How to Play
THE DRAFT
1. Recruit friends to form a league. It is suggested that you only ask hockey fans that
are interested in playing. People that are coerced into playing usually lose interest. Try to
keep an even number of players to ease schedule making. A range of 8 to 16 teams is suggested.
2. Have a meeting to discuss scoring systems prior to the draft. Keep it simple if you are
just starting a league. The scoring method must be in place prior to the draft to allow team
owners to develop strategies. Players' values increase or decrease based on different methods.
3. Determine what position players can be used at. For example, certain players play both
forward and defensemen. It is up to the individual leagues to determine if they can be used
solely at one position or can go both ways. Either way, make sure this is determined prior to the
draft.
4. Use the serpentine method for drafting. Draw numbers from a hat to determine draft order. The
order is reversed in even numbered rounds.
5. Hold the draft when all team owners can attend. Drafting for absent owners takes the fun out
of the draft. Drafts are usually held one week prior to the start of the regular season.
THE ROSTER
The size of the roster shall be determined at the pre-draft meeting. The size will vary depending on
the number of teams in the league and owner interest. The following is a good rule of thumb
for starting a league:
8 to 12 Forwards
5 to 8 Defensemen
3 to 4 Goalies
2 to 3 Goons
1 to 2 Power Play Teams
From this roster an active roster will be selected. Usually 5-10 Forwards, 3-6 Defensemen, 2 Goalies,
1-2 Goons and 1 Power Play Team. Once again, the size is to be determined at the pre-draft meeting.
The active roster can be changed on a weekly or monthly basis as agreed upon.
TRADES & WAIVER WIRE
Players can be traded between teams. Non-drafted players can be added by a waiver wire method or
by holding a supplemental draft later in the season. Generally teams with the worst record are
allowed first choice using a waiver wire method. At the end of every week or month, non-drafted
players can be added to rosters. The roster size cannot change, so a player must be dropped for
every player picked up.
SCORING METHODS
A. THE POINTS SYSTEM
The simplest way to keep score is by counting points. Goals and assists each count as one point
for each defensemen and forwards. Goaltenders earn two points for each win and an additional three
for each shutout (so a shutout victory is worth 5 points). Goons earn one point for every five
penalty minutes, while power play teams earn 1 point for each power play goal.
Forwards and Defensemen
Goal = 1 point
Assist = 1 point
Goalies
Win = 2 points
Shutout = 3 points
Goons
5 Penalty Minutes = 1 point
Power Play Team
Goal = 1 point
B. THE ALL-AROUND PLAY SYSTEM
Incorporating plus/minus ratings into the fantasy ratings, rewards players for better all-around play
rather than just for scoring alone. The following method is used to keep track of player's plus/minus
ratings. Goals count as three points, assists as two points and the "+/-" is either added or
subtracted from the total. In order to balance out scoring for the goalies, wins are worth five points
and shutouts are worth an additional five. Penalty minutes for goons are worth one point apiece, and
the goons "+/-" ratings are also added in. Power play team goals are each worth three points.
Goons do not score for goals and assists. Only penalty minutes and "+/-" ratings. Conversely,
penalty minutes are not added in for forwards, goalies and defensemen.
Forwards and Defensemen
Goal = 3 points
Assists = 2 points
+/- = actual value
Goalies
Win = 5 points
Shutout = 5 points
Goons
1 Penalty Minutes = 1 point
+/- = actual value
Power Play Team
Goal = 3 points
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