OFHL
Old Friends Hockey League
OFHL is a 40 and over adult, non-checking hockey league. A commissioner and board of members consisting of one representative from each team govern this league. The board will address issues and implement changes as needed. All decisions will be approved by a vote, which will require a majority rule 5-3. The commissioner will vote as well as to break all ties.
All games will be played under USA Hockey’s rules and regulations along with the OFHL league rules. There will be a 24-hour cooling period for any infractions or claims that need to be address with the league or the officiating.
OFHL will be registered with MAHA hockey. A list of all players will be submitted to the MAHA Registrar District 2 for final approval of the league. Team registration deadline is December 31st.
OFHL Rules 2025-2026
1. All players must be 40 years old by September 1stprior to start of season. Goaltenders will be the only exception to this rule.
2. Players must register online at the league web site www.OFHL40.com, and with USA Hockey (www.USAHOCKEY.com before the first league game.
3. The league will follow USA Hockey's new standard of play and rules enforcement. To learn about this please visit the link at www.USAHOCKEY.com
4. A game ejection will be assessed to a player whose conduct is deemed detrimental to the safety of other players or a travesty of the game. A game ejection does not entail an additional game suspension. It is a method by which an individual can be removed from a game in order to diffuse a potentially dangerous situation.
5. If a player receives 3 penalties in a game, that player is ejected from that game with no additional suspension. No player needs to serve that minor penalty, but the team will play shorthanded. Double minors, majors and misconducts count towards the total. Delayed penalties resulting in a goal will still be recorded.
6. A major penalty (5 minutes on the clock) will be assessed for any DELIBERATE infraction that results in an injury or is determined by an official to be so violent that a minor is deemed insufficient.
A game misconduct will be issued concurrently with any major penalty. A game misconduct entails a suspension from league play until the conclusion of the next game.
** In the event that OFHL rules do not coincide with USA Hockey rules, a vote will be taken with team managers to decide the final decision of rule conflicts between the two organizations.**
7. Teams do not have to put anyone in the penalty box to serve a major penalty. The team will play with 4 skaters for the duration of the penalty and a fifth skater will come off the bench after the major expires.
8. If a goaltender receives a game misconduct the officials can decide if he is to be dismissed from the game. If the officials believe that the goaltender was not the INSTIGATOR and is of no further threat he may remain in goal for the good of the game. Five (5) minutes will go on the clock and the goaltender will be suspended for the next game.
9. If a player drops his gloves or removes his helmet in preparation for an altercation, that player will receive at least a game ejection or TWO 10-minute misconducts; therefore that player doesn’t have to sit the next game. (Ref discretion)
10. In order to compete in the playoffs a player must play in A MINIMUM OF 5 REGULAR SEASON GAMES. An exception to this may be reviewed if a team suffers the sudden loss of a player toward the end of the season. **
11. If a player is removed from a game, that player is not to return to the arena for any reason.The player is to either remain in the locker room or leave the building. Failure to comply can only result in further disciplinary action.
12. A suspended player is not allowed on the bench for any reason.
13. The league will review repeat offenders and assess additional suspensions or expulsion if necessary. The team reps or board members will perform the review
14. Slap shots will be permitted.
15. The league will play far blue line icing. This also needs further review during penalties with running time.
16. No alcohol on the bench, coaches and players only in the bench area.
17. Teams can carry up to 18 plus goalie on their roster and dress up to the same for a game. However loading up the bench is frowned upon. This should be reviewed prior to the playoffs
18. It is the responsibility of the captains to assign each player a numbered jersey that is identified on the score sheet.
19. Players are allowed to sub for other teams in the league during regular season play. During playoffs no subs are permitted.
20. No subs are allowed to enter the game after the first period has been played. Only players on your team’s roster may enter after the first period.
21. A shootout will be required to break all ties. We will follow a 3-man-sudden death shootout. These rules do not apply to the Playoff, Semifinal and Final games (see rule #22).
- Each team will select three of its players to participate in the shootout
- Any player who is in the penalty box serving his unexpired penalty at the conclusion of the game, may not participate in the shootout
- The Home team is given the choice of shooting first or deferring to the Visiting team
- Substitute players are NOT allowed to participate in the shootout
- If the score is still tied at the conclusion of the three-player shootout, an additional shooter is selected from each team until a winner is determined. No player is allowed to shoot twice until his team's entire roster of players dressed for that game has taken a shot; however, teams need not observe the same shooting order the second, third, etc., time through the lineup.
- The winning team in a shootout will be awarded two points for the win, while the losing team receives one point for a shootout loss.
22. In the event of a tie in the Playoff, Semifinal and Final's, the games will proceed to a 5 min running time, 4 on 4 sudden death. If there is not a winner at the conclusion of the 4 on 4, the game will go to a 5 min running time, 3 on 3 sudden death. The 3 on 3 will repeat until there is a winner.
Game Format
- No pucks or skating around while the Zamboni is resurfacing the ice
- Games will consist of one full hour (60 mins)
- 1st& 2ndperiods will be 12 min STOP TIME
- 3rdperiod: will be running clock based off of the time remaining of the curfew clock
- If the game is within two goals, the last two minutes of the third period will return to STOP TIME
- Goalies will switch ends
- No games can result in a tie- see shootout rules (#21 and #22)
- In the event of a tie in the Playoff, Semifinal and Final's, the games will proceed to a 5 min running time, 4 on 4 sudden death. If there is not a winner at the conclusion of the 4 on 4, the game will go to a 5 min running time, 3 on 3 sudden death. The 3 on 3 will repeat until there is a winner.
General Notes
- All players must be USA registered before the first regular season game.
- Each team will have a captain who acts as a member of the league board.
- There will be a 24-hour cooling period for any infractions or claims to be addressed. These issues will be reviewed with the league board.
- The board can also vote on new rules, alteration of rules, etc. A rule or issue must have a minimum 5-3 votes including the acceptance from the commissioner.
- The commissioner also has the ability to veto a decision.
- Please make all checks payable to OFHL
