Tournament Rules

A.  Tournament Date

1.  Traditionally, the first hockey game will be held on the first Tuesday or Wednesday of March.  This is the preferred week for the Tournament, however, the dates are to be determined by the host and presented with their bid proposal.

2.  The Tournament will be no less than three days in length.

B.  Tournament Logos

1.  The official Tournament logo is depicted above. As a minimum this logo will be used for the Tournament patch.

2.  Any other logos used in conjunction with a Tournament will show as a minimum the Tournament city and year.

C. Player Eligibility

1.  Teams are made up as follows:
a.  ATC players:  Air Traffic Controllers, Flight Data/Flight Service Specialists, or ATC equipment Technicians and Engineers.  These players may be civilian or military, active or retired.
b.  Grandfathered Players:  Non-ATC players “grandfathered” through participation in the Tournament prior to April 1996 and whose names are on the Grandfathered list, Appendix 1.  The Rules Committee will maintain the Grandfathered list and may add a player if sufficient data is provided showing player participation in the tournament prior to April 1996.
c.  Immediate Family Members:  Non-ATC immediate family members of an ATC or Grandfathered player registered and playing in the tournament may also play in the tournament.  This includes spouse, parent, sibling, and/or child.
d.  NextGen: Non-ATC players who have participated in three or more International ATC Hockey Tournaments after April 1996 and whose names are on the NextGen list, Appendix 6. The Rules Committee will maintain the NextGen list and may add a player if sufficient data is provided showing a player participated in three or more International ATC Hockey Tournaments after April 1996.
        e.  (NEW 2023) Guest Players/Aviation slot:  In addition to ATC, ATC Family, Grandfathered, and NextGen Players, you are allotted 2 non-ATC players per team regardless of team size (This eliminates the 10% of your team rule) You are also allotted 1 Aviation-related player per team. Examples would be Pilot, Airline mechanic, Airline worker, Aviation manager, etc.

2. Pilot Teams

a. Pilot teams will be welcomed to the International Air Traffic Control Tournament as spots are available.

b. In a capped tournament, ATC teams will have a deadline, set by the tournament host, to submit their roster and team fees. After that date, if there is room for a pilot team under the cap, then it can be offered by the host.

c. Pilot teams shall not exceed 10% of the total teams included in the tournament. Example, 30 Teams total that year, no more than 3 pilot teams.

d. Pilot teams are limited to the same type of team composition rules as ATC Teams. Teams shall consist of Pilots, their immediate family members, and 2 non-pilot guest spots.

3.  All players must meet the legal age of drinking of the host city.

4.  All players must be registered on and paid in full for each team they intend to play on, prior to the first game for that team. In addition, non-players that intend to participate in tournament events must register for the tournament and pay the non-player fee. 

5.  Team representatives will be held accountable to ensure any player they use is eligible to play in the tournament and on their team.  A team that uses an ineligible player will, as a minimum, forfeit all points won to the opposing team for any game the ineligible player was used.

6.  Players participating in the Tournament agree to accept the Rules as established by the Rules Committee.

D.  Teams and Rosters

1.  The maximum number of participating teams shall be determined by the host.

2.  The host is limited to entering two teams from their facility, unless the maximum number of participating teams has not been reached.

3.  Unless otherwise coordinated with the organizing committee, the minimum entry fee to enter a team is the sum of eleven paid players.

4.  Teams with less than 12 skaters on their roster are subject to assignment of eligible free-agent skaters by the host.  Assignment of such players will not increase roster size above 13 skaters.
 
5.  All players must be rated in accordance with the player rating system, Appendix 2. 

6.  Players may play for more than one team as follows:
a.  The player must designate a “Primary” team and pay a full registration fee for that team prior to the first game.

b.  The player may play for additional teams in the same or higher division of the player’s rating.  The player must be registered with the additional team(s) prior to that team’s first game.  Also, the player must pay a “2nd team fee” for each team played on in addition to their home team.  The 2nd team fee equals the player fee minus the non-player fee and must be paid prior to the first game for that team.

        c. (NEW 2023) Starting in Moncton 2024, no players will be allowed to play for 2 teams UNLESS they are on the 2-team player grandfathered list, see Appendix 1, OR for emergencies (goalies only)

        d. (NEW 2023) Two-team grandfathered list, if you have skated on 2 teams in both BUFFALO 2022 AND CLT 2023, you can continue to play on two teams. If you choose to play a tournament on a single team in the future, you forfeit your place on the grandfather list.

        e. (NEW 2023) Emergency Goalie. If a team does not have a goalie 3 months prior to the tournament, a goalie from another team can play on 2 teams.

        f. (NEW 2023) Regardless if you are a player or goalie, you must pick your primary team at the payment deadline.

      
g.  The Host is not responsible for resolving scheduling conflicts for persons playing on more than one team.

