create an appropriate rule for the identified glitch.
- 4.6: In-game taunting
- BLVH prohibits excessive in-game taunting. This includes, but not limited to, excessive actions of the following: spamming the pull goalie feature, laying on the ice and swinging the stick, or taking a knee and swinging the defensive stick. This demonstrates poor sportsmanship and is a direct violation of the code of conduct.
- 4.7: In Game Loop
- If at any time during a game, a loop occurs, both teams are to continue to play the game as normal. If a loop eliminates a goal scored, the team who scored may request the goal count at the game's conclusion. Team management must file a grievance with Admins that provides enough evidence that a game loop erased a goal.
- 4.8: CPU Player Stats
- CPU Player goals count.
- 4.9: Resolving Broken Rules During a Game
- 4.9a: Procedures
- Accidental issues can occur during a game and the League allows for restitution, upholding the quality of the game. Restitution comes in several forms. Immediate restitution may result in no further actions from the league on that player/team; however, all incidents can be brought to the Admins’s attention and repeat offenders may receive further actions.
- 4.9b: Goals
- When a goal is scored as the result of an infraction, the team scoring the goal has the option of returning that goal.
- Allow the other team possession of the puck
- skaters move to the side boards, so as not to impede the other team
- goaltender skate behind his net.
- This makes it quick and apparent to the other team that you are returning a goal to them.
- Neither the goal scored due to the infraction, nor the goal scored in restitution, are included in the stats for that game or the individual stats for the Players.
- In situations where a goal loop occurs, the team who was scored on may also allow the scoring team the opportunity to score the goal and then continue the game.
- 4.9c: Penalties
- When a penalty occurs as the result of an infraction, the team receiving the power play has the option of taking a penalty to return that power play.
- Determine the position of the penalized Player.
- The penalized player must immediately take the puck into his/her own zone and dump the puck over the glass. Once the penalty occurs, the return is complete and play resumes as normal.
- There are no additional considerations for a difference on the clock between the two penalties, or the resulting 4 on 4 situation.
- If multiple penalties apply, multiple returns may be offered.
- If there is an occurrence that becomes too complicated for returns, either due to a multitude of infractions, penalties, or a major penalty, the game is completed as normal and a review may be requested via the Action Center.
- 4.9d: Possession
- When an infraction occurs that only includes a loss of possession, a return of possession can be made by giving possession of the puck to the other team and having all of your skaters touch your blue line.
- If you are unable to return possession, you may offer restitution the next time you do have possession of the puck. The main objective is to ensure that it is obvious to the other team, by your actions on the ice, that you are offering a return. Your goal in this situation is to avoid the filing of a grievance.
- 4.10 Adjusting Stats After an In-Game Infraction
- 4.10a: Goal Incident
- Head of Stats will remove that goal that resulted from an infraction from the result of the game. Teams will schedule overtime if this action results in a tie game.
- 4.10b: Penalty Incident
- The Head of Disciplinary has the right to institute a game suspension for a proven penalty discrepancy. The league considers replays in cases with multiple penalty discrepancies, or the games decided by one goal. Otherwise, standard penalties will apply.
- 4.10c: Possession Incident
- The only time a replay will be instituted for a possession-related incident is when there is sufficient evidence that either one team was ragging the puck to preserve a one goal lead, or the illegal method of obtaining possession directly impacted the deciding goal of a one goal game. Otherwise, standard penalties will apply.
- Section 5: Disconnects/Lag Outs
- Rule of Thumb: Do not leave the game unless it is less than 2 minutes into the period (18:00+ is on the game clock)
- 5.1: Skaters
- Prior to the 2-minute mark with no score
- Restart the game.
- The disconnecting team will take the penalty.
- Prior to the 2-minute mark with a goal scored
- Quit
- Take screenshots
- Restart the game
- The disconnecting team will take the penalty.
- After the first 2 minutes of a period
- Finish the period
- Take screenshots
- Exit during the next intermission.
- Start a new game and play will resume with the first period acting as the upcoming period. The disconnecting team will take the penalty.
- The team with the disconnected player is responsible for exiting the game promptly.
- The disconnected player is responsible for immediately taking a penalty at the start of the new game – not to exceed one minute of game time.
- Exceeding one minute of game time to take a penalty will incur an additional penalty from that team.
- If the team is on the power play at the end of a period and they have a player lag out, then take no delay of game penalty and play will resume as a 5v5.
- A team may replace a player after they disconnect; however, the replacement MUST play the same position as the player they are replacing. They must also be an eligible player.
- Any team disconnecting three times will forfeit. Teams must take screenshots to award players their stats. The score will be 1-0.
