Constitution

1. Article I: Introduction

Strat Pros Internet Hockey League (SPIHL) began in 2007. The SPIHL is a daring attempt to merge all aspects of real-life hockey club management with Strat-O-Matic computer hockey. The league offers participants not only drafting, trading, and managing a team, but also offers the opportunity to simulate the duties of a real-life General Manager, making the same financial decisions as his National Hockey League counterpart.

SPIHL is a 24-team league that plays a 82-game schedule, which mirrors the actual National Hockey League schedule. Play begins in early October and concludes in June. SPIHL is composed of two 12-team conferences; each conference has three divisions of four teams. The league uses all “computer-carded” players from every available NHL team as its talent pool. A mid-season All-Star game is played each year in a different SPIHL arena.

The contract system and realistic player movement that results from the league free agency program make it challenging to keep a dynasty in place for very long, much as it is in the National Hockey League. The system rewards prudent drafting, trading, and money management. The league setup makes it possible for many teams to be competing for playoff spots each year.

The primary goal of the league is to unite people from varying backgrounds who enjoy playing Strat-O-Matic hockey as a hobby, and to have fun.

2. Article II: Ownership Requirements

Owners are obligated to play league games in the correct manner. In order to be an owner in this league, you must comply with the following:

(a) Section 2.01: Owners must own an IBM compatible computer and have access to the Internet.

(b) Section 2.02: Owners must own the latest approved version of the Strat-O-Matic CD-ROM computer hockey game.

(d) Section 2.04: Owners must have an active e-mail address.

(e) Section 2.05: Owners must be able to participate in league activities, discussions, and voting referendums as needed.

(f) Section 2.06: Failure to comply with any of the above requirements may result in dismissal from the 5

Section 3.01: The League Board - The executive responsibilities of the League will be managed by a three-man board, which will consist of the league commissioner, Eastern Conference president, and Western Conference president. The League Board will be charged with maintaining order, interpreting the constitution when needed, and having the authority to rule on all aspects of league operation, including ownership status and player transactions. All members of the League Board will be responsible for the enforcement of the league bylaws, as well as the responsibilities of their individual posts.

(a) Terms of Service: The league commissioner, Eastern Conference president, and Western Conference president shall serve for one-year terms concurrently. Nominations for League Board posts will be accepted during the week following the end of the SPIHL Cup. All owners will be required to vote for one nominated candidate per position. The departing League Board will announce results jointly one week later. A League Board member may hold only one league administrative position at a time, and there is no limit to the number of consecutive terms a member may be elected.

(a) The League Board is responsible for rules interpretation and resolution of conflicts throughout the course of a season. All rule/policy queries must be submitted by membership to the three members of the league board directly. The League Board members will promptly discuss the matter and endeavor to provide a fair and timely verdict within the intent of the rules. The League Board is responsible for clarification and overseeing the standard revision of League rules and procedures, including, but not limited to, the SPIHL constitution.

(b) The League Board shall compose referendums for the ownership to vote on. All proposed rule changes must be submitted through the League Board for general submission to the League. Once the League Board brings a referendum to the League ownership for a vote, two-thirds of existing League ownership (16 of 24) votes are required to approve a referendum.

(c) Trade Oversight: Each owner must report their player trades to all three members of the League Board, the Director of Player/Personnel, the League Statistician, and the League Website Coordinator. Upon announcement, any team owner may protest a trade within 48 hours of its announced date by sending an e-mail to the League Board.

1) If six owner protests (25% of League membership) are received for any given trade, the League Board is required to hold a hearing within 48 hours of receipt of the sixth protest to discuss the merits of the trade.

2) The League Board shall have the authority to request modifications, or to outright veto trades that they feel are not in the best interests of the League.

3) The League Board must have compelling evidence of impropriety in order to veto a trade. Popular belief that one team simply got the lesser end in a trade will not be a valid reason for overturning the trade.

4) If a League Board member is an active participant in a protested trade, the Board member must excuse himself from the voting and the League Statistician will act as a temporary replacement for protest-voting purposes. If both a League Board member and League Statistician are participants in a protested trade, the League Website Coordinator will act as a temporary replacement for protest hearing voting purposes.

Section 3.02: League Commissioner - The SPIHL League Commissioner will serve as the ultimate voice of the league on all league matters.

