TOPIC ONE
Address Body Checking
Head Shots - zero tolerance
Pushing / Hitting from Behind
• Body Checking is clearly addressed in the rule book. I would only see adding something with respect to head hits; they will be clearly prohibited and dealt with as severely as checking from behind.

3. BODY CHECKING –
a) Body Checking is not allowed period, anyone who throws a body check will receive a double roughing penalty (double minor – 2 X 2 minutes = 4 minutes) and a 10 minute misconduct (to be served after the penalty). A person who receives a second body check penalty in one game will receive a 5 minute major and game misconduct and an automatic 1 game suspension.
b) Body checking from behind will result in a five minute penalty, an automatic game misconduct and an automatic 2 game suspension.
c) Fence Checking - any body-checking, body contact or pushing near a fence or sides will be called checking immediately. Referees are to call an automatic 5 minute major penalty and 10 minute misconduct to those checking near the fences. Repeat offenders will be dealt with as above and any serious infractions will be dealt with via suspension.
d) Attempts to layout major body checks will result in a 2 minute penalty and 5 minute misconduct, a second attempted body check will result in a 4 minute double minor and game misconduct.
e) Cross Checking a player from behind, i.e. using your stick and hitting a player from behind will be considered body checking and the player will receive the penalty as mentioned above in point a.

TOPIC 2
Reduce Lopsided Trades / Trading of Picks? Why

• Trades have already been reduced to almost the bare minimum. However, they continue to happen. As long as there is a team that is out and has no hope it will continue. I would like to hear more thoughts on trades. I personally am fine with the way it is now, dumb teams are limited in mortgaging the future. But shitty teams will continue to trade top talent for any scraps that are being offered. I could see banning “Lottery Protection”. I want to hear more before I decide.

TOPIC 3
Making the Right Call - use all resources
Better Referees - limit who can ref
Making More Calls - call it by the book
• There has been reluctance upon referees to make all the calls, whether it be to just let players play or fear or lack of confidence. We will make more attempts this season to coach referees on how to do their jobs better. I would support the use of all resources to make the right call, including asking those not involved in officiating. I personally do, and don’t see a problem. Bottom line the right call has to be made.
• Also, more calls. I would love to hear ideas on how we would do this? We need to start calling things before they get out of hand. I don’t give a shit if the flow is screwed up.

TOPIC 4
Team Colors - 1st day implementation
• Almost agreed, it will be in place starting week #2. Your colors are announced, you have one week grace and week 2, no color no play.

TOPIC 5
Game Start Times - harsher
• The rule is there, very clear and very precise, now its up to captains and referees to enforce. I will personally be more vigilant in this, remember I was away for a good month last season.

TOPIC 6
Shoot Out Expansion - go to five shooters
Review of OT rules - do we just end in tie?
• I would not like to go to five shooters as it would increase the time slightly. I know the point about getting more guys involved, but there is a 50 minute game for that.
• I wouldn’t mind seeing ties again, and scrapping the shoot out all together. We try to mimic what happens in real like, but who says we have to? I will decide something on this soon. It will be impacted by why I feel about Topic 7

TOPIC 7
Regular Season Points System - what about 3 points for regulation win
• If we keep the shoot-out I am going to move to the following point distribution
• 3 points for a win in regulation, 2 points for a win in OT/Shootout and 1 point for loosing in OT or Shoot-Out.
• That way there are 3 points awarded per game, currently there are either 2 point games (regulation) and 3 point games (OT). Not ideal.

TOPIC 8
Delay of Game (taking the ball out)
• Here is the rule, what else can we do. Personally, its very tough to call. Big time judgement involved. Would like to hear your thoughts?

16. OUT OF BOUNDS – (a) When the ball gets stuck in the fence or bushes, possession and room will be given to the player who is there first. If there is a dispute as to who is there first, it is solely up to the referee to either give possession to a particular team or call a face-off. (b) Players who take the ball out of play (towards the benches, spectators etc.) are NOT to be given room or time to bring it in. The opposing team is well within their rights to pursue the ball and continue playing. If the ball was shot out or the play was forced outside then room should be provided. Again, if there is any dispute the referee will be responsible for calling it either a team’s possession, room, continue play or face-off. (c) For the definition of room please refer to Section 3.4 - ROOM.

Teams that clearly take the ball out of the play to buy time or space will loose possession from that point. The referee will call the play dead and signal the play on again. The opposing team will have possession from the place the team takes it out. If players continue this type of behaviour the referee is to call a 2 minute delay of game penalty to the player.

TOPIC 9
FA Cup Style Tourney
• Yes like this idea, could replace the all-star game. Maybe stay with current teams or pick 3 teams from a pool of all-stars.
• Gary mentioned something for friends that are no longer with us. I will explore and let you know what we do.

TOPIC 10
Penalty Box Outside of Courts
• Excellent idea, it will be implemented this coming season.

TOPIC 11
Harsher Suspensions
Address Dirty Plays
• Suspensions have been harsh and more consistent the past few seasons. Players b###h and complain about what they receive even though they know what they have done. No one seems to understand the severity of their actions. I take the brunt of this criticism and have tried to involve other people in the final decision. I will continue to do so; everything is thought-out with the aim to make the league safer. I will review all current suspendalbe offences, add as many automatic suspensions (to take our discretion out) and see if we can increase suspensions on certain acts. I will advise of all changes in the rule release.

TOPIC 12
Any High Stick Causing Blood - suspend-able
• This is a tough one, right now you do it by accident you are given a game misconduct, if it happens late in a game then you miss the next game. If you have two accidental ones then you also receive an automatic one gamer. Don’t think I can do anything more here.

TOPIC 13
Larger Playing Surface
• Although it would be desirable, unless we change locations its not happening. Does someone have a tool to make it happen?
• We are not moving, so unless the playing surface can be altered we are playing this way for now.

TOPIC 14
Address Players Arguing (unsportsmanlike) - leads to more things
• This somewhat relates to topic 3 on refereeing, its up to the referee to make these unsportsmanlike calls. Its there in the rule book, all to often it’s the referee arguing with the captains. Referees need to stay emotionally neutral, its tough to do. But it’s the best way
• Players arguing with each other could be a good point, maybe warning first then penalty. Yes it does lead to other stuff.
• I will add something.

TOPIC 15
Even Longer Playoff Series
• We just moved to an expanded format, depending on teams and season length this may not be possible. Lets keep it the way it is now and look at it again next season. I think it worked well the way it was this season.

TOPIC 16
Make Rule Book Bullet Form - would be easier to read
• Yes, agreed. I will try to do this for this coming season.

TOPIC 17
Increased Fines
• I agree with Poon, fines will be added to many of the more serious suspendable offences. They will be automatic and set in the rule book.