Constitution

 THE JACK ADAMS MEMORIAL HOCKEY LEAGUE CONSTITUTION

REVISED February 2024 for the 2022-23 season

 SECTION 100: LEAGUE NAME, RULES CHANGES

1. This league shall be known as the Jack Adams Memorial Hockey League (the JAMHL).

2. The JAMHL requires the use by its members of the Strat-O-Matic Hockey (SOMH) computer game, provided that games are not auto-played and that the home-ice advantage rule is not used. Members are responsible for purchasing the latest version of the Strat-O-Matic Hockey computer game after it gets released every year.

3. Additional rules or changes to this Constitution may be adopted from time to time by a vote of all league members. To change or replace an existing JAMHL or SOMH rule or add a new rule that does not contradict an existing JAMHL rule, the support of a three-quarters majority of all eligible voters shall be required to enact the proposal. Only JAMHL coaches shall be entitled to vote on proposed changes. All proposals shall be submitted in writing or by e-mail for consideration, and no proposal shall be voted upon unless it receives at least two seconds. Each coach shall be limited to a maximum of two proposals voted upon per season.

4. The JAMHL shall consist of 20 teams, which shall be aligned in two conferences, with each conference containing two divisions of five teams each. The Esposito Conference will include the Salming and Tretiak Divisions, while the Mullen Conference will include the Potvin and Stastny Divisions. Each team shall play the other teams in its division eight times during the regular season (4 home/4 road), non-division teams in their conference six times per season (3 home/3 road), and teams in the other conference 2 times per season (1 home/1 road), for a total of 82 regular season games.

SECTION 200: COMMISSIONER, OFFICERS

1. There shall be one permanent officer of the JAMHL: the Commissioner.

2. The Commissioner's duties shall include:

a. Interpretation of the provisions set forth in this Constitution.

b. Publishing season schedules, season instructions, e-mail updates, statistics and this Constitution, either in paper form, by electronic mail or on an authorized website.

c. Final decision on approval or dismissal of league members, subject to provisions of this Constitution.

d. Proposal of changes in league policy or operations, or in this Constitution, if he deems it beneficial to the JAMHL.

e. Approval or rejection of trades based on fairness, stability and smooth operation of the JAMHL and each franchise within it.

f. Taking disciplinary action against JAMHL members who fail to comply with the provisions of this Constitution, including dismissal from the JAMHL in extreme cases.

g. Organizing and conducting the rookie/free agent draft(s); and

h. Conducting a league vote on any proposed change or addition to JAMHL rules or policies.

3. The Commissioner, in his discretion, may delegate any of the preceding duties to an officer or officers selected by him.

4. The Commissioner and any officer may operate teams in the JAMHL.

5. The Commissioner may be removed from office by a three-quarters vote of all league members. Such a vote may be held no more than once per season, and if the Commissioner is removed, or should the Commissioner resign or otherwise be unable to perform his duties, the members will be responsible for electing a successor by a majority vote.

6. The Commissioner may nominate his successor if the Commissioner resigns but said nominee shall be subject to the approval of the members as per Section 200, Rule 5.

SECTION 300: MEMBERSHIP

1. All persons who operate teams in the JAMHL shall be members of the JAMHL.

2. If the Commissioner declares that it is necessary, all league members shall pay dues prior to the beginning of each season. The amount of the dues shall be set by and payable to the Commissioner, who shall also act as league treasurer. Members who join the JAMHL during a season already in progress shall pay pro-rated dues, unless the previous coach for that team paid the dues in full, in which case the new coach shall not pay dues that partial season.

3. Members' responsibilities shall include:

a. Completion of all scheduled regular season games on or ahead of schedule.

b. Submitting all completed game files (.EXP) and boxscores to opposing coaches and the Commissioner on or ahead of schedule.

c. Submission of computer managers (CMs) at the beginning of the season to opposing coaches and the Commissioner and submitting CM changes monthly if necessary.

d. Compliance with CMs from all visiting coaches, except where those CMs contain errors that violate applicable JAMHL rules. The violation must be reported to the opposing coach and the Commissioner by the end of the month in which the game in question is scheduled.

e. Giving adequate notice prior to departure to the Commissioner so that a replacement may be found with a minimum of disruption to JAMHL operations.

4. League members may be dismissed from the JAMHL or disciplined for the following reasons:

-Failure to meet the responsibilities listed above, after warning from the Commissioner.