(a) The League Commissioner will be responsible for determining the duties of the respective league presidents and working in concert with them to form the League Board.

(b) The League Commissioner will serve as the tie-breaking vote on any League matters as needed.

(c) The League Commissioner may appoint owners to administer other league duties as needed. These administrative positions will be important for the day-to-day running of the league, however they will not be League Board members and thus will not have voting privileges on League Board matters.

Section 3.03: Conference Presidents - The SPIHL shall have two elected conference presidents: one each for the Eastern and Western Conference.

(a) The job of each conference president is to assess the status of the league at any given moment, and to provide guidance and counseling to the Commissioner in terms of suggestions of new rules or procedures, or revision of existing rules or procedures.

(b) Conference Presidents are responsible for the day-to-day administering of their respective conference, including maintaining current ownership directories, ensuring that computer manager files have been created, and assessing lateness penalties where needed.

Section 3.04: SPIHL League Statistician - The SPIHL shall have a League Statistician, who is appointed by the League Commissioner.

(a) The League Statistician is responsible for creating, maintaining, and distributing the official SPIHL Strat-O-Matic roster and stats files.

(b) The League Statistician will solicit all completed game results files and box scores upon the conclusion of a given schedule block. The League Statistician will be responsible for making all roster changes due to in-season trades. Prior to the start of each block, the League Statistician will e-mail updated Strat-O-Matic roster and stats files to all owners. These files will be downloaded directly to each owner’s computer prior to play.

Section 3.05: League Director of Player/Personnel - The SPIHL will have a League Director of Player/Personnel, who shall be appointed by the League Commissioner and whose responsibilities include keeping an up-to-date listing of all rosters, salaries, and contract statuses.

(a) The League Director of Player/Personnel will maintain an Excel spreadsheet that lists rosters, salaries, and contract information for all players on each team. The League Director of Player/Personnel will be responsible for making sure that this spreadsheet is made readily available to all league members on demand.

(b) The League Director of Player/Personnel will be responsible for recording and keeping an archive of all player transactions, including, but not limited to, trades, free agent signings, player waivers, and contract buyouts.

(c) The League Director of Player/Personnel will schedule and oversee the Free Agent auction. Duties include the solicitation, verification, and recording of all bids, and the rewarding of players to the respective winning bidders per the League’s Free Agent auction bylaws (see Appendix 2).

Section 3.06: SPIHL League Website Coordinator - The SPIHL will have a League Website Coordinator, who shall be appointed by the League Commissioner and whose responsibilities include the design and maintenance of the official league website (www.spihl.net).

(a) The League Website Coordinator will endeavor to provide the league with features, such as up-to-date standings, trade notifications, historical records, and other features intended to enhance the enjoyment of the league for everybody.

4. Article IV: General Policies & Procedures

Section 4.01: League Schedule - The SPIHL will play a schedule of 82 games, with the majority of each team’s games being played within their division.

(a) The league schedule will mirror the real-life NHL schedule, with games beginning in October and the post-season ending in June.

(b) Each team will be responsible for playing their 41 home games on their computer, utilizing the visiting computer manager file, or directly against their opponent via Netplay. Visiting teams shall have the option of requesting Netplay for their away series, and every attempt should be made to accommodate head-to-head play when possible.

Section 4.02: League Alignment - The SPIHL shall be divided into two separate leagues, a 12-team Eastern Conference and a 12-team Western Conference. Each league will consist of three divisions of four teams.

Section 4.03: Franchise Modification

(a) Team nicknames may be changed at any time during the off-season for the following year, pending the approval of the Commissioner. Team locations must be tied to current National Hockey League cities. Team location/nickname combinations should not match any historical or existing NHL franchise.

Section 4.04: Playoffs - At the end of every season, the SPIHL will hold a series of playoffs to determine the league champion.

(a) Qualifying: The three division winners in each league automatically qualify for the playoffs. The five teams with the most points that are not division winners will be additional entrants into the playoffs in each league. If two teams have earned the same amount of points, the first tiebreaker will be the greater number of games won. If teams are still tied after the first tiebreaker, the second tiebreaker will be the greater number of points earned in games between the tied clubs.

(b) Matchups: The playoff format will mirror the current NHL format. After the season, the eight playoff teams in each conference (Eastern and Western) will be seeded according to total points. The division winners are seeded one through three, and then the next five teams with the most points in the conference are seeded four through eight.

