Natural Hockey League Charter

Edited 18 September 2003 (SRT)

SECTION 1.0 STATEMENT OF EXISTENCE

        This league shall be known as the Natural Hockey League.  It shall consist of twenty teams divided into four divisions of five, two divisions in each of two conferences.  One conference will be titled the Duke of Windsor Conference and consist of the King Clancy and  Punch Imlach Divisions.  The other conference will be titled the Earl of Sandwich Conference and consist of the Toe Blake and Fred Shero Divisions.  Conference and divisional alignments shall be based as closely as possible on  the real-life National Hockey League.  The super advanced board game version of Strat-O-Matic Hockey is the official and only recognized game of the Natural Hockey League.  The use of the Strat-O-Matic Hockey Utility (V 2.15) is required unless otherwise approved by the commissioner.  See separate document detailing use of the Strat-o-Matic Hockey Utility.  The PC game is NOT used by the Natural Hockey League at this time.

        1.1 Team names will correspond to real-life National Hockey League counterparts.

        1.2 The league will attempt to maintain a ready backup list.

SECTION 2.0 LEAGUE HIERARCHY

        There will be one permanent office of Commissioner who will act as overseer of all league activities.

        2.1 The Commissioner may appoint any league officers or form any committees as may be necessary to resolve any issues or discrepancies within the league.

        2.2   The commissioner will be responsible for the scheduling of all league activities.

        2.3  The commissioner will be responsible for the distribution of all league materials.

        2.4  The commissioner will be responsible for receiving regular monthly statistics from each league member.

        2.5  The commissioner will be responsible for the publication of a regular league newsletter to keep all members abreast of all league information.

        2.6  Any changes to this document are to be submitted to the commissioner at the conclusion of the regular season.  The commissioner will then be responsible for polling all league members on the proposal.  All members in good standing will receive one equal vote on any proposal.  A three fourths majority will be required to pass any change.  Any accepted change will take effect at the start of the next season.

        2.7 The commissioner reserves commissioners authority powers where in extremely rare circumstances any issue not covered by this document, or that may pose a threat to the league, needs resolution.  The commissioner is said to be protecting the best interest of the Natural Hockey League when invoking this clause.

SECTION 3.0 MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

        There are no dues charged to Natural Hockey League members.  We expected timely and fair play.  Dedication to the integrity of the league are the only dues required.  The commissioner reserves the right to charge dues should it become necessary in administering league activities.

        3.1 Natural Hockey League general managers must play ALL games and submit ALL league documents on or ahead of schedule.

        3.2 Natural Hockey League general managers will submit a COMPLETE strategy sheet for their road schedule that will  cover ALL sections outlined in SECTION 5 of this charter.  Strategy sheets will be limited to one typed page.  The reverse side of this page will contain a goalie rotation.  No smaller than an 8 point font is to be used.  Strategy sheets must be legible to be considered complete.  Failure to submit a complete set of instructions will result in THE HOME MANAGER BEING ALLOWED TO MANAGE TO HIS ADVANTAGE.  The league does not expect home GMs to be mind readers.  This will be known as the Natural Hockey Leagues home ice advantage.  The statement use your best judgement WILL NOT be considered coverage of situations you fail to specifically detail. 

        3.3 Natural Hockey League general managers are expected to follow their opponents instructions exactly.  Any misuse of an opponents strategy sheet, such as playing a wrong goalie, will be the responsibility of the home manager and not be counted against the visitor in penalty point situations.

        3.4 Natural Hockey League general managers must complete a realistic home record.  Unrealistic home records will be investigated and are subject to interpretation by the commissioner.

        3.5 Natural Hockey League general managers disrupting the league or its membership for any reason will not be tolerated.  All improprieties should be reported privately to the commissioner who will investigate the situation and decide if further action is necessary.  Probation, or even termination may be the result.

