This article provides a comprehensive overview of the rules and regulations governing NARCh (North American Roller Championship Hockey) roller hockey tournaments. It covers essential aspects such as team roster requirements, player eligibility, and guidelines for coaches, photographers, and videographers.
Team Roster Rules
The following rules apply to team rosters in NARCh tournaments:
- Roster Submission: Teams are required to submit an official roster form to their league representative by the deadline set by said representative in each region.
- Roster Capacity: Teams are permitted a maximum of 24 active players.
- Player Information: All players must have a unique uniform number. There shall never be players on an active roster with the same number.
- Roster Changes: Teams may add or drop players up to the start of their 11th game or when they cross the 50% threshold of their season (if different from the standard 20 game season).
- Franchise Players: All teams must franchise their top 8 players and one goaltender (subject to league review).
- Roster Creation: Any franchise players from the previous season may not be registered down the following season. The league has final roster approval and could choose to allow this under some circumstances.
- Roster Movement: Players may move up or down within an organization until they have become playoff eligible in any division. Franchise players cannot play down from their rostered division ever.
- Playoff Eligibility: Players must play in 50% of games to be eligible for the playoffs.
WINTERNATIONALS Registration
To properly register your team for WINTERNATIONALS, all paperwork needs to be handed in at the same time, fully completed, before the 2nd game!
Required documents and information:
- Roster/Waiver Form: Properly filled out, signed, with RHA Forms and Fee attached for those that do not already have the RHA Yearly Membership.
- Youth Proof of Age: For all youth divisions, players must show proof of their date of birth to ensure that they are eligible for the division they are playing if they are not on the current POA LIST. Copies of birth certificates, drivers license, and passports are all acceptable forms.
The Roster/Waivers are fillable forms. Please type and print. You can find the forms here:
Read also: Snowmobile Conversion for Rollerskis
If a player is not on the RHA Yearly List, they will need to purchase the weekend membership at the event. RHA Weekend Form.
Connor Bedard Roller Hockey Highlights
Important Announcements and Reminders for Tournaments
Here are some important announcements and reminders to ensure everyone is well-informed during NARCh tournaments:
- Only ROSTERED Coaches are allowed on the benches! A maximum of 3 coaches are allowed.
- Absolutely no photographers or videographers that are not part of the NARCh Staff are permitted on the benches or the designated NARCh STAFF Only Areas. If this is a repeated issue, a bench minor may be applied.
- Everyone is encouraged to share their special NARCh Moments on social media but behind the glass for your own safety.
- Action Shots Photography is the official tournament photography company capturing all the game action.
Live Streaming
Many rinks used for NARCh FINALS have LIVEBARN. Keep in mind, NARCh does not own or run LIVEBARN, so while it is usually a great feed, it has been known to have glitches at times.
NARCh will be LIVESTREAMING the NARCh Pro Divisions on their NARCh YOUTUBE PAGE (COREY RINK ONLY) as well as play-by-play and other features.
RHA Yearly Membership
To participate in NARCh tournaments, players often need to be members of the Roller Hockey Alliance (RHA). The RHA Yearly Member List can be found at [RHA Yearly Member List]. If a player is not on this list, they will need to purchase a weekend membership at the event.
Read also: Roller Hockey Skates: A Nike Bauer Retrospective
Youth Proof of Age: For all youth divisions, players must show proof of their date of birth to ensure eligibility. Acceptable forms include copies of birth certificates, driver's licenses, and passports.
Summary of Key Rules
To provide a quick reference, here is a summary of key rules discussed in this article:
| Rule Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Roster Submission | Teams must submit official roster forms by the specified deadline. |
| Roster Capacity | Maximum of 24 active players per team. |
| Player Uniforms | All players must have unique uniform numbers. |
| Roster Changes | Allowed until the start of the 11th game or 50% of the season. |
| Coach Restrictions | Only rostered coaches (max 3) allowed on benches. |
| Photographer/Videographer Restrictions | Only NARCh staff allowed on benches or designated areas. |
| Playoff Eligibility | Players must participate in 50% of games to be eligible for playoffs. |
Read also: Grand Rapids Rinks and Spots