PHL
The Central Mass Outlaws play league games in the PHL of New England. There are almost 30 programs that have teams in the PHL in multiple divisions. Travel is generally between 1 and 3 hours from NESC.
The PHL follows all USAH and MA Hockey Rules and Regulations for game play. Some league rules may supersede USAH rules.
LEAGUE MISSION STATEMENT
"The Premier" mission is to showcase and develop hockey players in an effort to help them realize their potential as athletes along with being valued members of their community. The League will help promote respect, courtesy and good sportsmanship among all teams participating inclusive of players, coaches, parents and fans.
Player/Parent
Parity
Parity Games
- placement in Premier or Elite divisions
- all teams and players are required to participate
- ages 14U and younger teams only
- generally played the last weekend in August (subject to change)
- regular season games will start the weekend following Labor Day Weekend (subject to change)
- teams 15U and older do not participate in Parity
Regular Season
- The regular season generally starts games the weekend following Labor Day weekend (subject to change)
- games can be played on Friday, Saturday or Sunday
- 14U age group is comprised of 2 separate half seasons, Fall and Winter, each will have playoffs
- The number of games played will vary by age group and division
Game Periods
* new for 2024-2025 *
ALL teams regular season:
- 2 halves per game
- 22.5 minutes each half
- each team (home/away) is allowed 1 time out per game
- no running the clock
Penalty Minutes
Minor Penalty: 2 Minutes
Major Penalty: 5 Minutes
Misconduct Penalty: 10 Minutes
Suspensions
Any player or coach that receives a penalty resulting in a suspension must sit all games (league or non-league) until they serve the league suspension
Hearings
Hearings will be scheduled with MA Hockey and the player or coach affected
Any player or coach that receives a penalty resulting in a hearing must sit all games (league or non-league) until the outcome of the hearing is determined
Penalty Reminders
1 game suspension
Game Misconduct: player is suspended 1 game
Ejection: player is suspended 1 game
4 penalties in 1 game: player receives a GM and is suspended 1 game
12 or more team penalties Rule 401(b): The Head Coach is suspended 1 game
3 or more team Major penalties Rule 411(b): The Head Coach is suspended 1 game
*Major penalties* can result in a Game Misconduct, therefore, a 1 game suspension
Hit from behind Game Misconduct or MATCH penalty:
Player will receive a 1 game suspension and also required to enroll in Heads Up, Don't Duck Safety Video.
Team is required to dedicate 2 practices to Heads up, Don't Duck Safety protocols
2+ Game Suspension
Rule 601(a-e) violations: result in a 2 game suspension
Fighting: automatic 3 game suspension
- 14U and younger: 2 games USAH, 1 supplemental PHL
- 15U and older: 3 games USAH
Suspension & Hearing
2 Game Misconducts in 1 season: player is immediately suspended and unable to attend practice or games until an intervention hearing is held with the PHL
MATCH Penalty MP (not matching) Rule 405: player or coach is immediately to serve a 30 day suspension and required to attend a hearing with MA Hockey and/or USAH
supplemental discepline
Certain situations may warrant supplemental disciplinary action by the League, program or coaching staff
refer to the rulebook if you have questions
USAH Mobile Rulebook link
The USA Hockey Mobile Rulebook app installs the current playing rules on your mobile device. Browse rules, interpretations, signals and more.
MA Hockey Annual Guide
USA Hockey
Scheduling
game schedule
League games are scheduled by the PHL using youthhockey.com. Coaches and managers should register to enter any dates the team may need to block for tournaments, etc and to view schedule. Once the team game schedule is set, it will not be changed. Blackout dates must be entered prior to the league running the schedule.
TBD/Reschedule
There may be some unscheduled games after the league schedules games. These will be scheduled by the Outlaws based on the team availability listed in youthhockey.com. Any TBD games will be scheduled as soon as possible and may be added w/o input from the coaching staff.
cancellation
In the unfortunate event a game needs to be cancelled, the team will be responsible for all costs associated with that game regardless of location. The PHL also imposes a $500 fine for late cancellations. Costs for games include: PHL fine, Ice cost (home or away), referees, time keeper. The cost for 1 game to be cancelled is estimated at $1,250 and will be billed to the team that requested the cancellation.
PHL Playoffs
Playoff Dates
14U, 15U, 16U and 18U teams
- National Bound teams can expect playoffs the 1st weekend in November
- Non-National Bound teams can expect playoffs the 3rd weekend in November
13U and younger
- playoff games are generally held the 1st or 2nd weekend in March
Dates are subject to change year to year, check team calendar and league website for latest information
Player Eligibility
- only officially rostered players who played in 60% of regular season league games are eligible for playoffs
- parity games do not count as games played
- games missed due to suspension do not count as games played
Playoff Rules
- 3 periods per game
- 15 minutes each period
- each team (home/away) is allowed 1 time out per game
- no running the clock
- all teams must be prepared to play 15 minutes prior to scheduled game time
- home team is the higher seeded and wears white game jerseys
- overtime in semi-final and final games will be 5 minutes of 3 on 3
- if there is no winner after overtime, a 3 man shootout will occur
- any player in the penalty box at the end of regulation time is not eligible to play in overtime or shootout
PHL Teams
listed by state
