DELAWARE VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE CODE OF CONDUCT

Re: League and Non-League Games

Introduction — Spectator Conduct

The Delaware Valley Hockey League (“DVHL”) was created to promote competition and good sportsmanship at the Youth Level for any and all children wanting to play the game of ice hockey. Discipline is meted out in accordance with all USA Hockey rules, and, in some cases, stronger rules in the DVHL.

Unfortunately, few rules relating to USA Hockey focus on parental/spectator/player conduct. Over the past few years, there have been ugly incidents involving parents, spectators, and players at hockey games in our area. Fortunately, most parents, players and spectators conduct themselves in an orderly, sportsmanlike manner during games, and are a true credit to the sport of your hockey. For all of you, take this letter as a form of support, and understand the DVHL is ready to address the issue, so you can enjoy yourself watching your child’s game.

For those parents, players and spectators falling into the small minority of troublemakers, take this letter very personally, and be prepared for a long year, or to put it more succinctly, a short year! Your actions will cost you financially, result in the suspension and/or expulsion from your organization and cost your child valuable ice time if so determined. The attached policy statement regarding this issue has been approved by the DVHL Board of Directors.

It is proof the DVHL will not tolerate any inappropriate conduct, lack of sportsmanship or good will that the game of ice hockey is supposed to promote. It will force each member organization to police its Organizations/club, and ensure the problems are addressed and corrected, either through suspension or expulsion from the organization. While the policy statement appears strong, we must all realize we are taking the game away from the kids, and we, the parents, are the only ones that can give it back!

Agreed upon by all member Organizations/clubs of the DVHL.

RULES FOR COACH/PARENT/PLAYER/SPECTATOR CONDUCT
DELAWARE VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE
LEAGUE AND NON-LEAGUE COMPETITION

All parents, players and spectators will conduct themselves in an orderly, sportsmanlike, and professional manner when attending a Delaware Valley Hockey League (DVHL) League or Non-League game. Any report of disorderly conduct in the rink, parking lot, etc., including, but not limited to the following will not be tolerated:

• Parents going on the ice.
• Parents going into the referees’ locker room or opposing team’s locker room.
• Physical abuse of referees, coaches, players, or rink employees.
• Verbal abuse of the above participants, to the point of obscene, racial, ethnic, or sexual slurs.
• Fighting among parents or spectators in the stands.
• Any problem with crowd control that results in the summoning of police.
• Any issues not covered above that result in loss of control by a parent, player, or spectator.

All reports given to the DVHL by referees, rink management or either of the participating organizations will be reviewed and if necessary, investigated by the DVHL as follows:

Upon notification, each member organization must investigate the alleged incident and send a written report to the President and Commissioner of the DVHL, outlining the incident, and action to be taken by each organization/club. Under no circumstances will either organization/club minimize the gravity of the incident. They will provide the facts as requested by the DVHL.

After review of the written reports, the Executive, Disciplinary Committees or Commissioner shall recommend the following:

Fines for one or both member organizations/parents, as indicated below:

• First Offense: $150.00 and/or non-monetary discipline as determined by the Commissioner(s)
• Second Offense: $300.00 and/or non-monetary discipline as determined by the Commissioner(s)
• Third Offense: $600.00 and/or non-monetary discipline as determined by the Commissioner(s) plus probation and suspension of League privileges, including playing of games and participation at District Tournaments as determined by the Executive Committee.

Suspension of parents, guardians, players, or spectators involved in two altercations. Parents, players, or spectators cannot attend any future games, League, or Non-League. The Organization/Club will ensure the suspension is enforced. The suspended party must then petition the DVHL, through their Organization/Club, in person, for reinstatement.

If a parent or guardian does not abide by the rulings, the Organization/Club will suspend the parent’s or guardian’s child from further participation until the parent or guardian does abide. Any suspended party reinstated after petition, involved in a third altercation will be suspended for the balance of the hockey season. The DVHL will recommend the party’s expulsion from the Organization/Club and will require a hearing before this party, or their child is registered with any Organization/Club in the DVHL. Referees are required by the DVHL, Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association USA Hockey to utilize Zero Tolerance standards when addressing spectators and issuing reports on same.

The Organization/Clubs in the DVHL are expected to monitor their teams, including their parents, spectators, and players. These rules, while harsh, are expected to weed out the problems in each organization, since these parents, players and spectators cannot control themselves, and will certainly test the system.

THESE RULES, ALONG WITH THE COVER MEMO MUST BE COVERED WITH EACH PARENT IN THE ORGANIZATION/CLUB. THEY CANNOT BE SURPRISED IF AND WHEN AN ISSUE ARISES.

Agreed upon by all member Organization/organization/clubs of the DVHL.

DELAWARE VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE CODE OF CONDUCT ACCEPTANCE FORM FOR 2024-2025 SEASON

By submitting this form, you are accepting the terms of the 2024-25 Season DVHL Code-Of-Conduct.