(c) SPIHL Playoffs, First Round (Conference Quarterfinals). Seeds #1 will host Seeds #8, Seeds #2 will host Seeds #7, Seeds #3 will host Seeds #6, Seeds #4 will host Seeds #5. First round playoff series will be “best-of seven”.

(d) SPIHL Playoffs, Second Round (Conference Semifinals): The top remaining conference seeds play the lowest remaining conference seeds, and the other two remaining conference teams pair off. Second round playoff series will be “best-of seven.”

(e) SPIHL Playoffs, Third Round (Conference Finals): Winners from Second Round will play for respective conference championships. Third round playoff series will be “best-of seven.”

(f) SPIHL Playoffs, Fourth Round (SPIHL Cup Finals): Eastern Conference champion will play Western Conference champion. SPIHL Cup Finals will be “best-of seven.”

(g) The higher seed will always have home ice advantage in the league playoffs.

(h) Home ice breakdown for a seven-game series will be: HHAAHAH (H = Home, A = Away).

(i) In the playoffs, if the score is tied at the end of the third period a continuous series of sudden-death overtime periods are played until a team scores. Overtime periods are full periods of twenty minutes (of five-on-five hockey), rather than the five minutes (of four-on-four hockey, followed by a shootout) in the regular season. The overtime is played with the golden goal rule (sudden death), so the game ends as soon as either team scores a goal.

(j) All playoff games must be played via Netplay. If a team’s owner cannot play the game in person, he must designate a replacement owner who is not currently involved in the playoffs to manage his team in his place.

(k) Playoff Scheduling: After playoff roster/stats files have been distributed, all seven-game series must be completed within ten days or as designated by the Commissioner. Any participating owner may request an extension for their series, which will be granted at the League Commissioner’s sole discretion. If an extension is not granted, and the ten-day deadline is not met, any outstanding playoff games will be auto-played by the League Statistician using playoff CM files.

(l) Prior to the start of each playoff series, teams must exchange CM files with each other and must provide the League Statistician with a copy for each series.

5. Article V: Rosters

Section 5.01: SPIHL will not use injuries.

Section 5.02: Roster Size - SPIHL rosters will be a maximum of 30 players and a minimum of 25 players.

(a) Active Rosters: For any given game, teams must dress 20 players (18 skaters, 2 goalies). Players who are not on an active roster prior to February 28th are not eligible for the playoffs.

(b) Teams must be able to dress four unique forward lines, and three unique defense pairs for each game.

(c) Teams must have 2 goalies, 6 defensemen (3 left defensemen, 3 right defensemen), 4 left wingers, 4 right wingers, and 4 centers eligible for each game.

Section 5.03: Trading Players

(a) Trading is not permitted from one hour prior to the start of the League Entry Draft until the conclusion of the League Entry Draft.

(b) Trade Deadline for Playoff Eligibility: SPIHL will observe a trade deadline for playoff eligibility of February 28th each season. Players traded before this date will be eligible for the playoffs.

(e) Trades for “players to be named later” are not permitted.

(f) Trades that result in “player loaning” are not permitted.

(g) Draft picks may be traded subject to the following restrictions:

· Picks for the upcoming draft may be traded at any time when a trade freeze is not in effect

· Picks for the draft following the upcoming one can be traded only after the SPIHL playoffs have been completed and the trade freeze has been lifted, and prior to the trade freeze that goes into effect for the upcoming draft at the end of that summer.

(h) All trades must be reported by both teams to the League Commissioner, both Conference Presidents, the League Statistician, the League Director of Player/Personnel, and the League Website Coordinator. In-season trades will not take effect until the release of the next block of rosters/stats files.

6. Article VI: Usage

Section 6.01: All carded players in a given Strat-O-Matic season are eligible for regular season play, subject to the usage restrictions listed below.

Section 6.02: Player Usage - All players may be used up to 105% of their actual NHL games played, and SPIHL games permitted will be calculated according to the scale below:

NHL Games Played	SPIHL Games Allowed
78 or more	82
77-70	actual NHL games + 4
69-50	actual NHL games + 3
49-30	actual NHL games + 2
29-10	actual NHL games + 1
9 or less	actual NHL games

(a) For regular season and playoff games, teams will rotate four offensive lines and three defensive lines for first and second periods of regular time in all games (1-2-3-4 for forwards, 1-2-3 for defense). For the third period and overtime, teams can continue to rotate four offensive lines and three defensive lines, or can rotate offensive lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3 and defensive lines 1, 2, 3, 1, 2

(b) For the regular season, OT lines may be created with the center position open. (Centers are allowed to play wing on these lines) They should be shifted 1-2-3-4 for the 5 minute OT period. Defense pair should be shifted at 1-2-3 for the 5 minute OT period in the regular season.

