Vermont State Amateur Hockey Association

The information below pertains to all VSAHA registered programs and teams. 

As you may already know, USA Hockey has had a helmet rule on the books for several years which has required all USA Hockey certified coaches and volunteers to wear helmets when they are on the ice.  The failure to follow this rule results in a mandatory 30-day suspension from all activities involving USA Hockey registered programs.

See USAH Rules and Regulation - Coaching Education Program in the USA Hockey’s Annual Guide.

 "All ice hockey coaches and instructors of registered USA Hockey Youth 18 & Under and below, high school, girls’/women’s 19 & under and below, and disabled programs must properly wear an approved ice hockey helmet during all on-ice sessions, including practices, controlled scrimmages and all Coaching Education Program clinics and/ or workshops. Failure to comply will result in a 30 day suspension from all activities involving USA Hockey registered programs. "

Pursuant to these rules VSAHA will enforce them as follows:

• Any complaint concerning violation of these rules must be made using the provided link.
• All complaints will be reviewed by the Chair of the VSAHA Rules Committee.
  • After review the complaint will be referred to the relevant program for action and enforcement of the rule.
• The program must report back to the Rules Committee Chair on the action it has taken and the said Chair will keep records of same and follow up as necessary.

The penalty is mandatory.  There is no discretion involved in the matter, however, as this is a disciplinary matter, the offending party has a right to a hearing. The hearing must be held by the program before it invokes the penalty. The offending party has a right to appeal pursuant to the provisions of USA Hockey Bylaw 10.
 
All complaints to be considered must have the following:

• Name of the complaining party, along with their contact information.
• Information sufficient to identify the offending individual.
  • Can Include:
    • Name and contact information.
    • Program he/she is associated with.  
    • Date, time and place of the violation.
• Real evidence of the incident, such as a photograph, must be included with the complaint in order for it to be actionable.

If the identity of the individual violating the rule is clear, the Chair of the Rules Committee may, in their sole discretion, issue a summary suspension pursuant to the provisions of USA Hockey Bylaw 10.

This rule is for the safety of all and VSAHA requires it be complied with by all.

Please direct questions to: