Derogatory terms targeting an individual — including but not limited to race, sexuality, disability or appearance — will not be tolerated. Any words, GIFs, photos or content related to such terms are strictly prohibited in both the main server and team servers.

Any photo posted of someone without their permission is an automatic chat ban for the rest of the season. A second occurrence carries a permanent ban.

Tagging @everyone is strictly disallowed. The use of @here along with group tags (position tags or team tags) is acceptable within normal hours — 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM EST.

• No spam or self-promotion without prior approval from a staff member.
• No sale or purchase of items within the server.
• No wagering of any form within the server.
• No NSFW content — text, images or links featuring nudity, sexual content, hard violence, or other graphically disturbing material.

League Management reserves the right to timeout or ban any participant for reasons deemed appropriate by the administration. All league management staff will review and discuss any videos that come in and make a final decision then; further punishment may follow a video review.

The court exists to address flaws within this rule book. As a growing league we know we are not perfect, nor is this document. The court addresses matters not covered by the rule book and provides an answer.

• Open a ticket requesting a court session and provide reasoning why it belongs in court (i.e. the rule book does not cover the situation).
• When in court, all parties must provide any and all documentation as evidence.
• All parties have an opportunity to state their case — only factual information may be given.
• Any banter, disrespect, or anything not relevant to the case will be dismissed and can lead to the case being dropped with disciplinary action.

All decisions come from the League Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and/or League President, and are final.

Tampering with player arrangements is strictly prohibited. As a draft-oriented organization, team assignments are not influenced by personal connections. Unless teams are jointly owned, players may not consistently find themselves on the same team as their friends season after season.

• Players reaching out to owners of another team asking to be traded or bid for.
• Players talking to their team owner asking to be traded to another team or be released.
• Using a friendship as leverage to get onto another team. We encourage a community environment and friends being made — but there is a difference between being friends with people and trading on it.

• Player loses 6 games from their season game cap.
• The manager the player contacted loses 6 games from their season game cap.
• Repeated offences result in removal from management and suspension for the rest of the season.
• If a trade request is in use and tampering occurs, the trade is reversed and the player's trade request is revoked.

If you suspect tampering, make a ticket in the Ticket Booth with screenshot proof for League Management to review. If it is determined that anyone is trying to exploit a loophole in the system or tamper in any way, they may not play until League Management has discussed the situation and provided an answer on how to proceed.

Players acknowledge on signup that they must commit a minimum availability of 2 of 6 games per week — one full night of game play. Players may provide less than the minimum as long as their owner acknowledges the absence.

Players who do not follow this rule are moved to the quit list for refusal to play. Anyone still on the quit list at the end of the season faces a 2 season ban.

Team Management must add players with less than 2 games per week availability to the Injury Reserve on the website, so League Management can follow up with Team Management — and possibly the player — to confirm.

Anyone who pulls their signup before the draft will not be allowed back that season.

ECU-only players are eligible to sign up. A player who signs up as ECU-only may change to Free Agent and be drafted only if the change is made before the opening draft. Otherwise they are ineligible to change — they cannot go from ECU-only to FA to be bid on in the weekly bids. ECU players should be used as a last resort; owners should use their roster and FA players first.

All players must verify before they are allowed to play, or it results in a forfeit loss for that game due to an invalid player being played.

To change your tag, go to the SBHL Hub channel in the main server, click Link My Sign Up, then Register for Season 17. From there you can change your tag and resubmit.

If you have questions about the process, make a ticket for staff to assist you.

• Players can only be played in the positions they signed up for — otherwise it causes a forfeit loss for the team.
• To avoid availability issues, Team Management may play any position.

Games are played at 8:00 PM and 8:40 PM EST on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Grudge Match must be turned off — you must reset if a game loads in with it on. Games may be rescheduled to accommodate major holidays.

• A team 5–9 minutes late — the on-time team is entitled to a penalty.
• A team 10 minutes or more late — the on-time team is entitled to a forfeit win.
• If the team owed a penalty, or the team owed a forfeit win, decides to play the game out anyway, that nullifies the forfeit win and the penalty.

The home team selects which server to play on. The options are North America East (NAE), North America North-East (NANE) and North America Central (NAC).

Home-team preferred server decisions are made at the start of the season and are available on the website as part of the schedule. Any change from your preferred choice must be posted to that channel by 7:00 PM EST on game night, to give the other team enough time to acknowledge the change.