- 5.2: Goalie Disconnections
- If a goalie disconnects both teams will:
- Take screenshots
- Take note of the time on the game clock
- Exit the game
- When the restart begins
- Run the game clock down to the time of the disconnect
- Any skater must incur a penalty
- Game continues as normal
- Section 6: Player Rules
- 6.1 : Expectations
- Player are to ensure they understand that their role is to be an active team member who shows up to their scheduled games.
- Players are to ensure they understand the rules and restrictions that apply for game night.
- Players are to ensure they understand the roster restrictions and rules that apply to them during the season.
- Players are to ensure they understand the in game, out of game, and conduct rules and restrictions that apply to them.
- Players must know their role is that of a player, not a manager; therefore, any privileged information a player may have heard shall remain private. Players are NOT managers and may NOT partake in management duties such as trading, etc. Failure to comply with this rule will lead to a warning and potentially a suspension.
- 6.2: No-Shows
- Players are no-shows only if they previously confirmed their availability with management and did not show up or communicate their absence to the management prior to game time.
- Management is responsible for handling these situations internally; however, they may pursue league punishment for repeat offenders.
- 6.3: Maintaining an PSN Plus Account
- All members of the BLVH and its affiliated leagues must maintain an active PSN Profile.
- Consequence for non-compliance: Season ban
- Ensure that you (or team management) notify a league official if you need to change your PSN gamertag.
- 6.4: Demanding/Brokering a Trade
- Players may request a trade with their management; however, the management may refuse to broker the trade.
- The Player is not eligible to publicly notify the league they have formally requested a trade.
- The Player is not eligible to demand trades to specific team(s).
- In the event that players find themselves in a toxic situation, they should contact a BLvh Admin for review.
- Consequence for non-compliance: Situation will dictate
- 6.5: Quitting the Team or League
- Players stating they do not intend to play for their team or the league will be issued an automatic two season ban. Some situations can preclude players from quitting without receiving a ban, such as: work, personal emergencies, etc. Admins will review all situations.
- Consequence for non-compliance: Two Season ban
- If you decide to quit, please ensure that is 100% your intention. Once you state your quit, you will be ineligible to retract that statement. Your only option will be a League Ban Buyout.
- 6.6: Ineligible Player
- The definitions of ineligible players are, but not limited to:
- Playing while suspended or banned
- A Player not on your roster
- A Player who has exceeded the five-game weekly limit.
- Playing on a second tag or user account
- Playing on an account that is not their own
- Consequence for non-compliance:
- In situations where the ineligible player had an influence on a game’s outcome(win), the game reverts to a 1-0 forfeit loss. All stats are void from the game and management will face a 2nd degree penalty at minimum.
- Games results are honored if the invalid roster player had no influence on a game's outcome; however, the team's manager will receive a 1st degree penalty for each game involving the ineligible player.
- Players who understand this rule can help prevent their team forfeit games. Be aware of the restrictions that apply to your team.
- 6.7: In Game Communication
- Limit In game communication between teams to Management ONLY. Players are not to message other Players or Management from the opposing team before or during the game, or in between restarts. A team’s Management may communicate with any Player on the opposing team to resolve situations if all other efforts failed.
- Consequence for non-compliance: Situation dependent
- 6.8: Website Etiquette
- The BLVH encourages a fun, competitive, and inclusive league. As it is hockey, chirping is part of the sport; however, some considerations:
- No personal attacks.
- No threats of violence.
- No attacks on or insults regarding persons families.
- Posts must be BLVH related.
- Absolutely NO advertising leagues not affiliated with BLVH.
- 6.9: Second Tag Issues
- Members of the BLVH or affiliate leagues are only eligible to have one account that is being used in the League at any given time.
- Creating an additional account with the intentions of hiding one's identity, circumventing a ban, playing additional games, or any other activity deemed malicious and affects the League's integrity is prohibited.
- Sharing PlayStation Plus account information with the intention of; allowing a different player other than the account's owner to play, or another activity deemed malicious and affects the League's integrity is prohibited.
- In situations where a second tag or tag recovery maybe suspected the league reserves the right to share website IP addresses with EA sports for tracking purposes.
- Consequence for non-compliance:
- Additional accounts will be permanently banned from BLVH. Any member proven to have played on the additional accounts, created the accounts, or share their account information will receive a capital punishment.
- If you have information regarding a second tag, contact the League's Staff. You will remain anonymous.
- 6.10: Manager Expectations
- As a manager on BLVH you need to fully understand your role as well as your responsibilities to ensure the experience you have here is positive and enjoyable.
- Here are the expectations for Managers and Owners:
- Understand that their role is to be an active team member who shows up to their scheduled games.
- Understand the rules and restrictions that apply for game night.
- Understand the roster restrictions and rules that apply to them during the season.
- Understand the in game, out of game, and conduct rules and restrictions that apply to them.
- Managers and Owners are a direct representation of BLVH and held to the highest standard here in BLVH.