4.0 TEAM ROSTERS

                Natural Hockey League team rosters will carry no maximum.  However, a team must carry enough carded players to cover the games played at each position for the current season.  Each team is allowed five (5) exemption slots to be used exclusively for players who received cards during a previous season, but who are not carded for the current season.  This allows the team to retain its right to that player without having to re-draft him the following season. 

        4.1 Players are limited to the actual amount of games played shown on their card during the regular season.  Natural Hockey League general managers will fill out a game by game goalie rotation sheet provided by the league that will cover the entire regular season schedule.  All rules regarding goaltender fatigue will be adhered to.

        4.2 During the playoffs all skaters may participate in all games regardless of the amount of regular season games played.  Goalie usage will be the same as the regular season with the two following alterations:

        1) Any goalie with a fatigue factor of 5 or higher may play all games in a given playoff series.

        2) All goalie fatigue factors are reset to zero (0) at the conclusion of each series.

        4.3 Natural Hockey League general managers may trade their players.  Only CURRENT seasons draft choices may be traded.  Trade offers may be made either in person, via telephone, or in writing.  A player may be involved in only one trade offer at a time.  EXAMPLE- If you offer player X to Team A and you allow the person to think about it, the deal is said to be left on the table.  A time frame for the deal to be left on the table is to be specified up to a maximum of 7 full days.  If no time frame is specified, the deal must remain on the table for the full seven days.  Player X may not be offered to anyone else until that deal is either accepted or rejected.  No general manager may offer players from another team around the league.

        4.4 Future considerations, undisclosed or conditional draft choices, and players to be named later can all be used in trades.  However, all of these variables must be agreed to and executed prior to the trade deadline of the current season.

There is no in season trading. The trade deadline will be set by the commissioner.  There is no limit to the amount of players or draft choices that can be a part of a trade. 

        4.5 Natural Hockey League general managers retain territorial rights to all carded rookies from their counterpart National Hockey League team.  To retain this right, Natural Hockey League general managers must maintain a minimum of fifteen (15) players from that National Hockey League team.  For the purposes of this rule, a player is said to count towards territorial rights if he finished the previous National Hockey League regular season as property of that franchise.  A team may territorialize as many of its National Hockey League counterpart teams rookies as it has its OWN draft choices.  Teams will acquire territorial rights based on position of finish in the previous season.  First place teams will territorialize begining in round one.  Second and third place teams will begin territorializing in round two.  Fourth and fifth place teams will begin territorializing in round three.   

        4.6 Natural Hockey League general managers may move their franchise to any counterpart National Hockey League team not currently owned by another Natural Hockey League general manager.  In order to accomplish this, the general manager must acquire fifteen (15) players from that counterpart team and state his intention to relocate to the commissioner.  A general manager, upon doing this, may not again relocate his franchise for a minimum of three (3) full seasons.

5.0 STRATEGY SHEETS

        All games will be four line games.  Six defensemen will be used.  Line changes will occur after the 8, 15, and 23^rd action cards in period one and the 7^th, 15^th and 22^nd action cards in the second period.  Defensemen will be changed at every forward line change during the first two periods.  In the 3^rd period forward lines will change after the 10^th and 20^th action cards and defensemen will change after the 15^th action card.  All players will be limited to positions stated on their cards.  Centers may play either wing in short-handed or 4 on 4 situations.  Defensemen may only play the side listed on their card.  During the first two periods one defense pair may play a second shift.  This second shift may not be consecutive. In the second period, the pair that played the extra shift in period one may not do so again.  In the third period you need only play three forward lines and two defense pairs.   In the event of overtime during the regular season, you will use two forward lines and two defense pairs.  All skaters will change after the 4^th action card.  Regular season overtime is 8 action cards.  During the playoffs use third period procedures for any overtime periods.

        5.1 In the event of a major penalty, use the player in the vacated position who is next in that teams rotation.  EXAMPLE- The home LD and the visiting RW get into a fight on the 4th shift of the period.  Use the LD and RW that are from the 1st shift.  If this occurs on the 2nd shift, use the players assigned to the 3rd shift, etc...  If this occurs in the third period or overtime, these subs come from benched players.

