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Okanagan Hockey School Europe is pleased to announce the 2010 Spring Development Tournaments, a three on three cross ice hockey series to be hosted at the Eissporthalle in St. Pölten during four weekends in May and June 2010:

• Players will be provided with a unique format (see below) which will allow all participants a minimum of 3 hours of ice time per daily session. OHSE feels this is a great way to develop your skill level within a game situation.
  
  
• Studies have shown that the smaller ice surface increases players’ skill level with players having puck possession more often to enhance puck-handling and passing skills.
  
  
• Players across North America have adopted 3 on 3 cross ice hockey with open arms and we hope that our local players will take advantage of this unique opportunity.
  
  

We look forward to welcoming you to St. Pölten and the Spring Development Tournaments.

Elias Vorlicek,
Director of Hockey Operations,
Okanagan Hockey School Europe

2010 Spring Development-Tournaments - Program Details

Why should you participate in the Spring Development Tournaments (SDT)?

There are distinct advantages of three on three cross ice hockey:

• Playing cross ice hockey not only teaches valuable puck handling skills but also forces players to think, react, and move the puck more quickly which will greatly help overall play on lager ice surfaces.
• By having less time and space players are forced to use one another also play a better defensive game. The IIHF recommend more small area game training programs along with Hockey Canada and this has proved to improve overall skill development at younger ages.
• Most of all, players will have much more individual puck possession time than on a standard ice surface. In one three on three game players will on average control the puck three times as often as a regular game and have more fun and enjoyment.

We believe the Spring Development League is a perfect way to improve overall skill development as well as having lots of fun through healthy competition.

Groups and Schedules:

Group:	Players born:	May	June
A	1994 1995 1996
B	1997 1998 1999

• Cost per individual player per weekend (2 days) is € 110.
• Teams are composed of min. 6 Skaters (2 Lines) and max. 9 Skaters (3 Lines) plus 1 Goaltender
• Teams registering 10 players including 1 Goaltender will receive a 10% fee reduction.
• Players will also receive a lunch during each of the four daily sessions.
• Teams or individual players must register no later than 15.03.2010 to participate in the league.
• Individual players are welcome and will be placed on teams by OHSE
• For inquiries, contact Elias Vorlicek This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , +43 699 1967 56 35

SDT Rules and Regulations:

Section One: Governing Play
(a) All IIHF rules are in effect unless otherwise stated.

(b) OHSE has final authority concerning all rules and regulations including, but not limited to, suspensions, expulsions and general discretion of conduct.

Section Two: Teams

(a) A team shall be composed of maximum nine (9) skaters and one (1) goalie
(b) Teams must start the game with a minimum seven (7) players ie. 6 skaters and a goalie; or they forfeit the game and points.
(c) Each team will play with four (4) players on the ice including the goalie. 
(d) Teams are allowed to replace goalie with a fourth skater at any time during the game.
(f) OHSE reserves the right to rebalance the teams should one or more teams be too strong.

Section Three: Replacements & Reserves
(a) Notification must be given to OHSE prior to the use of Replacements. Failure to give proper notification may result in forfeiture and possible suspension.
(b) Teams must use other registered players from existing teams or waiting list (if available) from your division or lower. A team borrowing from their opponent is deemed to have forfeited.
(c) Teams can use up to three (3) reserve players in any game; ie. 2 skaters and a goalie.
(d) Replacement players may only be used for emergencies or potential emergencies to meet the minimum

(e) Unregistered players may NOT be used for any reason.

Section Four: Rules of Play
(a) All games will be NON-BODYCHECKING and NON SLAPSHOT.
(b) All games will be 1-thirty (30) minute running time period.
(c) Face-offs will occur only at the beginning of each period or in case of coincidental penalties (see Minor Penalties).
(d) When play is stopped due to the goalie controlling the puck or a goal was scored, a whistle will signal the attacking players to vacate the zone. Once all the attackers have exited the zone, the players may re-enter to resume play immediately. They may not challenge the opposition until they have all exited the zone. Attacking prematurely may result in a penalty for the offending team.
(e) There is no centre-ice (red) line, and therefore no icing calls or offside passes.
(f) No one player may score more than five (5) goals per game UNLESS behind by three (3) or more goals or in the execution of a penalty shot (see minor penalties).

Section Five: Shifts
(a) Player shifts will be one (1) minute and fifteen (15) seconds in length. A buzzer will run to signal the end of each shift.
(b) Players must remain seated in the neutral zone prior to changes.
(c) Once the buzzer sounds, players must relinquish control of the puck immediately and vacate the ice. The new players may enter onto the ice surface immediately.
(d) In the case of a shortened bench due to injury or ejection(s), at the sound of the buzzer all players must make contact with the bench boards; the double-shifted player(s) may then rejoin the action after having touched the bench boards
(e) Failure to immediately relinquish control of the puck at the sound of the buzzer or new players entering the ice surface prematurely may result in a penalty (see Minor Penalties) for the offending team.
(f) If the buzzer is to sound during the course of a penalty breakaway situation, the clock will be held and the players will be allowed to finish the exercise, but must vacate the ice at the sound of the buzzer.
(g) In the absence of a goaltender, teams will play with four (4) skaters. The fourth skater may not exit their zone except to change or in the last shift of the game. Fourth skaters are not required to change on the buzzer and can change at any time.

Section Six: Minor Penalties
(a) All penalties will result in an immediate breakaway situation for the offended player. The referee will place the puck on the centre face-off spot and the remaining players will line up, stationary, on the backside goal line. Play will commence on the referee’s command and the shift resumes as normal. If the offended player is injured and unable to perform the breakaway, the coach will assign one (1) player from the ice to replace that player.
(b) Coincidental penalties shall result in a faceoff at centre ice.
(c) Any player having been assessed three (3) minor penalties in the same game will be automatically ejected from that game.
i. Players ejected with five (5) minutes left to play in the game shall be assessed a further game misconduct.
ii. If a player is ejected during a second game under the same circumstances as (c) that player will be served a further one (1) game suspension.
iii. A third ejection will result a further suspension or possible expulsion from the league.
(d) Body checking penalties will be deemed as two (2) offences on the score-sheet only. Two (2) body checking penalties in the same game will result in the immediate ejection from that game plus a further game misconduct.

Section Seven: Major Penalties
(a) Major penalties will result in the immediate ejection of the offending player(s) and suspension pending further review by OHSE.
(b) Fighting majors will result in the penalized players being expelled from the league indefinitely pending further review by OHSE.

Section Eight: Coaches, Managers
(a) Up to (2) two coaches, assistants or trainers may be on the benches.

(b) Coaches are required to make every effort to ensure EQUAL ICE TIME for all 3 on 3 participants and there is to be no shortening of the bench.
(c) Any bench personnel having been ejected from a game, for any reason, will be automatically suspended for a minimum 2 games and subject to further review for possible expulsion from the league. INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR, CONDUCT OR LANGUAGE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!