League Policies
Midwest High School Hockey League Policy
Section Four: OFF-ICE PENALTIES & DISCIPLINE
401: STANDARD ON TOBACCO USE OR POSSESSION
(a) The first-offense penalty for possession of tobacco products, including vaping of any kind and nicotine products, is
suspension for the next 2 scheduled Varsity games and/or the next 2 scheduled Jr. Varsity games. The second-offense penalty
for possession includes suspension for the next 4 scheduled Varsity games and/or the next 4 scheduled Jr. Varsity games,
plus one-calendar-year probation beginning at the date of the 1st offense. If a 3rd offense occurs during probation, the player
is suspended for one-calendar year from the date of the 3rd offense. If the player has no violation within the probation year,
full eligibility is restored. Harsher local policies will apply along with League suspensions.
(b) Enforcement begins September 1st and is effective through the dates of USA Hockey America’s High School
Showcase/USA Hockey High School Nationals.
402: STANDARD ON ALCOHOL/DRUG USE OR POSSESSION, AND OTHER CRIMES
(a) The first-offense penalty for using, or having possession of, alcoholic beverages or illegally controlled substances; or,
being legally convicted of a crime (excluding minor traffic violations) or choosing to enter into a diversion agreement in lieu
of a conviction, is suspension for the next 4 scheduled Varsity games and/or the next 4 scheduled Jr. Varsity games, plus one-
calendar-year probation from the date of the 1st offense. If a 2nd offense occurs during probation, the player is suspended for
one-calendar year from the date of the 2nd offense. If the player has no violation within the year after the 1st offense, full
eligibility is restored. Harsher local policies will apply along with MHSHL suspensions.
(b) League policy will be in accord with the Iowa High School Athletic Association, which states that discipline is at the
discretion of the local school board. The League expects discipline for hockey to be similar for all other interscholastic
athletics.
(c) Enforcement begins September 1st and is effective through the dates of USA Hockey America’s High School
Showcase/USA Hockey High School Nationals.
403: ABUSE AND MISCONDUCT OF SOCIAL MEDIA
(a) Social media and other electronic communication used to commit abuse and misconduct by any participant of a USA
Hockey Program are considered violations of USA Hockey’s SafeSport Program and are subject to disciplinary action.Des Moines Capitals’ Player Code of Conduct – Page 4 of 5
Des Moines Capitals Policy
Section Five: OFF-ICE PENALTIES & DISCIPLINE
501: TRAVEL AND HOTEL POLICY
(a) The first-offense penalty for leaving the hotel (off-premises) without prior approval from a team official, is
suspension for the next 5 scheduled Varsity games and/or the next 5 scheduled Jr. Varsity games. The second-offense penalty
for leaving the hotel (off-premises) without prior approval from a team official, is dismissal from the team.
Des Moines Capitals Policy
Section Six: ABUSE POLICY & DISCIPLINE
601: HAZING AND BULLYING POLICY
(a) The first-offense penalty for hazing and/or bullying violations, is suspension for the next 5 scheduled Varsity
games and/or the next 5 scheduled Jr. Varsity games. The second-offense penalty for hazing and/or bullying violations is
dismissal from the team.