Teams have the option to request an ECU. Should one be required, Team Management posts their need in the ECU-request channel in the Team Management server and tags all 3 staff members responsible for finding an ECU. One of the three confirms that an ECU is required, finds someone to fill the spot, and lets Team Management know.

ECU players cannot play for the same team multiple times in a row. If Toronto needs an ECU on multiple nights, they cannot use the same ECU player on Sunday and Tuesday — Tuesday requires a completely different player.

If you are using an ECU frequently, a staff member will require access to your team's server to see whether you are truly in need of an ECU or not.

Both teams are required to submit screenshots after each game. To ensure timely and accurate record-keeping, screenshots must be uploaded to the designated location by 12:00 PM EST the next day.

• 1st offence — 2 games removed from the season game cap.
• 2nd offence — 4 games removed from the season game cap.
• 3rd offence — 8 games removed from the season game cap and possible replacement.

The season game cap adjustment falls on the member of Team Management who plays that night. If no Team Management member is in that game, the punishment falls on the owner. If multiple members of Team Management are in the lineup, it falls on the higher-ranking member.

If you miss getting screenshots from the game menu, you may use one of the following to retrieve them, then submit them to avoid suspension:

• Chelhead
• Chelstats
• EASHL Pro Clubs Rankings

If you cannot access your club, create a new one or use a teammate's club for that night's games. Once done, submit a ticket with the new club name and a screenshot as proof. We also require your team ID so your stats can be added to your team through the API system.

All rule violations must be documented through video (game clip) containing indisputable evidence. Submit promptly through the ticket system. Violations not reported within 24 hours of the end of a game will not be reviewed, as delayed reports suggest the issue was not a genuine concern at the time. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of League Management for major rule violations.

Common rule breaks — not a comprehensive list — include bodyblocking, ragging, goalie interference or trapping, and any form of trolling the other team.

• 1st offence — 2 games
• 2nd offence — 4 games, and so on

In-game operator skins are not permitted during league games. Use of an operator skin results in a suspension — 2 games for a first offence, increasing by 2 games each offence thereafter.

Goalie interference is strictly prohibited. Goalies have the authority to play the puck, but any interference with an opposing player is not permitted.

Goalies are ineligible to be pulled if their team is in the lead at any point, unless there is a delayed penalty for the opposing team.

Anyone reported for or caught leaving a game early receives a 2 game suspension, increasing by 2 games each time it happens. This also applies to players who do not show up for their team without warning.

All players playing forward must use an offensive build; anyone playing defense must use a defensive build. Using a build not fit for the position being played costs the player 4 games (2 nights) from their season game cap.

All player info must be up to date so the stats team can enter it correctly. Invalid info can result in a suspension worth 4 games. Gamertag changes go through SBHL Hub → Link My Sign Up → Register for Season 17.

Puck ragging is strictly prohibited. There is a difference between resetting the play and puck ragging — ragging involves players playing keep-away and/or not keeping the play moving. Teams found puck ragging lose 4 games (2 nights) from their season game cap.

Any computer goals are disregarded from the final score, no matter the situation that caused the computer player to be on the ice.

All league staff will review and discuss any videos that come in and make a final decision. If you suspect a team is engaging in any of the above, video proof (game clip) is required with your ticket in the Ticket Booth.

All Goalie Traits are allowed. Every ban in this section applies to skaters only.

All Red Traits are banned.

The following are banned in both Blue and Gold:

• Big Rig
• Pressure+
• Spark Plug
• Truculence
• Warrior

Offence — cannot use a Defensive Dman, Offensive Dman, Enforcer Dman, Two Way Dman or Puckmoving Dman.

Defense — cannot use Grinder, Playmaker, Sniper, Power Forward or Dangler.

Pre-made builds provided by the game are not allowed for league game play. Using one results in the current game being forfeited. If the player does not change to a custom build and continues to use a pre-made build, the offending player loses 6 games (3 nights) from their season game cap.

If you suspect a player is using a pre-made build, open a ticket with evidence to support your claim.

When a penalty off the opening faceoff is required, allow the team taking the penalty to win the faceoff.

• During game play, teams play out the remainder of the period and reset at the end of the period, with the team who lagged out taking a penalty upon return. A team that chooses not to play out the period and leaves must take a penalty as well — so the lagging team may take 2 penalties, or, if the team who did not lag leaves, 1 penalty each (one for the lag, one for quitting instead of playing out the period).
• While playing out the remainder of the period, any goals scored by the computer do not count.
• Any player may serve the penalty for the lag out — it does not have to be the player who lagged out.
• After a lag out, teams have 10 minutes to rejoin the lobby and match with the other team.
• If someone joins your lobby and causes a crash, a reset is needed without penalty, so long as there is valid proof to show the other team and staff.
• A team that lags out 3 times concedes a forfeit win to the other team.
• If a player lags out before the opening faceoff, teams rejoin the lobby and find the match — no penalty is awarded.
• Players must reload into the following game(s) using the exact same build they loaded into the first game with, including the same perks.

