FPHL Announce Rule Changes Ahead of 2024-25 Season Openers

Binghamton NY - The Federal Prospects Hockey League has announced that the Board of Governors has approved some new rule and changes for the 2024-25 FPHL Season.  The 2024-25 FPHL Rulebook has been Officially Released and is now available.          Link:   2024-25 FPHL RULEBOOK         The new season kicks off Friday October 11th. 


The following changes and additions have been added to the Official FPHL Rulebook:

Changes to discipline for the Following:
Lewd & Inappropriate Gestures – Any player caught during the game (either on or off the ice by an official or if evidence shows in a review) giving a lewd gesture of a threatening, demeaning, or sexual nature shall be assessed the following disciplinary action:

- 1st Offense (Category 1) - player will be assessed a 2 game suspension “per each offense” during that stoppage or incident and the team will have their eighteen-man game night roster reduced by one (1) player per occurrence until such time the suspension(s) expire.

Multiple infractions on the same stoppage or incident shall result in a category 1 offense (for a first time offender) and will result in a 2 game suspension for each offense but it does not rise to a category 2 offence.

- 2nd Offense (Category 2) - player will be assessed a 4 game suspension “per each offence” Head Coach will be assessed a 1 game suspension and the team will have their eighteen-man game night roster reduced by one (1) player per occurrence until such time the suspension(s) expire.

Multiple infractions on the same stoppage or incident shall result in a category 2 offense (for a repeat offender) and will result in a 2 game suspension for each offense but it does not rise to a category 3 offence.

- 3rd Offense (Category 3) – player will be assessed a 365-day suspension, Head Coach will be assessed a 3 game suspension (This will be appealable to BOG).

Any player with multiple infractions on the same stoppage or incident shall result in a category 1 offense and will disciplines accordingly per the category for each separate offense but it does not rise to a category 2 offence. This applies to both category 1 & category 2 offenses.


Change to the Shoot-Out
5. Shooters – Each organization shall have Three (3) shots in the initial round of the shootout. If, after Three (3) players from each organization, have completed this procedure, the tie has still not been broken, each organization will select an additional shooter(s) who will alternate shots, with the first organization to score without being matched in that round, being declared the winner. The player who scores the decisive goal shall receive credit for a game winning goal. The team may use any player as many times as they wish after the original 3 shooters.


The Board of Governors Unanimously voted for the use of video replay.  Below is the new additions to the league in regards to the use of video replay in the FPHL.

- Video Replay & Policy
Rule 88.1 Video Review – All Teams are “REQUIRED BY THE LEAGUE” to have a fully functional replay system that meets the standards set by the FPHL and its Board of Governors.

Teams are required this season to have the following (at a minimum).

  1.  1 camera at center ice that follows the action of play at all times.
  2.  1 camera located at each end of the arena mounted either above, behind, or inside the goal (total of 2   cameras).
  3.  An iPad or Android Tablet fully functional connected to the replay system so the officials can view any and all angles during a review.
  4.  If the system requires WIFI then there should be a dedicated system so there is no interruption in the system at any time.
  5.  The system shall be tested prior to the game to ensure operation. 
  6.  All instances of mandated replay not available or properly functioning shall be reported to the league office for league discipline.

Parameters for review:

  1.  Review is only to be used to determine whether or not a goal was or was not legally scored.
  2.  Review to determine if goal was kicked, scored by a high stick, goaltender was interfered with, did the puck completely cross the goal line, etc.
  3.  Review cannot be utilized to call a penalty.
  4.  Referees may not use the review system unless a Coach challenges the call on the ice and initiates a review.
  5.  Coaches will have unlimited review challenges. Any challenge that is lost by a coaches challenge would result in a bench minor penalty.
  6.  All OT and Shoot-out Goals will automatically be reviewed. 
  7.  Off-side is not in the parameters for review this season.
  8.  Reviews must show conclusive evidence to overturn a call on the ice.

Sporfie replay systems have been made available to all FPHL teams however teams may choose their own system as long as it complies with the rules and regulations of the FPHL. Teams replay systems must be tested and functional prior to every FPHL game. For all replay reviews, the on-ice officials shall have direct access to a tablet with all accessible game replay feeds. There shall also be a headset available to connect the officials to the video booth to have all feed angles sent to the reviewing device should the team have their own in house system. There should also be direct access to the public address announcer for the officials to give the call on the ice as given per the on ice officials.

