Rules of Competition

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2026 Eastern Canadian Ringette Championships Competition Rules

1.                  Competition Dates

April 16-20, 2026

2.                  Competition Venue

Iceland Arena: 705 Matheson Blvd. E. Mississauga

3.                  Event Information:

https://www.ecrcs.ca/

4.                  Participant Registration

4.1               All athletes, team staff, and officials must be fully registered with their local ringette association and members in good standing with both their local association and Provincial Association.

5.                  Substitutions (TRF Adjustments)

5.1               All substitutions and/or TRF adjustments must be pre-approved by the team’s Provincial Association.

5.1.1  Any player participating in the Canadian Ringette Championship (CRC) is ineligible to play in the ECRC in the same playing season.

5.1.2  Any team staff member or player entering the ECRC under suspension by their provincial sport governing body or Ringette Canada, or suspended during the course of the event, will not be permitted to direct any member team during any game, carry out any official duty on behalf of any member team, be in or about the dressing room or bench area before, during or after any game by any member team, or situated anywhere in the arena in a position to direct any member team for the duration of the suspension.

6.                  Code of Conduct

6.1               Ringette Ontario is committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect. Participants, parents/guardians of participants, and spectators at Ringette Ontario’s events are expected to always conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the values of Ringette Ontario. Conduct that violates Provincial Codes of Conduct may be subject to sanctions pursuant to Provincial policies related to discipline and complaints. 

6.2               All spectators will be expected to uphold respectful practices when watching games. In addition, please appreciate that athletes and coaches will require space to complete a proper pre- and post-game routine. Visiting with family and friends is to be done outside of the field-of-play. 

6.3               Air horns and any type of mechanical horns are prohibited at all arenas by the City of Mississauga. Spectators caught using these devices will be asked to leave the arena. 

6.4               All music must be kept at a reasonable volume throughout the facilities. No speakers are permitted within the arenas as the loud music can interfere with the play. The content of the music played throughout the facilities must also be appropriate for community listening. Teams may be asked to lower the volume or change the song at any point by Event staff or host volunteers. Warm-up must be done in a designated area.

6.5               All athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, organizers, and media are to be treated with the utmost respect, regardless of how you may be feeling at any given time. 

6.6               Individuals who are deemed to be in violation of their Provincial Code of Conduct (including bullying and/or cyberbullying are subject to suspension and/or other action, as deemed appropriate upon review by the event Discipline, Protest and Grievance Committee and subject to further discipline from their Provincial Association. 

7.                  Competition Format

7.1               The U16, U19, and 18+ division format is a full round robin, wherein each team plays every other team (in their age division). At the end of the round robin, teams will be ranked first to last. The playoff format will see first place team given a bye to the gold medal game.  Second and third place will play with the winner advancing to the gold medal game and the loser receiving the bronze medal.

7.2               The U14 Division will see teams divided into 2 pools with no more than three (3) provincial winners in one pool. No province will have two (2) teams in the same pool. At the conclusion of round robin play the top two (2) teams from each pool will cross over for the playoffs.

8.                  Game Format

8.1               In the U14, U16 and U19 divisions each game will consist of two (2) fifteen (15) minute stop periods.

8.2               In the 18+ division each game will consist of two (2) seventeen (17) minute stop periods.

8.3               In a game with a seven (7) goal or greater differential, the second period will be conducted in running time. If the goal differential becomes six (6) goals or less again, the game reverts to stop time.

8.3.1  Teams will be given a three (3) minute on-ice warm up prior to each game. This three (3) minute warm-up may start at the scheduled game time or upon completion of ice resurfacing, whichever is latest. Teams will only be permitted on the playing surface a maximum of ten (10) minutes prior to the scheduled game time.

8.4               A one (1) minute intermission will be given between periods of play.

8.5               Each team will get one (1) timeout per game.

8.6               If the team's timeout is not used in regulation time, it will carry over into overtime.

8.7               An additional timeout will be awarded to each team in each overtime period. Teams with two (2) available timeouts in the overtime period cannot use them back-to-back.

9.                  Breaking of Ties in Games

9.1               A tie game during round robin play will stand as is with no overtime period; however, during the playoffs (i.e. semis and finals) the game is to be played until a winner is declared.

9.2               If the score of a playoff game is tied at the end of regulation time, there will be one (1) overtime period of the same length as the division’s regular game time periods, stop time, which will be sudden victory (i.e. the first team to score will be declared the winner).

9.3               If neither team scores during the first overtime period, there will be successive sudden victory overtime periods until a goal is scored to break the tie.

9.4               Possession to start the first overtime period will be decided by the tossing of a coin by an on-ice official. The team winning the toss will get the free pass. The other team will get the choice of ends.