Teams are permitted to consider ending the game if the opposing team maintains a 7-goal or more lead.

The goalie for the losing team must be the one to quit out. If a skater quits out instead of the goalie, it is automatically deemed a rage quit and results in a suspension for that skater.

Teams may use their NHL team's jerseys or custom variations inspired by the team's colours. Any customized design must incorporate the official team logo. Customization may draw from the colour schemes used across the team's historical jerseys.

Participants are expected to honour the team they were drafted to. Upon signup, individuals commit to playing for the team that selects them. League Management reserves the right to take action against players who, without just cause, abandon or refuse to play for their assigned team.

Anyone who leaves the server is removed from the database/roster before the draft and weekly bidding phases.

If a team folds within the final 2 weeks of the season, their Team Management will be banned and all rostered players placed into an FA Random Assignment to land on a new team. Players from a folded team are only eligible for playoffs if the team folded due to Team Management's negligence. If the rostered players are responsible for the fold, they are ineligible for playoffs on their new team(s).

Stats are not counted for any and all forfeit games — even if the game was played before it was deemed a forfeit.

Maximum roster capacity is 18 players, including the Team Owner, GM and AGM, which must be locked in before the season's opening draft.

A team must maintain a minimum roster size of 12 players. To be eligible for playoffs, you must have a minimum of 12 rostered players.

Agreeing to play for a team and then refusing to play for them — as a rostered player or an ECU — results in a 2 season ban, as this is a form of tampering.

Teams start the season with a salary cap of 60M. After the season opening draft, teams have 14M remaining to use as they see fit, for trading or bidding.

Teams who spend their remaining cap unwisely — for example, spending it all on a top player with poor availability or who does not fit a position of need — will not receive help from League Management to fix the mistake. Team Management must make trades and/or releases to correct it.

If Team Management finds themselves with fewer than 12 players, they are immediately assigned a random player from the Free Agent pool. The assigned player's cap is half the cap of the person they replace — if Player A leaves with a 12M cap, the RA player is assigned a 6M cap.

Team Management is not assigned a salary cap. Teams may only have a total of:

• 3 players at 9M and above.
• 6 players between 6M and 8M.
• Any amount of players at 5M and below, provided the team stays within its roster cap limit.

Once drafted, those players keep their draft tags all season. This prevents teams from acquiring a player, releasing them to strip the tag, and re-acquiring them.

• 26 games — signed up before Sunday of Week 2.
• 20 games — signed up starting Week 2.
• 14 games — signed up Week 3 (final week of the draft).

A player who plays more than their 26, 20 or 14 game cap is not eligible to play on the opening night of playoffs and causes a forfeit loss for their team that game. Players who continue to play while at the season game cap are not eligible to play during the entire first round of playoffs.

If a team forfeits their games, the entire team loses 1 game from their cap, per offence. Teams who attempt to fill their roster — for example by requesting an ECU that staff could not find — may be granted leniency on this rule.

Complete a trade ticket within the Ticket Booth channel. Roster moves open on the Friday of Week 1.

Once a trade has been made, players may not play for their new team until everyone involved in the trade has shown up. Players have 48 hours to join their new team server invite. Those who do not are considered to be refusing to play — that player is permanently banned and the trade is reversed. Players who leave the league after being traded receive a permanent ban for refusal to play, and the trade is reversed.

Players who have been traded or signed from the bid must play a minimum of 2 games with their new team before they are eligible to be traded again.

• Ensure you possess the necessary roster space to execute the proposed trade.
• Trades go through as the Trade Committee has the availability to process them and all requirements are met.
• Owners must notify League Management if a player they traded for does not show up to the team server. Not reporting a missing player will not reverse the trade and no compensation is given — it is the owner's responsibility to report.
• If a player is away and cannot join within 48 hours but disclosed that to the original owner, with the new owner acknowledging it, the trade proceeds as normal.
• If a player is traded while active and then quits after the trade goes through, the trade is reversed. The owner faces no disciplinary action; the player receives a permanent ban.
• Teams must submit proof of activity for the player — a dated screenshot of availability or locker room chat. Players must be active to be traded, regardless of whether both teams agree to the risk. A player deemed inactive by not participating in chat or providing availability must be quit listed by their current owner.
• No trade goes through without approval from 4 of 7 of the Trade Committee. If 3 or more say no, the trade is vetoed and you will be informed why it was deemed unfair. Any committee member whose team is involved in a trade does not take part in that vote; a replacement steps in.
• Quit listed players cannot be traded.

