Tournament Rules (section 1)

1. Though this tournament is designed to bring out a high level of competition in its participants, keep in mind that it’s still a game. Practice good sportsmanship and remember most of us need to go to work on Monday, so keep it clean.
2. AEA Commissioner will support any decisions made by any official. No Protest will be permitted. We do ask that you do bring any situation that arises (whether on or off the ice) to our attention for us to review. We want to insure that the right decisions were made and/or prevent a similar situation from happening in the future.
3. NO skaters or pucks are allowed on the ice while the Zamboni is resurfacing. All skaters and pucks must stay off the ice until the Zamboni doors are closed. A two minute delay of game penalty will be given to the offending player(s) to start the game for the infraction of this rule.
4. All participants and spectators will be expected to follow the AEA Zero Tolerance Policy. Those found to be in violation by any of the arena staff, officials or tournament directors will be removed immediately from the tournament and the rink. Lost time will not be put back on to the clock.
5. Damage done to the facility by fans, players or teams will be held responsible for the cost of any property damage resulting from their actions.
6. Captains have your team ready to go at 10 minutes to game time. Game will start promptly when scheduled.
7. No refunds.

Rosters & Team Rules (Section 2)

1. 18 Player Rosters, no more, you may have less.
2. All players must be at least 18 years of age.
3. Captains will be responsible for filling out the online roster information for their teams.
4. A team will forfeit their game if a “non-rostered” player is found to be participating. A “non-rostered” player could be a non-registered, banned or suspended player, a player from another team or bracket. Goalies will have flexibility as long as the AEA Commissioner is aware of the situation. (See Forfeit Rule; Section 9)
5. Captains are instructed to follow the rules set by the AEA Salary Cap System.
6. A team that has been moved up a bracket or removed from a bracket by the AEA Commissioner will only be allowed to play in the newly appointed bracket. Players of a moved/removed team are allowed to participate on other teams as long as the AEA Salary Cap System is not infringed upon. These players may stay together as a team as long as they play as a group in the newly appointed bracket. None of the players from the moved/removed roster will be allowed to captain a team for one full year. (Established: 2018)
7. Jerseys, all teams are expected to bring an alternate color jersey. Teams with full sets of MLS (Men's League Sweaters) will have priority and allowed to wear their jerseys over teams without MLS. If, both teams have MLS, the home team will have first jersey selection. If, there is no conflict in colors and/or one of the teams has an alternate non-color conflicting MLS set, please adjust for the game. If, neither team has MLS jerseys the home team will have have first jersey selection, but if they have an alternate set they are expected to adapt to their opponent's lack of options. (Established 2020)
8. Be prepared to show ID and/or validate your roster status at anytime. (Updated 2020)

Game Play & Time Rules (Section 3)

1. All USA Hockey/MAHA rules apply. (Just like most men’s leagues)
2. Blue line Icing (Established 2020)
3. Slap shots are allowed in all brackets, except COED.
4. NO checking permitted.
5. Fighting is not acceptable at any of the An Edge Above events. Any player(s) engaging in fighting may result in a one (1) year suspension from all An Edge Above tournaments. A second offense may result in a permanent ban from any An Edge Above event.
6. “Extreme” Unsportsmanlike Conduct will be defined as the following; Any player(s) involved in any excessive aggressive and/or violent play/action with the intent to injure a player, official, staff member and/or fan of any An Edge Above event. The offending player will be an immediately banned from any future An Edge Above event. A review will be held to determine if legal actions need and determine if a player will ever be allowed to return to an An Edge Above event.
7. Any player receiving a game misconduct will be automatically be suspended for that game in its entirety and the following game. Reviewed by the AEA Commissioner and/or Tournament Director to “lift” or “enforce” the on ice decisions.
8. A suspended player must leave the playing surface/bench immediately. Any delay in departure could result in future and/or additional disciplinary action.
9. The AEA Commissioner, Tournament Directors and/or game time officials will review all situations and reduce/enforce any additional tournament suspensions if necessary. A team caught playing with a suspended player will forfeit. (See Forfeit Rule; Section 9)
10. Guaranteed 3 Games
11. 12 minute stop clock periods.
12. 5 goal lead, game clock will be converted to run-time. If the game is brought back to a 4 goal differential the game clock goes back to stop clock.
13. 50 minute games. Game can go longer than curfew clock.
14. 4 penalties to any one player will result in that player being removed from the remainder of that game. This player will be allowed to return and participate in the next game.
15. 13 or more penalties between the two teams, the officials will convert the game clock to run-time.
16. AEA Commissioner and officials reserve the right to convert the game clock to run-time under circumstances they deem necessary.
17. NO time outs allowed for any game, including finals.
18. Games that are tied at the end of regulation will immediately go to a 3-man shoot out, sudden death after the first 3 shooters if still tied. See COED rules below for additional formatting. (Updated: 2020)
19. Players must play in the Friday evening or Saturday morning game of the tournament weekend to qualify for their team's third game or Sunday finals. No new players can participate after their team's second game. (Established: 2020)
20. Players MUST play in two (2) round-robin/bracket games to qualify for Sunday’s final.
21. Players must decide which bracket they will play in. Players will not be allowed to “jump” brackets during a weekend to play on multiple teams; no exceptions. (Updated: 2020)

scoring & bracket ranking rules (Section 4)

