Vintage Policies

Be respectful to Kinsmen staff and fellow members playing, or volunteering.

Vintage is no place for harsh criticism or excessive unsolicited coaching.

We are all here to continue playing as we age; enjoy your time on the ice, in the dressing

rooms and in our Social Gardens.

Hooking, slashing, elbowing, holding, tripping, interference, open ice hits, or any other ‘penalty’ infractions are NOT acceptable.

Checking

Members do not expect to be hit at Vintage. Body checking is NOT acceptable. 

Unexpected aggressive physical play is the #1 cause of injuries at Vintage Hockey.

Goalies

Our goalies do NOT expect to be physically hit at Vintage. Avoid driving the net causing body contact with our goalies. If there is not a very certain clear line without goalie contact the player should go behind the net, turn back to the corner or pass

the puck well before potential contact. Do not slash, poke at the goalie’s gloves, or dig into their pads to dislodge the puck. Avoid taking high head shots, or slapshots.

Serious Intentional Incidents

These incidents will be subject to immediate review; appropriate action will follow, potentially resulting in a loss of hockey playing privileges.

Icings

Vintage play blue line icing; give the defensive team retrieving the puck the ringette line.

Offsides

Offsides should be called loudly by the defense on the bench of the opposing team. 

Players should give the blueline up and tag up outside the blueline before re-entering the zone to forecheck.

Faceoffs

The first faceoff of each game is a drop of the puck. In all other faceoff situations, drop the puck at the center dot, or, if preferred, the team scored on takes possession at the center dot, and play continues when everyone on the ice is ready to start play.

Puck Possession

When the play is stopped for whatever reason, the team with puck possession at the time of the stoppage retains puck possession when play resumes.

Scoring

Scoring will be the same for all Groups in the 2026-2027 season. Games are to five, and teams must win by two goals to win the game.

Section 1: General / Information Section

• EVH is a recreational, self-governing hockey organization that does not use referees, except in tournament play.
• EVH is always a safety-first organization with emphasis on SAFETY and RESPECT for others.

Section 2: EVH Hockey Rules of Play 

• If the puck goes off the end or side mesh netting around the ice surface, the puck gets turned over to the team that was defending, and blue line given
• If the puck lands on the back of the goal net, the play stops, and the puck gets turned over to the team that was defending, and blue line given. If it bounces off the goal net on its own, play continues.
• When an offside occurs, the puck gets turned over to the team that was defending, and blue line given.
• No slap shots. Snapshots are fine…knee high or 18” maximum. On an illegal slap shot the puck gets turned over to the team that was defending, and blue line given.
• Defenders must always avoid blindside checks.
• Incidental contact in pursuit of the puck is fine but should be avoided if possible.
• There is no stoppage of play for icing the puck; give the ringette line and continue playing.

Section 3: Penalty Situations

• Body checking is NOT permitted. It is recognized that incidental contact may occur. Intentional body contact is
• NOT allowed. Incidents of intentional body checking will be reviewed by the EVH Executive and may lead to
• termination of EVH playing privileges. (‘Live Barn’ will be used as a tool)
• Hooking, slashing, elbowing, holding, tripping, interference, or any other ‘penalty’ infraction is NOT allowed. If such
• an infraction occurs, the puck is turned over to the other side and centre ice is given.
• NO penalty shots will be awarded.

Section 4: Players Falling to the Ice

• If a player falls to the ice due to contact, or on his own, and is hurt or having difficulty, play is immediately halted.
• Play is resumed only after it has been determined that the player is OK or has received the necessary assistance to
• leave the ice safely.
• Players SHOULD NOT fall to the ice to block a shot or a pass, as they make take out the legs of other players, possibly causing injury to themselves or others.

Section 5: Helmets, Face Masks & Visors (Vintage policy is to default to CARHA rules.)

Players must wear approved helmets. Although face masks are not compulsory, all players are strongly encouraged to wear either a full-face guard or a half shield with mouth guard. CARHA rule 24(d) states: Players and goalkeepers may wear any type of face protector, provided it is securely fastened to the helmet and is made in such a way as not to cause injury to the wearer or opposing players. Note: To meet CARHA insurance requirements for facial injury claims, such protective equipment must be CSA approved. (check the expiry date). Any alteration to a CSA approved facial protector or helmet destroys the certification.

Section 6: Goalie Rules

Warm-up

• DO NOT take warm-up shots at the goalies if they are not watching and only when they indicate they are ready to take shots.
• DO NOT purposely shoot high at goalies during warm-ups.
• DO NOT shoot the puck at the net in warm-ups when goalies or others are putting the pins in the ice for the nets.
• DO NOT begin games until both goalies indicate that they are adequately warmed up and ready to go.

Game Play

• Body contact with goalies is not allowed, either in the crease or outside the crease. Play will stop immediately upon goalie contact and the puck gets turned over to the team that was defending, and the ringette line given.
• Where there is an intent to make contact with a goalie, and such contact is repetitive, or causes a goalie to be injured, such incidents will be reviewed by the EVH Executive and may lead to termination of EVH playing privileges if deemed there was intent to contact the goalie.
• No offensive player can skate into the goal crease unless the puck is in the crease & uncovered; if it is uncovered in the crease the player can poke the puck into the net with their stick, if no contact is made with the goalie
• A covered puck by the goalie results in an Immediate stoppage of play and the puck gets turned over to the team that was defending, and the ringette line given.
• Players are NOT allowed to bang, slash or poke at the goalie’s gloves, pads, etc. to dislodge the puck. Play will stop immediately, and the puck gets turned over to the team that was defending, and the ringette line is given.
• If a goalie is hit in the mask by the puck or a player’s stick, play shall stop immediately until the goalie indicates he is OK to continue; then, the puck gets turned over to the team that was defending, and the ringette line is line given.
• A defensive player must NOT direct an opponent with his stick or body into the crease, causing contact with the goaltender. If such an incident occurs, play is stopped immediately, and the puck gets turned over to the team that was defending, and the ringette line is given.

Section 7: Tournament Section

Vintage Hockey does not use referees, except for our scheduled mini tournaments, as well as pre-tournament games scheduled for our teams preparing for tournaments. In these cases, ‘Old Timer Hockey Rules’ are in effect, with the referee responsible for calling penalties, off-sides, icings, etc. Any questions regarding the interpretation of these Guidelines should be directed to the EVH Executive, directly.