All roster moves close at 10:00 PM EST on the Thursday of Week 4. Trade requests become invalid as of 7:00 PM EST on the Wednesday of Week 4. Once rosters close, no further signups are accepted for the season — including ECU-only players.

• A total of 12, 10 or 8 games played, depending on when the player signed up.
• A minimum of 4 games played for the team they are currently on.
• Make a ticket and receive confirmation from Grandpa SBHL that the request has been received.

Example: you have played 12 games for San Jose, but San Jose trades you to Montreal. To use your trade request to get off Montreal, you must play 4 games with Montreal — putting you at 16 total games on the season — before you can request a trade.

Once the request is confirmed by Grandpa, Team Management is informed that they have 24 hours to make a trade. If they do not, the player is released to Free Agency.

Players can lose their trade request if they are caught:

• Trying to manipulate or threaten Team Management to be traded without using their trade request.
• Trying to use their trade request in an invalid way — going to Team Management instead of making a ticket with League Management.
• Speaking to anyone outside League Management about their trade request.
• Speaking to Team Management or other players about using their trade request — this is a form of tampering.

To release a player, submit a ticket providing the gamertag and position of the player being released. Releasing a player to free agency opens the opportunity for them to be bid on by other teams during the weekly bidding.

To release a player to the quit list, the team must make multiple attempts to contact the player through Discord, with substantiating proof required after a period of 36 hours without a response.

Team Management cannot be released without valid proof from the Owner, GM and AGM explaining why the move is being made.

Teams maintain ownership rights over quit-listed players. However, the player will not be brought back or used in game until Team Management has made a ticket notifying League Management of the player's return and the player has been added to the team's roster.

Quit-listed players resume their original cap when reinstated and must play 4 games before being traded. If an owner cannot accommodate the original draft cap for a returning quit-listed player, roster adjustments must be made by game time or the player is released to free agency.

Players are not able to be traded while on the quit list.

Players remaining on the quit list at the end of the season are subject to a 2 season ban. Bans may be disputed and overturned if the dispute is successful.

From Week 1 to Week 4 we hold an FA Draft. The draft starts Fridays at 8:00 PM EST.

If you release a player before roster moves close for draft night (Friday, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST), you cannot draft them back in that week's draft phase. You must wait until the following week's draft, if the player is still available.

Teams are awarded as many picks as they can use until their roster reaches the max limit of 18 each week. A team may fold its remaining picks and stop making selections for that week by making it known during the draft.

The standings decide the order of picks: 8th picks 1st, 1st picks last. This is not a snake draft, and there is no trading of draft picks.

Owners who abandon their teams face consequences including a two season ban and forfeiture of future ownership privileges.

Team Management may find a replacement for themselves and drop down to being a player — however, they lose their trade request and are not playoff eligible.

With 10 teams total, 8 teams make the playoffs. Games are played in a best-of-seven format.

Each round is given 1 week to complete its series before we move on. The series runs on this schedule:

• 2 games — night 1
• 2 games — night 2
• 3 games (if needed) — night 3

• 1 vs 8
• 2 vs 7
• 3 vs 6
• 4 vs 5

• From the draft — 12 GP
• After Week 2 — 8 GP
• After Week 4 — 4 GP
• New signups assigned after roster moves close — 2 GP

Roster moves close in Week 5.

Any suspension received in the final week of games that runs longer than the end of the regular season continues into the playoffs.

Example: you receive a 6 game suspension on the last night of the regular season — you serve those 6 games during the playoffs.

• Points
• Regulation Wins
• Total Wins
• Head-to-Head Points
• GF/GA Differential
• Goals For
• Goals Against

All players — skaters and goalies, not including Team Management — may play 3 games per series only.

If your roster has availability issues you may ECU. ECU players are permitted to play 2 games per series, and a team may not use more than 2 ECUs per series. ECUs are not permitted for Game 7.

A minimum of 14 GP is required to be eligible for awards.

• Conn Smythe
• James Norris
• Jack Adams
• Rocket Richard
• Bobby Orr
• Art Ross
• Vezina
• Selke
• Hart
• Lady Byng
• William M. Jennings
• Bill Masterton