9.5               If additional overtime periods are required, possession of the ring for the opening free pass will alternate between teams. The teams will also exchange ends for each overtime period.

10.               Point Structure

10.1            Teams receive two (2) points for a win, one-point (1) for a tie and zero (0) points for a loss. The team with the most points in each division will be declared the top team.

11.             Breaking of Ties in Standings

11.1            When two (2) or more teams have an equal number of points after the completion of the round robin games, the highest of the tied teams will be determined in the following order and considering the “Official Score” of the tied games:

a)          The winner of more game(s) between each other during the round robin will be declared the highest position,

b)          If still tied, the team having the greatest positive difference between goals for and against in games between the tied teams in the round robin will be declared the highest position.

c)          If still tied, the team having the least total goals against in games between the tied teams during the round robin will be declared the highest position.

d)          If still tied, the team having the greatest positive difference between goals for and against in all games during the round robin will be declared the highest position.

e)          If still tied, the tied team with the least total goals against in all games during the round robin will be declared the highest position.

Notes:

• These shall be followed in sequence until the tie is broken (i.e. one team is eliminated from the tie). Once one (1) team is eliminated from the tied, the procedure reverts to (1).

• This procedure, in most cases, will declare the LOWEST position between tied teams, and that team shall be dropped from the tie breaking procedure (e.g. the top two teams remain tied). In these cases, the procedure shall also revert to (1) to break the tie between those teams, which remain tied.

• In all cases, the maximum difference (spread) between goals for and against in each game is seven (7) goals. This is the “Official Score”.

12.             Game Administration

12.1            Official Game Reports (electronic game sheets) must be signed by all registered team staff a minimum of 20 minutes prior to scheduled game time. 

12.2            Home team will always wear their dark jerseys.

12.3            All uniform numbers must coincide with those on the team roster form (except in cases of unforeseen circumstances) and the Official Game Report, except in the case of colour conflict and mandatory sweater change. Each player has their own number and there shall be no duplication of numbers on any one team. Uniforms not complying with the Officials Rules and Tournament Rules will not be permitted for use.

12.4            In the event of unforeseen circumstances that affect a team’s ability to start their game within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time, the Tournament Director of Officials, together with at least two members of the Discipline, Protest, and Grievance Committee, shall decide to default or to reschedule, based on the circumstances.

12.5            To maintain the privilege of choice of goal areas to defend beginning a game, the home team starting goalkeeper must, upon entering the ice surface for the pre-game warm-up, proceed immediately to the goal area that team wishes to defend.

12.6            Dressing rooms will be available 30 minutes prior to scheduled game start and must vacate 15 minutes after the game is complete to allow for cleaning. Be respectful of other teams waiting to get in. 

13.             Playing Rules

13.1            Ringette Canada Official Rules apply and shot clocks will be used for all ECRC games.

13.2            In the case of uniform sweater colour conflict and mandatory sweater change, between teams that are not provincial representative teams, the visiting team will be required to change uniform sweaters.  If there is a conflict of colors between a provincial representative team and a team that is not, the non-representative team must arrange uniforms with non-conflicting colors.

13.3            Teams and/or players will be assessed delay of game penalties for unnecessary delays during stoppages in play, including for not wearing mandatory equipment and/or the wearing of jewelry. 

13.4            There will only be one line change allowed per team during each stoppage in play.

14.             Discipline, Protest, and Grievance (DPG) Committee

14.1            The Discipline, Protest, and Grievance Committee for the ECRC shall consist of three (3) people: the Chair of the Host Committee or designate (Chair), the Director of Officials or designate, the Hosting Province delegate and in case one of these is unavailable one (1) member at large appointed by the Chair.

14.2            The committee shall consider all appeals, protests, grievances and disciplinary matters related to any aspect of the Eastern Canadian Ringette Championships.

14.3            This committee shall not consider a protest or grievance based upon a referee’s judgement call.

15.             Deliberation Procedure

15.1            The Protest/Grievance is received in writing within thirty (30) minutes from the end of the game. The head coach (or a rostered team representative if the Head Coach is not available) of the non-filing team is advised of the Protest/Grievance immediately upon receipt of same.

15.2            The Discipline, Protest and Grievance Committee meet as soon as possible and, if at all possible, prior to the next game of each team.

15.2.1   Any member(s) of that Committee considered by the Committee Chair to be in conflict is/are to be excused from the Committee and replaced by individual(s) suitable to the Committee Chair.

15.3            The Director of Officials, Officiating Supervisor (if in attendance at the game in question), on-ice officials and Minor Officials (as necessary) are interviewed independently.

15.4            One representative from each of the filing and non-filing teams is permitted to independently address the Discipline, Protest and Grievance Committee, if requested.

