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Compliance

Reporting

The goal of West Fargo Hockey Association Compliance is to receive your compliance concern and thoroughly investigate. Please do not hesitate to bring things to our attention. Our process and procedures are designed to resolve concerns in a timely manner while respecting the importance of conducting a thorough review of the circumstances. 

The West Fargo Hockey Association’s 2025-26 compliance policy will involve submission of the grievance form (link available to start season) for review by the compliance committee. The committee (roster announced closer to season) will meet every Monday at noon during the season with follow-up meetings scheduled as needed. The vote of this committee, after thorough investigation and analysis of a filed report, will be the final say in the matter, unless involvement from the North Dakota Amateur Hockey Association, law enforcement, or USA Hockey is necessary.

Thank you for making us aware of your concerns and please be prepared to expand on these concerns when contacted by one of our compliance committee members. The West Fargo Hockey Association has the right to make executive decisions regarding but not limited to; WFHA, NDAHA, and USA Hockey regulations, personal improvement plans, suspensions, coaching, programming, and overall function or structure of hockey operations.

Zero Tolerance Policy

   

2025-26 Zero-Tolerance List and Protocol

Breaking any of the rules on the zero-tolerance list will put you and/or a player in the Association’s disciplinary process.  This zero-tolerance list was created to properly punish the most severe violations.   Violations outside of this list will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.  Reporting will involve a uniform incident report form that will be submitted to a compliance committee of three.    The vote of this committee will be the final say in the matter, unless involvement from USA Hockey, North Dakota Amateur Hockey, law enforcement or SafeSport is necessary.   Board and Staff/Compliance officers of WFHA will be held to these same standards.  If they should become part of the process their continued involvement with WFHA will be determined by the Board of Directors.  

  • The minimum punishment for a zero-tolerance violation will be a two-week suspension from all WFHA sanctioned activities. 
  • WFHA reserves the right to issue a summary suspension to keep the accused away prior to the conclusion of the investigation and this may or may not be added to the length of punishment following the investigation concluding.
  • The maximum punishment for a zero-tolerance violation will be a suspension for the remainder of the season from WFHA sanctioned activities for legal guardians AND players.
  • Separate discipline may be levied by USA Hockey/North Dakota Amateur Hockey concerning other USA Hockey/NDAHA sanctioned activities
  • In the event an incident goes to the SafeSport level, and they take jurisdiction, then WFHA is out of the process.

Zero-Tolerance List (update 5/25)

  1. Reported and confirmed obscene profanity, objectionable cheers or offensive gestures towards spectators, officials or participants at an event.  (includes racial/gender slurs)
  2. Reported and confirmed malicious damaging of property at WFHA sanctioned events.  This included locker rooms and common spaces within a rink.  Damage can be structural or graffiti related.
  3. Reported and confirmed throwing of any items on the playing surface or into the stands at an event.
  4. Reported and confirmed unapproved entering of a locker room.  Entering this space begins once the door is opened or if yelling through the door occurs. .  Locker rooms are private areas for players, coaches, and other certified individuals. 
  5. Reported and confirmed hostile or argumentative contact (face to face, phone, texting, emailing) of any WFHA administrator, team coaches or compliance committee members prior to a mandatory 24-hour waiting period.
  6. Reported and confirmed inappropriate addressing of an issue while at the rink in front of players, coaches or spectators.
  7. Reported and confirmed use of an illegal substance by WFHA players, coaches, or members during a WFHA event or at any facility used by WFHA.
  8. Reported and confirmed evidence of threatening officials, coaches, members, or non-members.  This included physical contact of any kind.
  9. Reported and confirmed evidence of abusive behavior between players (Bullying).  https://uscenterforsafesport.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Bullying-Trifold-1.pdf
  10. Reported and confirmed theft of property
  11. Confirmed inappropriate or obscene use of social media and official team chat rooms.
  12. Reported and confirmed false allegations

WFHA will implement a 3-strike policy with players which requires coaches to approach compliance if consistent behavior is witnessed following warnings and coaching tactics.