(e) The cards per forward line change is 3. The cards per defensive pair line change is 3.

(e) The SPIHL will use a rotation of shots rule for “inside any” and “outside any”. This will result in correct allocation of shots and proper player usage.

· This requires that the highest rated offensive player on the ice receive the “any shot” chance.

· If more than one player is rated at the same level, then these shots are to be rotated.

· So long as the above two rules are followed, the coach is allowed to decide which player is selected for the “any shot” at a given time

o The in-game display will track these shots.

o Note: A “shot” is actually any time the player is selected from an “any shot” chance, even if the player passes or fails to penetrate. This is tracked as an “any shot” by the in-game display and counts the same as a shot on goal.

· Rebound chances can be given to any player on the ice at the discretion of the manager

(f) SPIHL will use “Computer line changes with Human decisions” for home teams, and “Computer line changes with Computer decisions” for away teams (when not Netplaying). When Netplaying, “Computer line changes with Human decisions” will be used for both teams.

(g) Each home team will have the benefit of viewing the visiting teams “View Computer Manger Report” file and set their line rotation for each period of each home game based on the visiting teams submitted line order.

(h) A Player can only appear on one of the Power Play Lines and one of the two Penalty Kill Lines. Only forwards rated to play the point on the power play (double P**) may do so. The Penalty Kill unit must consist of two defensemen who must play their designated positions.

(i) Each coach can ONLY change the offensive/defensive settings during a stoppage in play i.e., Face-off and Line Change situation.

(j) Home ice advantage will NOT be used.

(k) Teams may pull the goalie ANY time during a game at their discretion.

(l) For goalies with unusually high games played, the in-game fatigue rating must be adhered to until the point when said goalie has missed the same number of SPIHL games as NHL games missed. At that point, the goalie fatigue rating can be ignored. This will allow goaltenders who played 70+ games to at least match their NHL number of games played.

Section 6.03: Positional eligibility - Players may only play positions for which they are rated on the current season disk, with a couple of exceptions. A player rated at C only may play the wing on the 4-man penalty kill, the 4-man power play, and any overtime line. Also, a defensemen may play either side (regardless of position ratings) on the power play.

Section 6.04: Goalie Fatigue - In addition to the SPIHL games played limitation, goalies must also not play in more consecutive games than their carded fatigue rating.

Section 6.05: Playoff Usage - Any player who is currently on a team roster and who meets the league mandated minimum number of games played restriction is eligible to play in the playoffs, provided the requirements below are met.

(a) Skaters are eligible to play a total of 10% of their carded games played per seven-game series. This number will be rounded down (i.e. if a player has 56 carded games played, he can appear in 5 playoff games in every round of the postseason). Players may not exceed their total number of carded games played over the course of the entire postseason. A carded player who played 1-9 NHL games is not eligible for the SPIHL playoffs.

(b) Goalies are limited to playing the same number of games as their fatigue rating in any given series. In addition to this, they may not exceed their carded games played over the course of the entire postseason.

7. Article VII: Policies & Procedures

Section 7.01: File Naming Conventions - After each League game, owners must save both the box score and play-by-play files.

At the conclusion of each series, owners will be responsible for providing game results and box score files to the Yahoo group list.

Section 7.02: Computer Manager Files - Owners will be responsible for providing updated Strat-O-Matic computer manager files for each schedule block.

(a) Computer manager files should be posted to the appropriate Yahoo Groups folder as designated by the League Statistician. Lock codes need to be provided to the League Statistician at the beginning of the season or after changing. If owners fail to provide a CM to the League Statistician or Conference President within three days of block distribution, the team’s prior block’s CM file can be used at the discretion of the home teams for that block. Failure to provide a CM in two consecutive blocks will merit an official warning from the Conference President and failure to provide a CM in three consecutive blocks shall be grounds for dismissal from the league, per discretion of the League Commissioner.