- 6.11: Disclosure of Private Information
- Owners/Management have access to information that players do not have. Do not leak or disclose this information in the public forums, Facebook Messenger chats, Discord, or PSN chat parties.
- Consequence for non-compliance: Situation will dictate outcome. Minor offences will result in a second-degree violation; serious offences will result in removal.
- Remember as a manager or owner you are in a leadership role. Do not discuss privileged information. If you have questions about if something is private, contact the League's Commissioner.
- 6.12: Player Rights Violation
- Owners/Managers have responsibilities to uphold to ensure the respectful and fair treatment of their players. Below are examples of Player Rights violations:
- Scheduling a Player when their availability shows they are not available.
- Making little to no attempt to schedule a player at least 2 games a week when they are available.
- Not treating the Player with respect in the locker room or in a PSN chat party. Player(s) must be able to prove they were not equally disrespectful during an altercation.
- Consequence for non-compliance: Situation will dictate the outcome. Warnings for minor issues, second degree violations issued for semi severe issues, and removal for serious issues. Season precedence will dictate punishment.
- 6.13: Player Tampering
- Player tampering is the act of any communication between a Team Owner/Manager and a Player (privately or publicly) under contract by another organization with:
- The intent to acquire the Player
- Informing the Player his or her organization currently has the Player on their trade block
- Recommending a Player uses his or her trade request to force their team’s hand in trading the Player
- Recommending to a Player they not try during games, throw games intentionally or refuse to play on his or her current team
- Recommending a Player give poor availability with the intentions of the Player’s current team moving the Player
- Giving information to a Team Owner/Manager to facilitate a trade
- Any other issue related to a Manager of an opposing team have a Player take an action to encourage his or her current team to move them in a transaction
- Consequence for non-compliance: One-week suspension from league play; but other factors may influence consequence.
- Common sense rule. This is for respect of the League's integrity and overall simulation environment.
- 6.14: In-Game Stats Requirements
- All games must be streamed and recordings saved.
- All game pictures are to be submitted to the BLVH PSN by the winning team
- Stats must be entered on the website and free of major errors by the both teams by midnight EST the next day.
- Failure to provide pictures to verify the game's score will result in the game being marked as a 1-0 game.
- Failure to provide pictures to verify the game's player stats will result in every player in the game not receiving any of his or her points.
- Consequence for non-compliance:
- Warning
- Minor Penalty
- One-game Suspension
- Management ban for remainder of season and following season
- 6.15: Violation Consequences
- Consequences are handed out at three different levels: Player, Manager and Owner. The type of violation and the role of the member will determine what punishment will be issued.
- All punishments are issued on based on the degree of the offense; however, repeat offense upgrade punishments to a higher degree. Each rule violation has a predetermined punishment associated with it.
- There are four degrees of punishment; first degree being the least serious, fourth being the most serious.
- The League also has the ability to issue a warning for certain violations that are deemed not deserving of a degree punishment.
- Probation can also be issued to Players, Owners and Managers as an alternative to a site ban or a season ban. Probation is issued at the discretion of the League’s Staff.
- All BLVH leagues are issue their own punishments within these parameters and not all suspensions carry over to all BLVH affiliated leagues. Capital violations automatically carry across all leagues.
- The degree of punishment is determined by the effect they have on the game, the league, or the playoffs.
- 1st degree: minor infractions that do not directly change the outcome of a game
- 2nd degree: infractions that directly influence the outcome of games
- 3rd degree: infractions like mild tampering or poor sportsmanship
- 4th degree: infractions that affect the integrity of the league
- The League issues lifetime bans for gross disregard of the code of conduct.
- Player Consequences
- 1st Degree: Minor Penalty to One Game Suspension
- 2nd Degree: One to Three Game Suspension
- 3rd Degree: One Week Suspension
- 4th Degree: Up to Two Season Ban
- Management Consequences
- 1st Degree: One Game Suspension
- 2nd Degree: One Week Suspension
- 3rd Degree: Removal from Management for One Season
- 4th Degree: Up to a 3rd round pick Forfeiture and One or Two Season Ban
- Owner Consequences
- 1st Degree: One Game to a Five Game Suspension
- 2nd Degree: One Week Suspension
- 3rd Degree: Up to a 2nd round pick Forfeiture and Removal from Ownership
- 4th Degree: 1st round pick Forfeiture and Up to Two Season Ban
- Time Frame for Serving A Punishment
- The League’s staff reviews grievances Sunday night after the completion of all the games for the set week. All suspensions issued from the League for the following week must be issued no later than Sunday at Noon Eastern Time, allowing Managers enough time to account for suspended Players. The degree of punishment will determine when the Player, Manager or Owner must serve their punishment.
- Players must serve minor penalty violations at the start of their first available game.
- Suspended player must serve suspensions their first game available the following week.
- Fourth Degree violations are effective immediately after the violator received notification of their removal.