Tournament Rules (section 1)

1. Though these tournaments are designed to bring out a high level of competition in the participants, keep in mind that it’s still just 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. 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. AEA Player Watch, was developed after Silver Puck Challenge XX (2024). The AEA Player Watch is a place where participants, staff and the commissioner can submit participants for behavioral and/or game conduct reviews. The situations will be reviewed and disciplinary actions will be evaluated.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Captains have your team ready to go at 10 minutes to game time. Game will start promptly when scheduled.
8. 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 are instructed to follow the salary cap rules set by the AEA Salary Cap System.
4. Captains will be responsible for filling out the online roster and information for their teams.
5. NO subs are allowed at the Silver Puck Challenge. If a player is going to miss a game, gets injured, a sub/replacement player cannot be brought in to replace this player for the game or remaining schedule. Build your roster accordingly.
6. 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, a banned or suspended player, a player from another team or bracket. Goalies will have flexibility as long as the commissioner is aware of the situation. Other situations may also be reviewed by the commissioner, and permission may be granted or denied. (See Forfeit Rule; Section 9)
7. Any team over the AEA Salary Cap and reaching the championship finals; showing clear dominance, manipulation, sandbagging and/or disregard to the AEA Salary Cap System can be replaced by the next eligible team in the standings. A team's dominance will be determined by the SPC Power Rankings calculator and strength of schedule. The captain will also be placed on the AEA Player Watch list for AEA Salary Cap Manipulation. A vote by the captain's within the bracket will take place to determine the violating team's Championship Sunday status.
8. Players that have progressed in their hockey career; shall be permitted to participate in the same bracket and on the same roster as the previous year. This player's AEA Salary Cap Value will stay as if they have not progressed. If that participant drops or is removed at any point from their original team's roster; their updated AEA Salary Cap will be used to determine a team's AEA Salary Cap value.
9. A team that has been moved up a bracket or removed from a bracket by the 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. 
10. 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.
11. Be prepared to show ID and/or validate your roster status at anytime.

Game Play & Time Rules (Section 3)

1. All USA Hockey/MAHA rules apply. (Just like most men’s leagues)
2. Blue line Icing
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 tournaments. Any player(s) engaging in fighting will be placed in the AEA Player Watch system and may be given at least a one (1) game suspension.
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(s) will be placed in the AEA Player Watch system and may be given at least a one (1) game suspension. A review will be held to determine if additional actions will put in please including; lifetime ban and/or legal actions.
7. Any player(s) receiving a game misconduct will be placed in the AEA Player Watch system and may be given at least a one (1) game suspension. The situation will be reviewed by the commissioner and a decision to “lift” or “enforce” the on ice decisions made by the officials.
8. Players receiving a game misconduct must leave the playing surface/bench immediately. Any delay in departure could result in future and/or additional disciplinary action.
9. The commissioner and/or game time officials will review all situations and "lift" or "enforce" any additional tournament disciplinary actions required.
10. A team caught playing with suspended player(s) will forfeit their game by a final score of 3-0, one (1) goal per period. (See Forfeit Rule; Section 9)
11. Guaranteed 3 Games
12. 12 minute stop clock periods.
13. 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.
14. 50 minute games. Game can go longer than curfew clock.
15. 4 penalties to any one player will result in that player being removed from the remainder of that game. Unless an other bracket specific rule is in place. This player will be allowed to return and participate in the next game.
16. 13 or more penalties between the two teams, the officials will convert the game clock to run-time.
17. The commissioner and officials reserve the right to convert the game clock to run-time under any circumstances they deem necessary.
18. NO time outs allowed for any game, including finals.
19. 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)
20. 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; even if rostered.
21. Players MUST play in two (2) round-robin/bracket games to qualify for Sunday’s final.
22. 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. Goalies will have flexibility as long as the commissioner is aware of the situation. Other situations may also be reviewed by the commissioner, and permission may be granted or denied. (See Non-Roster Rule; Section 2-4)

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)
      2. IF, still tied after overtime, a 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 rules (section 6)

1. Johnson Cup: NO more than two (2) liaison players on a roster.
   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. Johnson Cup: NO high school+ skilled goaltenders; unless over the age of 45 or approved by the AEA Commissioner.
3. Johnson Cup: NO NCAA+ skilled skaters; unless they are your liaison players. No professional players.
4. Both Brackets: MALE players must place a tournament sticker on the middle, front portion of their helmet.
5. Both Brackets: NO more than two (2) men on the ice at ANY time. This applies to when you pull the goalie as well. - Face-off outside the zone.
6. Both Brackets: NO player can score more than two (2) goals in a game. - Face-off outside the zone.
7. Both Brackets: NO slap shots men or women. - 2 Min. Pentalty | Face-off outside the zone.
8. Both Brackets: You must have a defensive pairing of man/woman or woman/woman (You may not have two (2) male players on defense at the same time). - Face-off outside the zone.
9. Both Brackets: 3 skaters and/or Finals OT: 2 Female Skaters & 1 Male Skater
10. Both Brackets: 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.
11. Both Brackets: Three (3) penalties to any player; player removed from the game.
12. Both Brackets: Nine (9) or more penalties combined between the teams; run-time.
13. Both Brackets: NO hattricks allowed; 2 goals max per player.
14. Both Brackets: SHOOTOUTS, must follow female, male, alternation format; until one gender is exhausted. All players must shoot once before any shooter has a second opportunity.
15. All other standard SPC Rules apply.

elite, 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) & wolfman cup (c+/b-) rules (section 9)

1. Potter Cup: NO more than two (2) liaison players on a roster

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. Potter Cup: NO high school+ skilled/experienced goaltenders; unless over the age of 45.
3. Potter Cup: NO NCAA+ skilled skaters; unless they are your liaison players. No professional players.
4. Wolfman Cup: NO more than four (4) players on a roster with high school+ skill/experience.
5. Wolfman Cup: NO high school+ skilled/experienced goaltenders; unless over the age of 40.
6. Both Brackets: Three (3) penalties penalties to any player; removed from the game.
7. Both Brackets: Nine (9) or more penalties between the two teams; run-time.
8. All other standard SPC Rules apply.

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. No minors (under 18 years of age) are allowed on the benches or penalty boxes.
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 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.