(c) Owners will be responsible for importing all opponent’s Computer Manager files for a given block. Any games played by a home team which did not use the proper opponent CM are subject to protest by the visiting owner and are subject to possible replay, per discretion of the League Commissioner. Any overusage that may occur in such games is null and void.

(d) Improper CM usage - The game in question will only be replayed if the winning team used the improper CM and the game is protested by the losing team. Protests need to be made to the League Commissioner. If the game is ordered to be replayed, the League Statistician will replay the game (using the proper CM's) before the end of that block. Continued negligence by an owner using improper CM's will result in disciplinary action by the League Commissioner.

Section 7.03: League Entry Draft - Any players who are not on SPIHL rosters and do not fit the criteria of a free agent, will be available for selection in the League Entry Draft.

a) The League Entry Draft will be a standard order draft (1-24, 1-24, etc.), where draft order will be determined in inverse order of prior season SPIHL total team points for all rounds except the first round which will have these exceptions:

· The SPIHL Cup Champion will draft last in the first round.

· All non-playoff teams (17-24 in final standings) will be eligible for the draft lottery that impacts the first round order only. Weighted percentages as specified below will be applied, which will give the teams with the least amount of points the best chance for a high draft pick.

· Odds for a randomly generated selection:

i) Worst record: 1-25
2^nd worst record: 26-45
3^rd : 46-60
4^th : 61-72
5^th : 73-81
6^th 82-89
7^th : 90-95
8^th worst record: 96-100

· A team can only drop a maximum of two spots vs. the spot dictated by their point total in the first round draft order.

b) If two teams have the same amount of points from the previous season, total wins will be used as the tie-breaker (with the team with more losses receiving the higher pick). After that, if there is still a tie, head-to-head record between the two teams will be used as the tie-breaker (with the team with more losses receiving the higher pick). After that, if there is still a tie, goal differential between the two teams will be used as the tie-breaker (with the team with least goals receiving the higher pick). After that, if there is still a tie, a coin flip will be administered by the league Commissioner to break the tie.

(c) Teams shall be permitted to draft players until the 30-man roster limit is reached or the team’s salary cap for that season has been reached.

(d) The League Entry Draft shall be held in the summer of each year at a date to be determined by the League Commissioner.

Section 7.04: Strat-O-Matic In-Game Settings

(a) All Super-Advanced “max” Strat-O-Matic computer game rules will be used in addition to the options explicitly mentioned in sections above.

(b) The "Goldberg" optional advanced passing system will be used.

8. Article VIII: Penalty System

Section 8.01: Having a successful league depends on timeliness from all members and adhering to bylaws established by the league. As such, the following penalties will be outlined for non-compliance with said bylaws:

(a) Salary Cap Violation: SPIHL is a strict salary cap league which has a hard cap, meaning all teams must be under or at the team budget at all times (including when trading, waiving, bidding, or drafting). Any trade, free agent bid, or entry draft selection which causes a team to be in violation of the salary cap will be immediately voided upon discovery by the League Statistician or League Board, provided said violation is discovered within 48 hours of its occurrence. The League Commissioner shall have discretionary power in granting extensions that would allow the offending owner time to explore its options to bring its club payroll within the salary cap guidelines.

(b) Roster Size Violation: Any team that falls below the 25-player minimum roster size, or above the 30-man roster size, and does not make the necessary player/personnel moves within three days of the date of violation shall be penalized 5.0 in salary for the current SPIHL season.

(c) Player Overusage: SPIHL is a realistic usage league. The League Commissioner will be responsible for notifications of player overusage. The written penalty system is as follows:

· 1 Player overused - Forfeiture of next year's 3rd round pick only. If the team no longer owns the pick, a 5% cap penalty (rounded up or down accordingly) will be assessed for the season after the infraction occurred only.

· 2 Players overused - Forfeiture of next year's 2nd round pick only. If the team no longer owns the pick, a 10% cap penalty (rounded up or down accordingly) will be assessed for the season after the infraction occurred only.

· 3 Players overused - Forfeiture of next year's 1st round pick only. If the team no longer owns the pick, a 15% cap penalty (rounded up or down accordingly) will be assessed for the season after the infraction occurred only.

In addition, if any player is overused by 5 games or more, the player's contract will become null and void, and the player will become a free agent upon conclusion of the current season. The player's outstanding contract terms will continue to count against the offending team's salary cap for the full length of the contract.