-Convincing evidence that the member has not been honest in the operation of his team, including, but not limited to, losing games on purpose to improve draft position. Evidence of this shall include benching a superior player for an inferior player for no apparent reason, or submitting instructions clearly intended to produce a loss. This rule shall not apply to good-faith efforts of a member to rebuild or restructure his team, although the short-term effect may be to make the team less competitive.

5. The Commissioner shall have discretion to penalize members for late submission of game files to either the JAMHL or opposing coaches, but in no event shall assess penalties more severe than the following:

            Days Late Maximum Penalty

15 -Note to Coach File, report to the JAMHL e-mail list and/or on the JAMHL website

30 -Loss of 3rd Rd. Pick or equivalent player

45 -Loss of 2nd Round Pick or equivalent player

60 -Loss of 1st Round Pick, or equivalent player, or dismissal of member.

  6. In determining penalties, Commissioner shall follow these guidelines:

-Once a member has received a warning, that coach will be prohibited from making trades until the late game files have been submitted.

-All penalties shall be in writing to the member and shall be posted in the JAMHL e-mail list and/or on the JAMHL website.

-The Commissioner shall impose less severe penalties and/or grant extensions if the member has contacted the Commissioner or statistician to request an extension before the game files are due to be submitted; and

-Once penalties are issued, they shall be rescindable only for a replacement coach.

7. Any coach who receives a warning pursuant to this rule SHALL respond to the Commissioner, or another officer within 2 days by phone or electronic mail, and shall state the following:

-That the warning was received, and

-A date the late statistics will be submitted by.

8. Two or more persons may operate any team. Regardless of the number of coaches a team may have, it will be considered one member for purposes of voting. Each co-coached team must designate a primary coach who will be responsible to the JAMHL for carrying out the duties outlined in this Constitution.

SECTION 400: THE GAME

1. Players shall be limited to the number of games listed on their cards. (In years when the NHL season is shortened for any reason, player usage will be pro-rated by the Commissioner to reflect a full 82-game season.) Each member will be responsible for ensuring that enough players are eligible to play each game. The Commissioner will use his discretion to administer penalties to teams who overuse players. (Penalties for playoff teams will be administered as depicted in Section 600, Rule 6. Penalties for non-playoff teams will be administered on a case-by-case basis.

2. The JAMHL will not use the “Allow Injuries” option.

3. The JAMHL will follow SOMH super-advanced rules as applied in the Strat-O-Matic Hockey computer game except where noted in this Constitution.

4. A team shall dress 18 skaters and 2 goalies for each game. Only players who are dressed prior to a game may play in the game. Players may play only those positions listed on their cards, except that centers may play wing positions as allowed by SOMH rules. Each team must dress skaters at each forward and defense position, and substitute players capable of playing each position. A player can be dressed as a substitute for multiple positions if those positions are listed on his card.

5.    Each team will play 3 offensive lines with line changes coming as mentioned in Section 400, Rule 6. Also, each team shall utilize 5 defensemen on three regular shifts in the first two periods. One of the five defensemen in each of the first two periods will be allowed to play two of the three shifts, but the defenseman who takes two shifts in the first period shall not be allowed to take two shifts in the second period, and vice versa. Each team shall use four defensemen in two shifts in the third period and overtime (if necessary). The 5th defenseman (utilized in periods 1 and 2 but not in period 3/OT) may be utilized as a substitute during any part of the game if necessary. No player may play on more than one regular forward or defensive line (except for the 5th defenseman in periods 1 and 2), although the composition and order of lines may be changed from period to period. No skater listed as playing a regular shift may, during the same period, be listed as a substitute for a player on another line.

NOTE - Effective 2024-25 season, the above rule will change to the following:

In the first and second periods, each team will play 4 forward lines and 3 defensemen pairings. In the third period and overtime, each team will play 3 forward lines and 2 defensemen pairings. Line changes will occur as mentioned in Section 400, Rule 6. No player may play on more than one regular forward or defensive line, although the composition and order of lines may be changed from period to period.

6. The JAMHL will use the “Computer” manager setting for the visiting team and “Computer Lines, Human Decisions” manager setting for all games. (Exception – if two managers are playing head-to-head via Netplay, both managers will use “Computer Lines, Human Decisions”.) Line shifts will be every three cards for forwards and defensemen. All forward lines will double-shift (Example - 1,1,2,2,3,3) for the entire game. Defense pairs will double shift in periods 1 and 2 and triple-shift (Example - 1,1,1,2,2,2) in period 3 and overtime.