The Jumbotron or Video Boards are NOT an acceptable device to review replay nor shall any replay be shown on any screen inside the arena while a replay is in process.

Any replay not functioning or if video staff are unable to get the replay footage to the officials tablet withing 2 minutes of the officials beginning the tablet replay review will result in the replay system being made unavailable to both teams for the remainder of the game. The arena PA announcer will announce all “findings and issues” with the replay system to the fans.

When Replay is Down:

  1. The on-ice officials must be notified immediately if the replay system is not

    functioning.

  2. If the system comes back on-line it may be used if, AND ONLY IF, there has

    been no controversial play requiring video review during the time the system

    was not functioning.

  3. If a play occurs and the coach asks if replay is available, and the system is not

    functioning then no video review will be permitted for the remainder of the game

    regardless of whether the system comes back on-line or not.

  4. If there has been no notification to the officials that the system is not functioning and a coach requests a review only to find out there is no functioning replay, the officials may attempt to find the disputed play on the team YouTube feed. This is ONLY allowed when there has been NO PREVIOUS NOTIFICATION THAT THE SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING. The officials will attempt to review YouTube to the best of their ability and no minor penalty will be assessed to the challenging team regardless of outcome. No further challenges/reviews will be entertained for the remainder of the game. Note 4 is specifically written to prevent a team from shutting down the review system immediately prior to a challenge.

  5. All OT and shoot-out goals will be automatically reviewed for legitimacy. No challenge by the coach is needed.

OT & Shoot-Out Procedure:

  1. Immediately following an OT winning goal, the referees will go to the penalty box and quickly review the goal. The off-ice official in charge of replay should immediately cue up the goal for the referee to review and verify.

  2. On Shootouts, one linesman will be in the penalty box reviewing every shot in real time. The next shooter will proceed when the linesman in the box gives a thumbs-up to his partner on the ice. This will reduce/eliminate any controversy that could arise from a puck hitting the post, crossbar, rebound, double-tap etc.

Reporting & Public Address Announcer:
The officials shall report the review results (Via headset) to the public address announcer and upon moving into position in front of the scorers booth, the official shall signal the call and the announcer shall then immediately announce the review result details over public address.

Should replay not be available before the game, the on-ice officials will be notified and they will notify the coaches of both teams that replay is not available for that game. The PA Announcer will also announce to the fans that replay is not available for that game.

It shall be noted on the scoresheet anytime replay is not available prior to the game or becomes non-functioning during the game. Any team who’s replay is not functioning for any reason shall be reported to the Commissioner of the FPHL for disciplinary action.

88.2 Coach’s Challenge – A coach may challenge the goal ruling of any on-ice official during a game.

1. The team captain must notify the referee that the team wishes to challenge the call on the ice.

2. The referee will ask the head coach specifically what the team would like reviewed per their challenge.

3. Should the on-ice decision stand, the team requesting the review shall be assessed a bench minor for delay of game.

4. Each team will have unlimited coaches challenges during a game.


88.3 Procedure – The following shall take place once the head coach initiates a challenge and use of the replay system.

1. The referee shall inform the off-ice official at ice level and the Public Address Announcer shall announce that “The play is now under review”.

2. When the Referee indicates there is to be a video review, all players (with the exception of the goalkeepers) will go to their respective players’ bench immediately.

3. Once the play has been reviewed and deemed a goal, the goal will be announced in the normal manner.

4. If the review reveals that the goal must be disallowed, the Public Address Announcer shall announce the reason for the disallowed goal as reported by the Referee.

5. During the period of video review, no replay of the situation may be shown on the arena video screens or any other public video monitor.

A challenge MUST be initiated before the play resumes (drop of the puck). After a goal or possible incident of controversy in front of the net, the referee conducting the line change will be sure to allow a moment (within reason) for the coaches to decide if they would like to challenge the play.


The FPHL is a Single-A Minor Professional hockey league that will be operating in its 15th season during 2024-25 Season.