(e) Playoff Overusage: Upon discovery of playoff overusage, all games from the point of discovery onwards are subject to replay if the winning team had the overusage and the losing team does not waive the right to have the game replayed.

Section 8.02: The League Commissioner shall reserve the right to distribute penalties for any infractions that he believes to be detrimental to the conduct of the league. These infractions may include, but are not limited to, failure to comply with league referendums and votes and failure to provide advance notice of inability to run one’s team (i.e., vacations).

9. Article IX: Miscellaneous

Section 9.01: SPIHL All-Star Game - A mid-season All-Star game shall be held in late January/early February at a venue to be determined on a yearly rotating basis. The prior season’s SPIHL Cup owners will coach teams. Starters by position will be determined by the Strat-O-Matic in-game Newspaper Recap (which lists All-Stars) and the All-Star game managers will determine reserves. Each SPIHL team must have at least one player represented in the game. An All-Star game Most Valuable Player shall be awarded per agreement of the All-Star game managers.

Section 9.02: Player Awards - At the conclusion of the SPIHL postseason, the League Board will be responsible for preparing a list of 5 nominees except where noted, for the following individual player awards:

(a) Hart Memorial Trophy (SPIHL Most Valuable Player)

(b) James Norris Memorial Trophy (SPIHL Top Defenseman)

(d) Art Ross Trophy (SPIHL Leading Goal Scorer)

(e) Vezina Trophy (SPIHL Top Goaltender)

(f) Conn Smythe Trophy (Most Valuable Player in the Playoffs)

(g) Selke Trophy (Best defensive Forward)

(h) Lady Byng Trophy (Player who most displays Gentlemanly Conduct)

(i) Bob Probert Trophy (Best Goon/Enforcer Player)

(j) The League Board will set up a poll for each of the respective awards for which all owners are obligated to vote.

(k) The League Board will also award additional awards as necessary.

Section 9.03: SPIHL Hall of Fame - The league reserves the right to hold future discussions regarding the establishment of an SPIHL Hall Of Fame and its eligibility/voting requirements.

Appendix 2: Contract Extension Formulae

I. Contract Lengths and Values

According to the SPIHL constitution, a player contract will last from one to three years. There is no limit as to what the monetary value of that contract will be as long as a team does not go over their salary cap.

II. Signing rookie draft picks

Every year after rookie picks are signed, each franchise in the SPIHL is responsible for sending the league statistician the length of their players’ contracts. Each rookie will be signed to 1-3 year contracts.

III. Defining ‘Under Contract’

A player is under contract when a player is signed either in the FA auction or the rookie draft. A player is not under contract if he is signed during any SPIHL season. Any such player is temporarily signed.

IV. Defining Free Agency

A player is a free agent when:

1. Their contract has not been renewed and they have played out the final year of their current contract

2. A player under contract is cut from their SPIHL team during any given season

3. A player was under temporary contract and has been a FA the previous off-season.

NOTE: Any player that is signed to a temporary contract and was not a FA the previous off-season will go into the rookie draft.

V. In-season Temporary Contract Free Agency process

1. Players not currently assigned to any team may be signed to in-season temporary contracts. These are assigned at the league minimum salary for the remainder of the year and only be for the remainder of the current year. If carded the following year, these players are eligible for the entry draft or free agency, as the case may be.

2. During an in season block of games, any team may make claims on any available player by notifying the League Statistician via email. Temp contracts will be awarded at the end of the block. Players with multiple claims on them will be awarded to the team with the worst record (defined as fewest points in the standings with fewest number of wins as the tiebreaker, with coin flip as the final tiebreaker) at the end of that block. The updated rosters will then be reflected for the upcoming block.

VI. Releasing Players

When a player under contract is cut from an SPIHL franchise, it does not free the franchise of the financial obligations for that player. The SPIHL franchise is responsible for the entire dollar amount for which the player was signed. The franchise can either buy out the contract and pay as a lump sum or pay the player year by year as dictated by the players contract.

1. "Deceased Player Clause" - a player may be released and his outstanding contract declared null and void only in the event of player death. The owning team may invoke this clause at any time during the player's outstanding contract period, and will be under no financial obligation to the player from that point onwards. Once the deceased player clause has been invoked, no other SPIHL team may own the player.

