Winter Captain's Portal

WRHL Winter Captain's Portal

Welcome to the Winter Captain's Portal, your one-stop location for all essential information and resources. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at teams@winnipegrechockeyleague.com.

Review the captains meeting, hosted by the President of Hockey Operations: Watch Here

Useful Links

Please use the sidebar links to access our rulebook, game feedback form, stat correction form, and more.

Gamesheets & Rosters

All players must register individually each season and when playing for a new team. Team Managers are responsible for verifying the accuracy of online game sheets within 96 hours post-game. Discrepancies should be reported via the Stat/Roster Correction form.

Scheduling

This winter, we are focusing on creating balanced and competitive divisions based on the feedback and data collected from previous seasons. This will include broader divisions to start to increase the number of varied opponents, and gradually work down to smaller division sizes for best parity and competitive balance.

We work diligently to create a schedule that accommodates teams' preferences while maintaining a competitive balance. Please note the following tentative scheduling windows:

• Scheduling Window 1: Start - Oct 7
• Scheduling Window 2: Oct 10 - Nov 17
• Scheduling Window 3: Nov 18 - Dec 23
• Scheduling Window 4: Dec 27 - Feb 2
• Scheduling Window 5*: Feb 3 - End of Season

Note: Once games are posted, rescheduling will not be possible. Ensure to communicate any omit dates before the deadlines provided.

Submit Mid-Season Omit Dates

Forfeits

If your team needs to OFFICIALLY CONFIRM a forfeit, please click the below button. 

Forfeit Confirmation

You are more than welcome to notify us through other communications if you think you may need to forfeit, but we only treat forfeits submitted through the above form as "official" and final to avoid scenarios where we notify opponents of forfeits only to be told that the original forfeiting team says "nevermind". 

The fine structure for forfeits is:

• 1st forfeit = $200 fine
• 2nd forfeit = $300 fine
• 3rd forfeit = $400 fine and, at the discretion of League Management a meeting 
• 4th forfeit = Removal from the league

When a game is forfeited or abandoned, a loss of 1-0 is recorded against the team that forfeits or abandons the game. In the case of abandonment, the existing score shall remain in place if the team that abandoned the game was already losing. Up to $100 of the forfeit fine may be waved if they provide written notice to League Management within 48 hours of the game.

If the forfeiting team provides 48 hours notice and we are able to find a new opponent for that team, the team forfeiting the game will still have one less game available from the number they registered, but they will NOT be fined and will NOT receive a 1-0 loss. Please note, even with more than 48 hours notice there is no certainty that a new opponent will be found. 

A team that is forfeited on is still considered a game played. They will receive a forfeit win and have use of the ice. Teams who are forfeited on more than once in a season should reach out to admin@winnipegrechockeyleague.com to explore different game replacement options.

Game Sheets & Rosters

• All players must register separately each season and submit a new registration each time that they play for a new team. For example, if a player plays for two separate teams, they must register separately for each team.
• The Team Manager and/or Alternate Team Manager should review each online gamesheet the day after their game.
  • If there are any discrepancies regarding attendance or the roster, they must complete the appropriate form (click here) within 96 hours of the conclusion of the game. Inquiries that are made after this point will not be actioned. For greater clarity, this means that if for any reason a player is not appearing as a player who played a game, the Team Manager or Alternate Team Manager must alert the league within 96 hours to allow it to be addressed.
• Only Players registered with the League may participate in a game. Having an unregistered player participate in a game is subject, at minimum, to a $50 fine per occurrence and per player. It is the responsibility of the Team Manager and/or Alternate Team Manager to ensure that any player who plays on their team has registered and is eligible to play in the game that they are playing in. This includes situations in which the Team Manager and/or Alternate Team Manager are not present at a game.
• All players must legibly print and sign their own names on each official game roster.
• If there is a discrepancy between the number of games played listed for a player on their online roster and the number of Official Game Rosters signed by the player, then the number of properly signed Official Game Rosters will be used to determine eligibility. The Team Rep (or designated Alternate) is responsible for ensuring their online roster accurately reflects the correct Games Played statistics for all their Players.

Feedback and Communication

We value your feedback. To ensure proper documentation and action, please submit all feedback through our Game Feedback Form 24 hours after your game has passed. 

Game Feedback Form

Payment Information

Please adhere to the following payment schedule:

• $1,000 due upon registration (deposit)
• $1,500 due August 15 ($2,500 total due)
• $1,500 due September 15 ($4,000 total due)
• $2,000 due October 15 ($6,000 total due)
• $2,000 due November 15 ($8,000 total due)
• Remainder due December 15

For any concerns regarding payments, contact teams@winnipegrechockeyleague.com 

Suspensions

For the Winter 2024/25 season, there will be individual player suspension thresholds (treated separately for each team they are on) where:

• 50 PIMs = 1 game suspension
• 60 PIMS = 2 game suspension
• 70 PIMS = Remainder of regular season + playoffs

For the Winter 2024/25 season, there will be team penalty minute fine thresholds:

• 200 PIMS = $200 fine
• 250 PIMS = $250 fine
• 300 PIMS = Removal from season + playoffs and/or bond

Playoff Eligibility

• In order to qualify as an eligible player in the playoffs, a player must play in 8 or more games.
• Goaltenders must be present for minimum of one (1) regular season game to qualify for the playoffs.
• In the case that a goaltender has played only as a goaltender for a specific team, they may not play as a player without the approval of League Management.
• In the case that a goaltender has played as both a player and a goaltender at different points during the season, they must have played at minimum four games as a player and reach the overall minimum games threshold outlined to also qualify as a player.
• For the Winter 2023/24 season, roster exemptions will not be accepted. Instead, the minimum game threshold has been reduced from 10 to 8 games. 