        5.2 Strategy sheets must include the following instructions:

        -4 forward lines, 6 defensemen and their rotation by period for the first two periods.

        -3 forward lines, 4 defensemen and their rotation for the third period.

        -2 forward lines, 4 defensemen and their rotation during regualr season overtime.

        -2 complete power play units, including point men.  If you use a forward at the point, that player may not play forward on a power play unit until that unit is eligible again.  ie;  NO player may play consecutive power plays unless you are invoking your once per game option.  That option is considered forfeited if even one player is used consecutively.  Include under what conditions you wish to use your once per game back to back option.

        -2 complete penalty killing units, including defensemen.  Include short-handed strategy such as, when to ice, skate, pass, shoot, intimidate or use your once per game back to back option.

        -Who will take face-offs in all situations.  Designate who fills in in the event your main guy is given the heave-ho by the linesman.

        -Who and when to intimidate.

        -Which players on each line to use in 4 on 4, 3 on 3, 4 on 3 and 5 on 3 situations when all your forwards are eligible.

        -When to pull the goalie.  Fatigue?, one goal game? Designate your sixth attacker.  Also designate an alternate 6th attacker in case your first choice is already on the ice.

        -Whether to shoot, pass or penetrate in outside shot situations at even strength, power play and short-handed situations.

        -When to invoke the DEFLECT? option.

        -Whether or not to shoot at your opponents empty net.

        -Offense/Defense modes.

        -Who gets the puck control in x-any D player situations

        -You must designate a backup goalie.  You may never want your starter pulled, but if he receives a game misconduct, he must be replaced..

Realize once again, that anything not covered by you from the above checklist gives your opponent a license to manage to his advantage!

6.0 SCHEDULE

        The league will provide a calendar of events prior to the start of the new season.

        6.1 The regular season will consist of 82 games.  Each team will play 41 home games and 41 on the road.  Games may be played in any order, but must be reported by league specified dates.  Report only on games played through the segment in question.

        6.2 Playoff structure is similar to the National Hockey League. 

        6.2a Round One, Divisional Playoff : Division winners get a first-round bye.  The second and third place teams of each division play each other.

        6.2b Round Two, Divisional Finals : The regular season division winner plays the first round survivor of its divisional playoff.

        6.2c Round Three, Conference Finals : the two remaining teams in each conference face each other.

        6.2d Round Four, Steely Cup Finals : The conference winners compete for the Steely Cup Championship.

        6.3 All playoff series are best-of-seven.  Home ice advantage goes to the team with more regular-season points.  If tied in points, tie breakers are, in order : most wins, best head-to-head record, total goal differential, total goals.  A team with home-ice advantage hosts games 1, 2, 5 and 7.

       6.3 When face-to-face play cannot be accommodated, managers may play their first three home games in a given series by themselves.  If a game seven is necessary it will be played by a neutral coach from the opposite conference who does not have a playoff team whenever face-to-face play is not possible.  This rule may be waived ONLY by agreement of BOTH general managers involved in the series and the subsequent approval of the commissioner.

7.0 STATISTICS At the conclusion of each segment of the Natural Hockey League schedule, each general manager will submit a compilation of his season-to-date statistics to the commissioner.  With the use of the hockey utility, GMs will e-mail a zipped file containing all home game export files at the conclusion of each segment.

        7.1  All statisitics tracked by the hockey utility will be reported.  The commissioner will distribute league files as necessary to keep all members up-to-date with league standings and statistics.   

8.0 PLAYING RULES All players are limited to the number of games played on their cards.

        8.1 All players are limited to the position(s) listed on their cards.  Defensemen may only play the side(s) listed on their cards.  Of course, centers may play either wing in short-handed or 4 on 4 situations.

        8.2 Only forwards whom are rated to do so may play the point on the power play.  Players will follow Strat-O-Matic point usage rules.  If a player is used at the point on one power play, he may not play ANY position on the next power play unless you are invoking your once per game option to use a power play unit back-to-back.