2. Contract buyouts/cuts will not be permitted during the League Entry Draft or the Free Agent Auction.

VII. 1-year contracts

When a player is signed to a 1-year contract in the off-season, whether it is during the FA auction or the rookie draft, that player will automatically go to the FA auction the following off-season.

VIII. 2-year contracts

When a player is signed to a 2-year contract in the off-season, whether it is during the FA auction or the rookie draft, that player will play his first year under contract, and then will be up for an extension the off-season before his final contract year.

IX. 3-year contracts

When a player is signed to a 3-year contract in the off-season, whether it is during the FA auction or the rookie draft, that player will play his first and second years under contract, and then will be up for an extension the off-season before his final contract year.

X. The extension system

In the NHL, the longer you sign a player, the less money per year they usually take. The SPIHL will reflect that when making contract extensions.

When a player is up for extension, the manager has five options:

1. Do not sign the player to an extension; the player becomes a free agent the upcoming SPIHL season

2. Sign the player to a 1-year extension; the player becomes a free agent after playing two more years for his current franchise

3. Sign the player to a 2-year extension; the player plays two years and then will be up for extension again

4. Sign the player to a 3-year extension; the player plays three more years and then will be up for an extension again

The extension system is a risk-reward type system. If a franchise signs a player to a longer extension, the team will not have to pay as much year-to-year, however if the player gets injured or his performance falls off, the franchise is still financially responsible. Conversely, if a franchise signs a player to a shorter extension, the team will have to pay more cash up front, but will not have extra years of financial obligation.

When a player is up for extension, the following process will be used to determine the values for which the franchise will have to re-sign their player.

1. Look at Player A’s SPIHL salary. If Player A’s SPIHL salary is 30% less than his corresponding NHL salary, move to step 2. If Player A’s SPIHL salary is either more than his corresponding NHL salary or less than 30% less than his corresponding NHL salary, move to step 3.

2. Take Player A’s NHL salary from the latest finished NHL season.

a. If signing to a 1-year extension, take the NHL salary and multiply it by 1.25. This is the contract extension value.

b. If signing to a 2-year extension, take the NHL salary and multiply it by 1.15. This is the contract extension value.

c. If signing to a 3-year extension, take the NHL salary and multiply it by 1.05. This is the contract extension value.

3. Take Player A’s SPIHL salary in his current contract.

a. If signing to a 1-year extension, take the SPIHL salary and multiply it by 1.55. This is the contract extension value.

b. If signing to a 2-year extension, take the SPIHL salary and multiply it by 1.45. This is the contract extension value.

c. If signing to a 3-year extension, take the SPIHL salary and multiply it by 1.35. This is the contract extension value.

You must notice at this point that there is a .3 difference between the step 3 multipliers and the step 2 multipliers. This is to compensate for the 30% mentioned in step 1.

Here are the reasons for that 30% mentioned in step 1:

Example: Joe Smith, and Bobby Smith are up for extensions. Here are their current SPIHL salaries and NHL salaries:

Player	NHL Salary	SPIHL Salary
Joe Smith	10.0	0.2
Bobby Smith	10.0	9.9

Joe Smith is obviously a superstar that needs to have his SPIHL salary adjusted so that our league can follow the NHL and not fall apart. Without this adjustment, Joe Smith’s salary would always be extremely low or unrealistic and one franchise could keep him for his entire career.

Bobby Smith has been in the league for a while and is on the same level as Joe Smith talent-wise. If we did not have this 30% rule in place, both Bobby and Joe would go to 10.0 and then use the step 2 multipliers and both would be treated the same. This should not be the case. For someone like Joe Smith, who is being adjusted for the first time, the league must not use the same multipliers for him as Bobby Smith who has obviously been adjusted before and whose salary must go higher than Joe Smith’s.

The reason for the 30% window is that some players will be very near their NHL salaries in the SPIHL. Those players should take on the SPIHL salaries and use the multiplier system that we have for the SPIHL. We as a league really only want to adjust the players who have significantly higher salaries than their SPIHL salaries. 30 percent is a good window I believe for this.

XI. Salary Cap

To account for the potential increase of SPIHL salaries, the SPIHL salary cap will be reviewed in the offseason of each year and may be changed at the discretion of the League Commissioner and League Board based on recent trends in the NHL salary cap and actual NHL spending levels.

Updated 9/10/11 per instruction from commissioner John Petrick