7. The JAMHL shall observe SOMH rules for the selection of two power play and penalty-killing units, with the first designated power play and shorthanded units taking the first such shift each period. Per SOMH rules, defensemen may play a defense position not listed on their cards on the power play ONLY. Per SOMH rules, centers may play either wing position while killing penalties. In accordance with SOMH and NHL Rules, the faceoff to begin each power play will be in the offensive zone of the team on the power play. In addition to SOMH rules, forwards with a ** point rating may play the point on either power play unit and forwards with a * point rating may play the point on only the second power play unit.

8. In 4-on-4 situations, the game will automatically switch to the next scheduled even strength lines minus the centers. Home teams can manually insert their center into one of the wing positions if desired.

9. On “any player” shot situations where the “Select Player for Shot” window appears with the number of “any shots” indicated, the player with the highest offense rating must take the shot. If there is a tie, it goes to the highest offense-rated player with the fewest “any shots” taken. If there is still a tie, the home manager may choose among the players involved in the second tie.

10. If after 60 minutes of play the score is tied in a regular season game, one sudden death overtime period will be played. The computer game will utilize a 10-minute OT (5-on-5) using 3rd period line orders. The JAMHL will not use the Super-Advanced shootout option.

11. A goalie may be pulled during delayed penalties (penalties that are a result of a split card) and with three or less cards left in the third period. A goalie may also be pulled with no action cards left in the 1st or 2nd periods by a team with a faceoff in the offensive zone.

12. All players will be limited to the number of games on their cards. A game is counted only if the player goes onto the ice, not if he is dressed but does not play.

13.   The JAMHL will use the following MAX Rules contained in the League Options: Alternate Passing System, Support Low Penalty Minutes, Alternate Penetration System. All other MAX rules will not be used.

SECTION 500: THE SEASON

1. The rookie and free agent draft(s) will be held prior to the start of each regular season. At his discretion, the Commissioner shall hold a free agent draft ("cut draft") between the 32 and 48 game marks, to take effect at the 48-game mark, during which teams at or over the 30-man roster limit will be required to cut one player for every player they draft. Teams shall draft in reverse order of points scored the prior season, with team wins counting for 2 points, ties for 1 point. Drafting is conducted by e-mail list and continues until all lists are exhausted. Participation in the cut draft is optional.

2. Ties in draft point totals will be broken as follows, with the team winning the tiebreaker will draft ahead of team with which it is tied:

a. Fewest wins;

b. Fewest goals scored;

c. Most goals allowed;

d. Smaller difference in actual home and road point totals;

e. Smaller difference in actual home and road victories;

f. Better record in head-to-head play with the other tied team(s);

g. Better record in own conference;

h. Coin toss by Commissioner.

3. After the rookie draft, the Commissioner will set a deadline for teams to submit lists of protected active and inactive players. Teams shall be limited to thirty (30) active players (i.e. carded – Type R or X) and ten inactive (i.e. uncarded – Type C or not included in the season set) players as of that deadline. No more than four of the 30 active players may be goaltenders. Once the league has received the required cuts so that every team has no more than 30 carded players, teams may execute trades that takes them over a 30-man roster, as long as neither team goes over the four-goalie limit. 

4. Teams shall identify all protected active and inactive players to the Commissioner on or before the date set for submitting cuts. Any player, active or inactive, who is owned by a team but is not listed on that team's submitted protected list shall be considered a free agent and shall be available to be drafted by any team prior to any season that player receives a card.

5. A player, whether active or inactive, remains property of his team from season to season unless he is traded, released, taken in an expansion or dispersal draft, or not listed as protected by that team pursuant to Section 500, Rule 4.

6. The regular season will consist of 82 games, divided into five months. Games are considered to be consecutive and are to be played in the month in which they are scheduled.

7. Goalies are limited to the number of games printed on their cards. There shall be no restriction on the number of consecutive games a goalie may start in. (In seasons where the NHL plays fewer than 82 games, usage requirements will be prorated.)

8. Prior to each regular season, each coach must submit to the Commissioner an initial CM for their team. The CM shall include in the file name their team name and the month or months for which the CM is valid, e.g. "Champaign_M1.mgr" or "Champaign_Mo123.mgr". All CMs must be playable without reference to supplemental instructions.

9. Coaches are responsible for informing their opponents of any changes in their instructions, especially in the event of roster changes due to trades. Changes to computer managers from month to month will be handled in this fashion:

• Game results are due on the 5th after the month played. (See Section 500, Rule 10 for details.)

• On the 6th, the Commissioner will send out a preliminary league file.

• Owners wishing to make changes to their CMs have until the 10th after the month played to submit them.