        8.3 In shot situations that call for ANY PLAYER, you must select the player with the highest offense rating.  Break ties in order of SHOTS ON GOAL listed on the players card and rotate throughout the game.  If a player is intimidated off the puck or otherwise fails to register a shot on goal, he remains at the top of the rotation for any player shot purposes.  This rule is so that we realize, as closely as possible, realistic shot distribution. 

        8.4 In shot situations that call for a shot by ANY PLAYER WITH OFFENSE RATING n OR MORE , any player whose offense rating matches or exceeds n is eligible unless he has already taken an any player shot.  As in rule 8.3 above, rotate players throughout the game based on SHOTS ON GOAL.  Shots on goal determines ALL any player shooting situations.  Never can a coach designate this shooter.

        8.5 If a pass goes to a player-less position due to penalties, a loose puck situation is the result.  Do not refer to the position in parenthesis. The exception is if the position is covered by an opponent.  EXAMPLE- Team A is short-handed and their left wing completes a pass to the center position, the powerplay teams (TEAM B) center takes possession of the puck.

        8.6 If an inside shot occurs to a player-less position in which an opponents intimidation rating is called for, the intimidator assumes control of the puck.  The exception to this rule is if the intimidator called for is also a player-less position.  If this occurs a loose puck situation is the result.

        8.7 When using a sixth attacker for a pulled goaltender, that player becomes the ANY PLAYER for your team in all situations while being used as the sixth attacker.  He MUST satisfy all requirements brought against the ANY PLAYER position.  EXAMPLE- You are using a player with an OFFENSE rating of 3 and you pull a card from the split deck for a rebound that says, offense any player 4 or more, the defensive team will take possession of the rebound.  This rule also applies to DEFENSIVE situations as well.  In short-handed / 4 on 4 / 4 on 3 situations where a goalie is pulled the sixth attacker fills the vacant position.

        8.8 When penetrating against a player-less position, refer to the against short-handed section of the penetration chart.

        8.9 If a player not playing his primary position (position listed first on his card) completes a pass to the position he is occupying, that pass goes to the position listed first on the passers card.

        8.A Line shifts will be divided by an 8,7,8,7 action card split for the 1st period and a 7,8,7,8 action card split during the 2nd period.  The 3rd period will see forwards changed every 10 cards and defensemen changed after 15 action cards.

        8.B If a regular season game is tied after three periods, the teams will play a five minute (8 action cards) overtime period.  All forwards and defensemen will be changed after the 4th action card.  During the playoffs, overtime periods will be full 20 minute (30 action card) sessions until one team scores.  The line changes during playoff overtimes will be conducted at third period intervals.  Again, no point is awarded for an overtime loss.

        8.C Any shot on goal at an empty net is considered a goal.

        8.D The time of all overtime goals shall be recorded on the scoresheet.

        8.E A short-handed player may skate successfully a maximum of twice per puck possession.

        8.F Two dice rolls will be used to determine penalties.  The first will determine whether the defender is to receive a penalty.  The second to determine whether or not there is a retaliatory penalty by the offense.

        8.G All rules not specifically covered by this document are governed by National Hockey League and Strat-O-Matic super advanced hockey rules.

        8H. In power play situations, the short-handed team uses all defensive ratings found in parenthesis.  If a player is a defense 3(4), then his opponent defense 14 becomes takes away puck, conversely, if a player has a defense rating of 3 (2) his defense 13 becomes outside shot.

        8I. When a winger takes the face-off, the puck goes to the center should the winger win the draw to his own position.  Example- Your left wing will take the face-off over your center. The face-off results in a reading that would give the puck to your left wing.  If this occurs, your center takes control of the puck.

        8J. If a pass is completed by a player to his own primary position ( as in 8.9 above), the player designated to intimidate will have the opportunity for the intimidation chance.

        8K. If a player-less position is asked for an intimidation rating, NO intimidation will occur.

