sahofhockey

Click here to view Video Review Process (SAHOF Rules - Addendum 5: Pg 18 to 19)

Click here for the Video Review Submission Form and to pay $100 deposit

The SAHOF Discipline Committee will conduct Disciplinary Hearings for Youth divisions on scheduled dates only. Most disciplinary hearings will be conducted via Zoom, unless the Disciplinary Committee feels that an in-person hearing is required.

Click the link below for the updated Match Penalty Hearing Schedule.
(updated: 5/1/25 and runs through August 2026)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

All coaches, volunteers and referees must be screened per USA Hockey and the State of Florida

http://www.usahockey.com/backgroundscreen

2025 SAHOF ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION
June 28, 2025, at 9:00am

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point
5001 Coconut Rd.
Bonita Springs FL 34134
239-390-4281

Membership planning to attend can use this link to book your room. The booking website has a cut-off date of Friday, 6/6/2025.

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/NAPRN/G-6SAH

Board of Directors with expiring terms:
Josh Dreith
Karen Ota-O’Brien
Billy Gubelman
Lori Demeyer
Jeff Novotny (resigned 2024)

Tony Lessel and Pete Worrell will serve as the Nominating Committee. Please send any nominations for this year's election to either Tony or Pete no later than June 18, 2025.

To All Players, Parents and Officials,

Many of us have either seen or heard of the tragic death of Adam Johnson after his neck was cut by a skate during a game Saturday in Shefield, England. As a result, the SAHOF Board of Directors have unanimously decided to strengthen our Player Safety Rules and implement a Mandatory Neck Guard Rule for all Youth age levels. The SAHOF Board of Directors felt it was incumbent on them to act as body as result of this tragedy.

Effective immediately, we are asking that everyone take the necessary precautions to prevent this “freak accident” from happening to one of our players. We are asking that all players wear either an approved Neck Guard whether it be a collar style, bib style or shirt with ballistic nylon/Kevlar neck protection. Supply for this protection is in high demand. We ask that all players do their best to acquire this protection as soon as possible. If you have extra, please share with teammates that haven’t been able to acquire the neck protection.

We understand that the high demand for this equipment may present a challenge over the next few months. Because of that, the Mandatory Neck Guard Rule will not officially take effect until January 1, 2024. After January 1, 2024, any player that steps on the ice and is observed not wearing Neck Protection will be sent off the ice. This rule will be in effect for all USA Hockey Sanctioned Events within our Affiliate. This includes all High School, House League, SFHL, Florida Alliance and USA Hockey sanctioned tournament games.

Playing games is only half the time players are competing on the ice. It is equally important that all players also use neck protection while practicing as well. Parents/Guardians and Coaches need to do their best to make sure their players are well protected during practice.

The SAHOF Board of Directors will be consulting with our partners around the country to add whatever further necessary precautions or mandates to this rule as we enter the 2024/25 season. Until then, let’s all do our best to protect our kids now!

Thank you,

Steve Lynch
SAHOF Executive Director

As we are all happy to be resuming a full season of hockey this year, for many of you it has regrettably not been a fantastic start for hockey around the Nation as well here in Florida. Many coaches, parents and players have voiced their frustration with the new rule changes mandated by USA Hockey this season. Even though these new rule changes were not supported by the voting membership from our Affiliate or any Affiliate in the Southeast District, we are all bound to the implementation of these rules as are all Affiliate Members of USA Hockey. The rationale behind the rule changes was predicated upon enhancing individual player development.  USA Hockey supported these changes and believes it is their responsibility to make changes to the playing rules as a leader of hockey and the National Governing Body of the sport.

As you may be aware, many officials have either not returned this season or left since the season started. In many cases SAHOF’s most talented officials and officials around the nation have decided not to officiate Youth games and have opted to officiate Junior, College, Adult or quit officiating hockey for a variety of reasons.

There are many contributing factors to this occurrence, however the number one factor according to all research is that officials have left due to the disrespectful treatment and abuse they receive from parents, coaches, and players both during and after games. There have been many troubling incidents this season and this unfortunately is driving officials away from the game. Most referees officiate because of the love of the game and the opportunity to give back or get involved. The constant harassment over calls that involve split-second decisions officials are making on the ice has taken its toll. Our officials are not necessarily happy with the new rule changes, much like the coaches, parents, and players, they are still adapting as well. This has not helped with their frustration with an already hostile officiating environment.

Unfortunately, this is not a new problem that developed this year. Bad behavior and abuse has increased over the past few years. The new rule changes implemented by USA Hockey have only exacerbated the situation due to parent and participant frustration. This ongoing abuse only decays our official participation as our official assigners have no choice but to assign officials to games that potentially exceed their qualifications. In other Affiliates around the country, Leagues and Tournaments are being forced cancel hundreds of games a weekend or play with one official. This is only creating a more dangerous situation in a game that we want to keep safe for all of our participants.

SAHOF and USA Hockey have a Zero Tolerance Policy for abuse of officials. If someone is found abusing officials, including a player, coach, or a parent, they will be subject to discipline including suspension and/or being banned from attending future games. In accordance with the SAHOF Abuse of Officials (Zero Tolerance) Policy, any coach or player receiving an abuse of official game misconduct penalty is subject to an additional game suspension as a result of any game misconduct penalty, for a total of two games. Furthermore, if a coach or player receives a second game misconduct penalty under the Playing Rule 601 during the course of the same season, the coach or player will receive an additional two game suspension, for a total of 3 games. In addition, parents and spectators are subject discipline as well. Holding discipline hearing​s​ for parents is the last thing we want to do.

USA Hockey has no minimum or maximum ages for officials. It is highly recommended that, regardless of level attained, officials do not work games of their own age classification or higher. Generally, officials can successfully officiate as young as age 10. We encourage all players above 10 to consider becoming a referee. It will give the player another perspective of the game and a better understanding of all the rules. Additionally, we’ve observed a wealth of knowledge from the parents in the stands. We would also encourage them to put on the skates and get involved in a positive way.

For information to become a USA Hockey official

https://www.usahockey.com/officiatingprogramregistration

Again, we ask you to practice patience and good judgement. The children are all watching us and following our example. We all need to make a better effort to respect the officials and keep them working so our kids can keep on playing!

Follow the link below to register a team and make a $1,000 deposit payment for the 2024-25 SFHL Season. 'A' and 'AA' registrations are all together in the same registration now.

NOTE: 8U is NOT included on this registration. See the 8U registration form below this one.

The deadline to register has passed. If you still have to register a team, you may do so here until 11:59pm on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The late registration will incur a $200 late fee.

Follow this Link to register all 8U teams for the 2024-25 SFHL Season. Do NOT use this link for 10U through 18U teams.

The deadline to register has passed. If you still have to register a team, you may do so here until 11:59pm on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The late registration will incur a $200 late fee.

https://myevents.usahockey.com/sahof-annual-association-fee

Follow this Link to make online payments for balances due for teams for the 2024-25 SFHL Season.

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https://sahofhockey.sportngin.com/register/form/749058187

This Link will allow you to view the new district boundaries in Google Maps. 

http://drive.google.com/open?id=1tU70E6AVNBLw9qqGELNaZbm-DSbJEZYS&usp=sharing

https://www.sahofhockey.org/page/show/2477361-florida-alliance-aaa-program