15.5            The decision reached by the Discipline, Protest, and Grievance Committee is immediately communicated to the teams involved by the Committee Chair.

16.             Suspensions

16.1            All Match penalty assessments based on actions as outlined below must be made known to a member of the Protest, Grievance and Discipline Committee, by the official involved via the Director of Officials (or designate), within 30 minutes of the competition of that game. Details surrounding the Match penalty assessment must also be clearly outlined in writing by the officials in the Official Game Report.

16.2            The Discipline, Protest, and Grievance Committee shall meet to determine the game suspension of the individual(s) involved. This meeting shall take place as soon as possible upon receipt of notice of the Match penalty assessment and, if possible, prior to the next game of the team(s) involved.

16.3            In their deliberations, this Committee may interview any or all the following: the on-ice officials, the player(s)/team staff involved, the Officiating Supervisor at that game (if applicable), and any others whose input the Committee views would be of value.

16.3.1   Should a player or team staff member be assessed a Misconduct penalty during a game or a Misconduct penalty be assessed after a game, the resulting one (1) game suspension will apply to that team’s next scheduled game in the tournament.

16.3.2   Should a player or team member be assessed a Match penalty during a game, that individual will be ejected from the remainder of that game and will be suspended for a minimum of one (1) game. The resulting game suspension(s) will apply to that team’s next scheduled game(s) in the tournament.

16.3.3   Should a Match penalty be assessed after a game (i.e. at its official completion or following the ejection of that individual from that game), the resulting game suspensions will apply to a minimum of that team’s next two (2) scheduled games in the tournament. 

16.3.4   Minimum suspension guidelines as outlined below are in effect.  The Discipline, Protest, and Grievance Committee shall meet to determine the game suspension of the individual(s) involved. This meeting shall take place as soon as possible upon receipt of notice of the Match or Misconduct penalty, if possible, prior to the next game of the team(s) involved. 

16.3.5   The suspensions specified (in number of games), are over and above the automatic

16.3.6   suspensions outlined above for Match or Misconduct penalty infractions.  

Athlete/Team Official Assessed a MATCH penalty for:
Action	Suspension (# in games)
Contact Penalty from behind	4
Slew Footing	3
Hair pulling	3
Face masking	3
Head Butting	3
Spearing, Butt Ending, or Kicking	4
Stick Swinging	4
Deliberate Intent to Injure (for example: deliberate hits to the head, rough play, kneeing, cross checking, boarding)	4
Fighting - Instigating	4
Fighting - Participating (incl. Those in addition to original participants)	2
Athlete/Team Official Assessed a Misconduct or Match penalty for:
Abuse of an Official (on-ice and minor officials)
Excessive Verbal Abuse before, during, or after a Game - Misconduct Penalty	2
Excessive Verbal Abuse Post Game on ice Misconduct plus - Match Penalty	3
Physical - Minimal (ie touch/brush)	3
Physical - Moderate (ie push)	5
Physical - Excessive (ie punch/attempt to punch/push causing fall on or off-ice)	7
Code of Conduct Violations:
Individuals who are deemed to be in violation of the Ringette Ontario Code of Conduct (including bullying and/or cyberbullying are subject to suspension and/or other action, as deemed appropriate upon review by the DPG Committee.

16.4            Based on the circumstances surrounding the Match or Misconduct penalty, Code of Conduct Violation, or Bullying/Cyberbullying Incident, the DPG Committee may choose to impose a game suspension, without appeal, up to a maximum number of games stated for the specific infraction(s). Additional suspensions may be imposed should the circumstances warrant the same. Should an individual commit more than one of these infractions in the same game, the suspension penalties imposed shall be additive. 

17.             Further Policies

17.1            Any procedures or circumstances that are not clearly laid out will be determined by representatives of the participating provincial organizations. Requests for exceptions or clarifications are to be sent to each of the participating provinces. Each province, even the one submitting the request, is entitled to one (1) vote. To be accepted a majority of the votes must be in favor of the request.

17.2            The use or of possession of alcoholic beverages and non-prescription drugs while in attendance at competition or ceremonial functions is prohibited.

17.3            Vandalism and Personal Misconduct - malicious damage to accommodation sites, competition sites, transportation vehicles, or personal misconduct causing harassment to officials, participants or audience will not be tolerated.

17.4            In all cases, damage to property will be the responsibility of the individuals at fault. (In the case of minors, it will be the responsibility of the respective Provincial Sports Governing Body). Any misconduct of the nature mentioned above will be dealt with by   the Eastern Provinces Presidents or delegates. Results of misconduct could be one or more of the following:

17.4.1   Disqualification from the ECRC for one year

17.4.2   Further suspension by the provincial association

17.4.3   Prosecution by law

17.4.4   Fine