• On the 11th, the Commissioner will send out an official league file for that month.

If a team’s roster has changed at the start of a month and a new set of instructions has not been provided for that team by the 10th day of the month, the Commissioner has the discretion to make roster substitutions on behalf of that team so that the last set of published instructions for that team are valid and can continue to be utilized by opposing coaches.

10. Team owners are required to submit export (.EXP) files and boxscores to the league via e-mail or posting to the league Google Group no later than the fifth day of the month. Late submission of files shall be subject to discipline by the Commissioner as detailed in Section 300, Rule 5.

11. At the end of the season, the two division winners and two wild card teams in each conference will qualify for the Jack Adams Cup Playoffs (see Section 600).

12. Trading is allowed during the season. A trade can only be effective at the end of any month's play period and instructions reflecting a team's changes must be in the hands of the opposing coaches no later than the 10th day of the next month. The coach must also notify opponents that a new CM is coming. The deadline for trades will be the end of the fourth month of games.

SECTION 600: THE PLAYOFFS

1. At the end of the regular season, the two division winners and two wild card teams with the most points in each conference will qualify for the playoffs. Teams will receive two points for a win during regulation or overtime, one point for a tie and no points for a loss of any kind. Ties will be broken in this order:

a. Most victories;

b. Head-to-head record;

c. Most goals scored;

d. Points against conference opponents;

e. Victories against conference opponents;

f. Better goal differential;

g. One game playoff, with the home team chosen by a coin flip by the Commissioner.

2.   The playoffs will be conducted in three best-of-seven rounds:

a.  The playoff teams will be bracketed by conference (Esposito and Mullen) and be seeded 1-4 within their bracket based on overall record.

b.  In the first round, the 1st seed in each conference will host the 4th seed in its own conference and the 2nd seed in each conference will host the 3rd seed in its own conference.

c.  In the second round, the remaining teams in each bracket will play each other with home-ice advantage going to the teams with more regular season points.

d.  In the Jack Adams Cup Finals, the Esposito bracket winner will play the Mullen bracket winner, with home-ice advantage going to the team with more regular season points.

3. In each playoff series, the team with the higher point total in the regular season will have home ice advantage, and will play games 1, 2, 5, and 7 at its home rink.

4. The number of games a skater is eligible to play in the playoffs shall be determined by dividing the number of games on his card by 3 and rounding all fractions up. Goalies are eligible to play in each series the number of games equal to their fatigue factor; goalies will a fatigue factor of 7 or greater will be eligible to play in all playoff games. The number of games a player is eligible may also be reduced by suspension for overplay during the regular season issued under Rule 6 of this Section. (In seasons where the NHL plays fewer than 82 regular season games, the Commissioner may adjust these requirements.)

5. A player must be on a team's roster before the beginning of the season's fifth month to be eligible to play for that team in the playoffs.

6. Any player who plays more games in the regular season than he is eligible for shall have the number of games overplayed deducted from that player's total number of games eligible for playoff competition that season.

7. If the score is tied after three periods of a playoff game, the teams will play 20-minute overtime periods until a goal is scored. Twenty (20)-minute overtime periods during the playoffs are treated as regular periods; special rules governing 10-minute overtime periods do not apply. If a coach does not designate lines to play during playoff overtime periods, the opposing or designated coach shall play according to that team's third period instructions.

SECTION 700: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

1. Conference/divisional realignment shall take place upon a ¾ majority vote of the league members if such a realignment is proposed and seconded in accordance with Section 100, Rule 3.

2. Each team must have a nickname that does not duplicate, in name and locale, an existing professional sports franchise. The Commissioner must approve team names. Each team must be based in an U.S. or Canadian municipality, although a state, provincial, or regional name may be used if another team does not use it. A team may change its name or location during the first month of the season, with the change being retroactive to the start of the season.

3. In order for a trade to be valid, it must identify the players or draft picks to be exchanged and must state when it is to take effect. Prior to consideration and ruling by the Commissioner, the trade must be submitted via e-mail directly to the Commissioner by both coaches. Only the Commissioner is permitted to announce trades to the entire league.

4. An uninvolved member chosen by the commissioner and whose ruling shall be binding shall review all trades made by the Commissioner.

5. Trades can consist of any active or inactive players and/or draft picks for the upcoming two drafts. Future considerations shall not be allowed, and any trades made which are deemed to be an attempt to maneuver around this restriction shall be voided.

6. No team may trade a draft pick more than one season in advance of that draft. Once the rookie draft has completed, teams may trade draft picks from the next two drafts.