7.  Players can play only on teams for which they are registered and paid for, except:
a.  A team may replace an injured skater with a skater of equal or lower rating to bring that team up to the minimum of 10 skaters.
b.  A team may replace a goalie injured during the warm-up or game with any available goalie.  For subsequent games involving the injured goalie or for a goalie no-show, a replacement goalie must be from the same or lesser division.  If a goalie allowed by the rule cannot be found, a team may use any goalie to participate in the game, but all points will be forfeited to the opposing team
c.  A team using a substitute player as noted above must advise the opposing team coordinator of such prior to the game in which the substitute player will be used.

8.  Each team must provide the Host with a complete player roster prior to their first game.  Teams should use the roster form provided by the tournament host or as provided in Appendix 3.  For each player, the roster must include the player’s name, jersey number, position, tournament eligibility, facility or hometown, player rating, and home team.  Additionally, each team must provide a total team rating plus an average player rating.  No roster additions are allowed after a team’s first game, except as provided for player injury or goalie “no-show” in para. D.7.

9.  Each team must provide the Host an email address for Tournament correspondence.  In addition, the Team Rep must register their name and email address on the International ATC Hockey website at http://www.atchockey.com.

E.  Old-Timers

In the event the Tournament has an Old-Timers Division, the following rules apply.

1.  The Host will determine eligibility requirements to play in the Old-Timers Division.

2.  Old-Timers teams will play three games.

3.  Old-Timers may also play for their home team without paying an additional fee.

4.  Old-Timers will not be counted as players on their home team’s roster.

5.  An Old-Timers team may send a rep to the team rep meetings but do not get a vote as an independent team.  In voting matters, Old-Timers should provide input to their home team rep.

6.  The Host may add non-ATC players to the Old-Timers team’s at their discretion if extra players are needed to complete the teams.  

F.  Playing Rules

1.  Each team will play a minimum of four games, except the Old Timers, who will play three games.

2.  Each game will consist of three periods.

3.  Each player is responsible for wearing appropriate head and body protection (helmet with or without shield or cage, elbow and shin pads, and breezers), as well as any other equipment required by the laws of the Host City.

4.  A player that receives a game misconduct will be immediately ejected from the Tournament.  Any future game misconduct received by that player will result in a permanent ban from the Tournament.

5. A committee for major decisions concerning discipline shall consist of the chairperson from the present Tournament, the chairperson from the next years tournament, plus one member of the Rules Committee. A minimum of 2 out of 3 committee members must be present to render a decision. 

(i)  A non-ATC player disciplined by the disciplinary committee could be subject to a life ban from the Tournament regardless if he is a NextGen player.

6.  Basic Game rules:
a.  No slap shots.  No back-swing above the knee when shooting or passing.  Violation will result in a face-off in the offending team’s defensive zone.
b.  No body checking.
c.  No center red line.
d.  Automatic icing.
e.  One time out per game, per team, not to exceed one minute in length.
f.  Two Referees per game to be familiar with all ATC Hockey Tournament rules.
g.  Teams will wear similar jerseys that allow for individual identification of players.
h.  10 points per game as follows:
      First goal of game:  1 point.
      Each period won:  2 points (tie – 1 point each team).
      Last goal of game:  1 point.
      Winning team:  2 points (tie – 1 point each team).
      In the event of a 0-0 tie, each team will be awarded 5 points.
i.  In the event of a tie in the overall standings, the tie-breaker is as follows:
            (NEW 2023)       1. The team that started in the higher division.

                                         2. Most Goals For

                                         3. Least Goals Against

                                         4. Least Penalty Minutes

                                         5. Coin Toss
j.  Absolutely no fighting!
k.  Any additional on-ice rules as determined by the Host.

G.  Trophies

1.  All trophies are property of the International ATC Hockey Tournament, except for “personal” trophies.  Tournament trophies are to be returned to the host prior to the first game of the Tournament. 

2.  It is the responsibility of each trophy recipient to properly engrave and repair, when necessary, any Tournament trophy awarded.

3. Trophies awarded each year:
a.  Friendship Cup.
b.  Denis Ritch Tournament Defenseman.
c.  Don Pitcairn Tournament Goalie.
d.  Esprit-de-Corps Team Award.
e.  Pierre Marcoux Esprit-de-Corps Individual Award.
f.  Best Uniform Design.
g.  Horses-Ass Award.
h.  Losers Award.
i.  Host Awards.  Any other awards decided by the Host.

H.  Tournament Organization

1.  Each team will designate a team representative who will conduct business for the team while at the Tournament.

2.  During the Tournament, the Host will hold daily team rep meetings at a pre-determined time and place to discuss Tournament business.  Each team must send their team rep or an alternate to each meeting.  A team cannot be represented by proxy at the meetings.

3.  Only one representative from each team will be allowed to attend team rep meetings, except the host may have additional attendees as necessary.

4.  In voting matters, each team will have one vote.  Results of voting will be based on a simple majority of the team reps present.

I.  Bidding to Host a Tournament

1.  At the Wednesday team rep meeting of each Tournament, teams may submit a bid proposal to host the Tournament two years from the current tournament.  The bid proposal in Appendix 4 must be completed to the extent possible and copies should be made for each team rep.  Additional information may be presented at the bidder’s discretion.

2.  At the Friday meeting, team reps will vote to decide the future Tournament location/Host.  The Host Chairperson and a member of the Rules Committee will count the votes.  Results will be based on a simple majority of the team reps present.

3.  The winning bidder cannot change the date or location of the tournament.  A price increase in the registration fee or hotel room of more than 10% of what was originally bid must be approved by the Rules Committee.

4. At the Wednesday team rep meeting, the host for the upcoming tournament shall give an update on preparations for that tournament.  In the event of a significant change from what was submitted in the bid proposal, the Rules Committee has the authority to present options to the team reps and call for a re-vote if appropriate.    

J.  Financial Responsibilities

1.  The Tournament Host will determine all dates for registration and when deposits and final payment are to be remitted.  All teams and individuals must be paid in full prior to their first game of the tournament.  In the event a paid player cannot attend the tournament, requests for refund of registration fee will be addressed after the tournament is over.  Refunds will be at the host’s discretion. 

2.  The Rules Committee will establish and maintain an ATC Hockey Tournament Fund to pay for incidentals such as web-site maintenance and to fund Tournament “float money.”  The Rules Committee will submit a yearly accounting statement for that fund to the membership at the Wednesday team rep meeting. 

3.  A Host may request float money from the Tournament Fund to establish an operating fund for their upcoming Tournament.  This request should be made through the Rules Committee with any advanced money repaid prior to June 1 after the Tournament.   

4.  Each Tournament Host will collect a $10 per person levy in the currency of the Tournament with the registration payment for the purpose of building the ATC Hockey Tournament Fund. A check for the total amount of levy collected must be presented to the Rules Committee at the closing of their financial records.

5.  Each Host will be required to submit a summary of the Tournament noting what worked and what didn’t, plus any suggestions to future Hosts.

6.  The Tournament is a not-for-profit event.  After all tournaments debts are settled, including the per person Hockey Fund Levy, any excess monies shall be given to the Rules Committee for deposit into the tournament fund.

7.  The Statement of Earnings form has been developed to provide an accounting system for Tournaments.  The Host will complete and submit this form along with any excess tournament monies no later than June 1 after their Tournament.  In the event the Host declares a loss of monies for the tournament, the Rules Committee will then audit the Statement and reimburse the Host in accordance with its findings.  

K.  Rules Committee

1.  The Rules Committee regulates and controls the organization of the Tournament, maintains its rules, and oversees the Tournament financial aspects.  The Rules Committee has the authority to adopt, delete, or change rules for the benefit of the Tournament.  For rules changes, three of the five rules members must be in concurrence. 

2.  At the Tuesday team rep meeting, the Rules Committee will submit minutes from the previous tournament’s rules meetings plus an agenda of items to be discussed at the current tournament.

3.  The Rules Committee will establish and maintain a Rules binder to bring to each Tournament.  This binder will contain the current Rules, minutes from Rules meetings, the Grandfathered and NextGen list, and any other documents or forms needed to conduct business at a Tournament.

4.  (NEW 2023) The Rules Committee consists of five members; 4 North American positions, and one “Member-at-Large” from any country.  Members are elected from candidates nominated by team representatives and serve for a period of four tournaments/years each, except the Member-at-Large will serve for two tournaments/years.  Terms will be staggered to allow one North American seat up for election each tournament, and for the "Member-at-Large" seat to be up for election every other tournament. Terms end at the conclusion of the Saturday rules committee meeting of the member’s final tournament.

5.  Elections for Rules Committee members will be held at the Thursday Team Rep meeting in years as required. Nominations must be submitted in writing to the Host prior to the meeting at which elections will occur. A new member’s term and voting rights begins at the conclusion of the Saturday Rules Committee meeting; however, new members are encouraged to attend the Saturday meeting.

6.  The Rules Committee has the authority to appoint a person to replace a Committee member who has resigned.  This person must be an Air Traffic Controller as defined in C.1.a.  The appointment ends when the original term for the resigning committee member would have ended.

7.  The Rules Committee shall meet, at a minimum, one day prior to the tournament (the day prior to the first game) and one meeting post-tournament (typically remote)

8. The Rules committee will elect Chairman, secretary, and treasurer from within. The Chairman position will typically go to the most senior member of the rules committee but at discretion of the current committee.