1. Eight (8) team brackets will play under the new SPC Bracket Setup. (See SPC Bracket Setup)
   1. Double Elimination Style, one team will go undefeated (3-0) and advance to the finals. One team that that has a record of 2-1 will advance to the finals, this team will be decided on by using tie breakers.
2. Six (6) and four (4) team brackets will play round-robin style. (See SPC Bracket Setup)
   1. Best two (2) teams advance to the finals.
3. Tie Breakers
   1. Wins
   2. Points
      3 points = Regulation Win
      2 points = Win in Shootout OR Overtime
      1 point = Loss in Shootout OR Overtime
      0 points = Loss in Regulation
   3. Least Goals Against
   4. Least PIMS
   5. Periods Won
   6. Previous Year's Standings (1-8)
   7. Bracket Selection Order (1-8)

finals game rules (Section 5)

1. Criteria for deciding the tournament winner.
2. Winner after regulation play, Tournament Champion
   1. IF, tied after regulation play
      1. 1 - 5 minute sudden death period (3 v 3), (Updated: 2020)
      2. IF, still tied, shoot out (5 players per team, have your players selected prior to game time)
         SHOOTOUTS, must follow female, male, alternation format; until one gender is exhausted. All players must shoot once before any shooter has a second opportunity.
      3. IF, shootout ends in a tie, a sudden death shoot out will continue until a winner is decided.
      4. Each team must go through their entire roster of players before anyone can shoot for a second time.

rooster cup & johnson cup | coed (section 6)

1. Male MUST place a tournament sticker on the middle front portion of their helmet.
2. NO more than two (2) males on the ice at any times (excluding the goalie). This applies to when you pull the goalie as well. (Face-off Outside the Zone)
3. NO player can score more than two (2) goals in a game. (Face-off Outside the Zone)
4. NO slap shots males or females (2 min. penalty | (Face-off Outside the Zone).
5. NO checking
6. You must have a defensive pairing of male/female or female/female (Cannot have 2 male players on "D"). Understanding the flow of a game, players may move out of position, but must return within the opportunity becomes available. (Face-off Outside the Zone)
7. NO player can skate the puck over both blue lines. A player may dump the puck over the offensive blue line and retrieve it once it crosses over the goal line. (Face-off Outside the Zone)
8. Shootout: Female, male, female, male, etc. | Finals OT: 2 Females & 1 Male

johnson cup (rcoed)

1. NO more than two (2) liaison players on a roster. (Updated 2023)
   Liaison Player Defined: A player that has played high school or higher organized hockey, under the age of 35. A player that is there only to assist in the flow of the game.
2. NO high school+ skilled goaltenders; unless over the age of 45.

jemc & perz cup (30+) rules (section 7)

1. Players must be 30 years of age on opening night of your first game.
2. Goalies must be 27 years of age on opening night of your first game.
3. All other standard AEA Rules apply.

morgan cup (40+) bracket rules (section 8)

1. Players must be 40 years of age on opening night of your first game.
2. Goalies must be 36 years of age on opening night of your first game.
3. All other standard AEA Rules apply.

potter cup (c) bracket rules (section 9)

1. NO more than two (2) liaison players on a roster
2. NO high school+ skilled/experienced goaltenders; unless over the age of 45.
3. NO player can score more than two (2) goals in a game.
4. 3 Penalties to any one player will result in that player being removed from the remainder of that game. This player will be allowed to return and participate in the next game. (updated 2025)
5. 9 or more penalties between the two teams, the officials will convert the game clock to run-time. (updated 2025)
6. Build your team how you see fit, but your roster must be approved by the AEA Commissioner.
7. PENDING 2023 - No slap shots.

other rules (section 10)

1. Forfeits, any team that forfeits a game will automatically lose/forfeit all of their remaining games by a final score of 3-0 (one goal per period). Any team that forfeits will also lose the opportunity to play in the finals/championship as well. Forfeited teams will be expected to play all remaining games on their schedule and pay their tournament fees in full. If the forfeited team and it’s players fail to comply they will be banned from an future AEA events. Individual players may rectify directly with the AEA to "lift" banned status. (Established: 2020)
2. No non-rostered players or guest are allowed on the bench with a tournament team, unless they are a coach.
3. Helmets, gloves, shin guards, elbow pads, hockey pants are all required. Face shields/cages and shoulder pads are optional, but strongly suggested.
4. The AEA Commissioner has the right to refuse the right to any player from participating in any tournament games.
5. Sponsors and all tournament staff are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
6. By participating in this event you accept any and all risk involved with participating in this event. You understand that An Edge Above, sponsors and staff members are not responsible for any injuries or death that may occur while participating in this event.
7. *All rules are subject to change without notice.