Hockey FAQs

Q: What happens if the game is tied with 8 or more minutes remaining in the ice slot?
A: According to rule 1.1.1, the game should proceed to a three-minute 3-on-3 overtime. If the game remains tied after the overtime, a best-of-3 shootout will immediately commence. If the shootout is tied after 3 shooters each, it will proceed to a sudden death shootout.

Q: What is the procedure if the game is tied with less than 8 minutes remaining in the ice slot?
A: Per rule 1.1.2, the game should immediately proceed to a best-of-3 shootout. If the shootout is tied after 3 shooters each, it will proceed to a sudden death shootout.

Q: What are the requirements for the team composition at the end of the warmup clock?
A: As stated in rule 4.4.1, each team must have six skaters and one goalie on the ice and ready to play by the conclusion of the warmup clock. Note that goaltenders must meet the equipment requirements outlined in the Hockey Canada rulebook, and players may not “identify” as a goaltender.

Q: When does the game clock switch to running time based on the goal spread? A: According to rules 4.6.1 and 4.6.2, the game clock will switch to running time if there is a 5 or more-goal spread in the last five minutes of the 3rd period or an 8 or more-goal spread at any point in the 3rd period. Based on rules 4.6.3 and 4.6.4, the game clock will revert to stop time if a 5-goal spread is reduced to 4 goals. However, if an 8-goal spread is triggered, stoppage time will not resume unless the margin is reduced to 4 goals.

Q: When can a team request proof of identity from an opposing player, and how many times per game?
A: Rule 3.3.10 allows a team to request proof of identity from a maximum of one player from the opposing team, but only once a game. This request must be made to a referee prior to the start of the 3rd period.

Q: What type of identification is accepted for proof of identity, and who assesses it?
A: Any form of identification will be accepted, as per the rule. Referees do not make the judgment, and the player is allowed to continue to participate. An incident report will be forwarded to the league for any proof of identity requests. Government-issued ID is encouraged but not required, as stated in the rule. The burden of proof is on the player to confirm that they are the player listed on the roster. If the player who has been requested to prove their identity is willing, a picture can be taken of the player by the timekeeper to match and strengthen the case with any other evidence or ID presented.

Q: Can the league (or an official) also request identification from players during a game, and is there a limit to the number of requests?
A: According to the rule, the league is able to request identification of an unlimited number of players at any point during a game.

TEam Operations FAQs

Q: How many divisions will there be in the league?
A: The exact number of divisions will be determined closer to the end of the registration date. The strategy is to start with broader division sizes and gradually work down to smaller sizes to maximize parity and the number of league champions.

Q: Do we receive the entire season's schedule upfront?
A: No, the schedule is released in phases with several realignment windows to ensure maximum parity in the league.

Q: How do the best-of-3 playoff format result in more total games on average?
A: The format ensures an average of over 4 games per playoff team, offering better value and a lower average cost per minute. Teams could play up to six playoff games at no additional cost.

Q: What does "24 guaranteed games (includes 2-6 playoff games)" mean?
A: Teams will play a minimum of 24 games, including 22 regular season games and 2 to 6 playoff games, depending on their performance.

Q: Why did our team's division number change?
A: Division numbers are not as important as the groupings of teams you are placed with. Changes in division numbers are influenced by various factors including registration dynamics and are aimed at ensuring the best matchups.

Q: Why have divisions become smaller for the next schedule release?
A: After consulting with team representatives, it was decided to reduce division sizes to test new matchups, allow teams to play different opponents, and ensure closer divisions while avoiding repetitive matchups.

Q: Why do we play against certain teams more frequently?
A: The scheduling considers various factors including location preferences, different registration packages, and unforeseen circumstances such as facility closures, to balance varying matchups and maintain a diverse and exciting league experience.

Q: Why are some games not scheduled in our preferred location?
A: While location preferences are considered, the league aims to grow into a city-wide entity prioritizing parity over region, which sometimes necessitates scheduling games in different areas of the city.

Q: How does the league manage late start times?
A: The league monitors late starts (930PM & later) and ensures that teams stay within a 10% variance of the average late start times in their scheduling preference pool.

Q: Can we reschedule a game after the schedule is posted?
A: No, rescheduling is not possible due to ice contract commitments and the potential knock-on effect on other teams' schedules.

Q: How can we join the Captain's Advisory Committee?
A: Interested team representatives can reach out to teams@winnipegrechockeyleague.com to join the Captain's Advisory Committee and help shape the direction of the league.

Q: How does the league ensure competitive balance while accommodating location preferences?
A: The league strives to balance parity and location preferences by encouraging teams to play in different regions a few times a year, fostering a competitive city-wide league.

Contact

For general inquiries, reach out to us at teams@winnipegrechockeyleague.com.