We’ve placed this at the top because it reflects one of the core principles of our league.
Dee 3-on-3 is built on fairness, teamwork, and fun. There are no coaches on the benches. Players manage their own line changes and are expected to work together to ensure fair and equal playing time for everyone. Long shifts and uneven rotations take away from the experience and are not in the spirit of this league.
Teams are expected to aim for equal playing time at all times. Parents, please reinforce this at home and remind your players to rotate fairly and include everyone. When everyone plays, everyone benefits — and everyone has more fun.
Just as importantly, respect within teams is non-negotiable. Bullying, exclusion, or unkind behavior toward teammates will not be tolerated. Players who do not follow the fair play and respect guidelines will receive a warning from Dee 3-on-3 staff. If the behavior continues, further action will be taken, which may include removal from the league for the remainder of the season.
This league exists to give kids a fun, positive hockey experience. We take these principles seriously, and we expect all players and families to do the same.
Each game consists of a warm-up (4 minutes) and two 12-minute periods* per game (running clock, only stoppages for injuries).
*The period length may be shortened or extended based on how the games flow. The goal is to maximize the ice time but not at the expense of going over, as we must stay on schedule to be within our ice reservation.)
Goalies on the Clock side will switch nets between periods; Teams on the Lobby side will switch ends/nets.
When the goalie covers the puck, the goalie or referee will blow the whistle and put the puck behind the net. The opposing team must “tag up” at half-ice before forechecking and not engage until the puck has crossed the goal line.
NO SLAPSHOTS. This includes during the game and in warmups. If a slapshot results in a goal, the goal will be waived off.
NO CHECKING.
No offsides or icing called.
Any puck shot out of play goes to the opposing team behind their net. If ruled intentional (at referee’s discretion), will result in penalty shot for opposing team.
All penalties result in a penalty shot. The player who draws the penalty is the player who takes the penalty shot, as long as they aren’t injured. (For example, if #1 gets tripped and a penalty is called, #1 takes the penalty shot. If #1 gets injured in that play, one of the other two players on the ice can take the shot for them.)
Three penalties in one game (per player) will result in a disqualification of that player for remainder of game.
Win - 2 pts
Loss - 0 pts
Tie - 1 pt
Win percentage then GAA will be monitored to keep standings between goalies.
It is the responsibility of each team to ensure they will have enough players to play on a given night. If you know in advance that your child will be absent, please let your teammates know as soon as possible.
Teams can use substitute players in the same age division who are registered for the 2025 season. 12U players cannot play as subs in the 10U division. Under no circumstances may unregistered players play as subs.
If a team has four (4) or fewer players available on a given night, a team may add subs while keeping the following in mind:
Teams are asked to use common sense and judgment when choosing subs. The spirit of the substitution is not a license to load up a team with players who are not comparable to the ones who are absent. If this becomes an issue, teams will lose their privilege to add subs without League approval.
If a team needs help finding a substitute player, the League management can help upon request.
No substitute players are allowed for the championship playoffs.
All eight teams and goalies will participate in the final championship night, placed in the bracket by seed.
Standings (by total points) will be used to seed teams for playoffs on final night. Seeding will be determined as follows in the event of tied teams:
1st tiebreaker: head-to-head points
2nd tiebreaker: goal differential
3rd tiebreaker: coin toss
In the event of a tie during playoffs, the goalie with the higher seed will advance.
If a game is tied during playoffs, a two-person shootout will be used. Teams will shoot on the same net and rotate goalies so that each goalie will face both teams twice. If tied after the two-person shootout, a sudden death shootout will commence with goalies rotating rounds until a winner is found. Every player must shoot before repeating shooters. Goals do not count against the goalie's totals.
Rules updated 02/18/26