        8L. A player with an intimidation rating of zero (0) will not be allowed to attempt to take away the puck.

        8M. On an intimidation opponent reading, if the number on the bottom right of the action card is 21-30, use the appropriate defenseman.  When using the utility to play your game click on CHARTS at the top of the screen and select PENETRATION.  Click on the 30 button found in the middle of the window.  1-20 results in the player opposite the puck carrier being challenged.  21-25 results in the defensive LD being challenged and 26-30 results in the defensive RD being challenged.

        8N. On an opponent defense reading, if the number on the bottom right of the action card is 21-30, use the appropriate defenseman. When using the utility to play your game click on CHARTS at the top of the screen and select PENETRATION.  Click on the 30 button found in the middle of the window.  1-20 results in the player opposite the puck carrier being challenged.  21-25 results in the defensive LD being challenged and 26-30 results in the defensive RD being challenged.

        8O. On a lose to opponent reading, if the number on the bottom right of the action card is 21-30, use the appropriate defenseman. When using the utility to play your game click on CHARTS at the top of the screen and select PENETRATION.  Click on the 30 button found in the middle of the window.  1-20 results in the player opposite the puck carrier taking over control.  21-25 results in the defensive LD taking over control and 26-30 results in the defensive RD taking control.

        8P. When penetrating against a player-less position, give the puck to either defensive defenseman if the penetration fails.

        8Q. If a goal is scored on a five minute power play, give the power play team another power play opportunity.  EXAMPLE- If a team scores twice on a 5 minute major, they will have gone 2 for 3 on the powerplay.

        8.R Injuries are not used in the Natural Hockey League.       

9.0 LEAGUE DISCIPLINE Natural Hockey League general managers are required by the terms of this document to report any problems to the commissioner for resolution.  Failure to do so can result in dismissal of the offending general manager.

        9.1 The following will be used as a guideline for league discipline:

        - Late mailings such as rosters, instructions, results and statistics, or any other document required by the league will result in the following penalties:

                        one to seven days late: 2 points

                        Eight to fourteen days late: 5 points

                        More than fourteen days late: 5 points plus one point for each additional day past fourteen.        

                        Postmark dates and/or electronic date and time stamps will be used to determine lateness of mailings.  This includes e-mailing the above.  No grace period will be granted whether e-mailing, snail mailing or otherwise delivering required documents.

        -Failure to follow your opponents strategy sheet, provided it is within Natural Hockey League and Strat-O-Matic super advanced rules guidelines, will result in three penalty points per offense.

        -Failure to provide the league with complete, competitive, instructions for your opponents will result in three penalty points.  This rule will also cover the use of more than the allowable number of pages on your instructions.

        -Player overuse will result in five penalty points per player per game of overuse.

        -Failure to submit regular season totals to the commissioner on time will result in ten penalty points.

        9.2 Penalty points will be accumulated from the close of the playoffs of one season to the close of the playoffs the following season and will result in the penalties set forth below:

                5 POINTS- Loss of ability to territorialize.

                10 POINTS- No territorialization rights and the loss of your 4th round draft choice.

                15 POINTS- No territorialization rights and the loss of your 3rd round draft choice.

                20 POINTS- No territorialization rights and the loss of your 2nd round draft choice.

                25 POINTS- No territorialization rights and the loss of your 1st round draft choice.

Accumulation of more than 25 penalty points will result in a review of your status in the Natural Hockey League.  Combinations of the penalties above may be used where applicable, but offenses of 25 or more points could result in your dismissal from the league.  If you are assessed a draft choice penalty and you do not own a pick in that round, you will be penalized your next highest pick.  If you are assessed a draft choice penalty and you have more than one pick in that round, the penalized pick will be the one that is highest in the round.

        9.3 All penalties described herein are administered at the discretion of the commissioner.  There is no appeal process.

10.0 Awards The Natural Hockey League will recognize individual achivements during the season and playoffs with the following awards.