Hello SHL!

Something I've been working on during my time in head office is trying to improve the rulebook. Many seasons ago the rulebook was re-written and improved but over time there have been issues noted and we feel we needed to make some improvements. This is a substantial list of changes so the changes have been divided into two categories:

All changes highlighted in green in the provided document have been implemented immediately and the official rulebook has already been changed to reflect these changes. The green changes are mostly clarifications to existing rules, additional explanations, and adding things officially to the rulebook that we have been working under the assumption of for many seasons.

All changes highlighted in orange in the provided document will be officially implemented into the rulebook at the end of this season. We deemed these to be substantial changes and there are a lot of changes. We wanted to give some time for GMs and players to understand the changes and ask any questions before they were officially implemented. HO is not infallible so bring forward any issues you find.

Click here for a list of changes made and to be made to the rulebook.

Highlights of substantial changes

• Removal of automatic firings for both GMs and HO members and replaced with new punishments
  
• Combining regression and GM tasks into one item in the rulebook. The regression deadline listed on the regression thread is now for player reference
  
• Adding a rule that states when a team does not own the round of pick they've been punished for in the next 3 drafts, it will be "bumped up" to the next available pick a round earlier
  
• Adding a rule that gives HO guidelines on when and how to fire GMs (to replace auto-firings have been removed from the rulebook)
  
• Adding a system for accountability for GMs breaking rules including an informal warning, a formal warning, a required meeting with HO, and HO investigations into GM performance
  
• Relaxing rules on retained salary
  
• Removal of Jack Crasher rule and replaced with "Enforceable Agreements". GMs can now be punished for trying to back out of an agreement with players.
  

While orange rules won't be officially implemented until the end of S62, HO has the right to implement them early in specific cases where it makes the most sense. For example, we're not going to continue with an automatic firing for a GM mistake when the rule is scheduled to change in a few weeks.

Our goal is to make things a little easier on GMs and not have them worry about getting fired for making a few specific mistakes. We hope communication with GMs when they break the rules will help us create a better atmosphere for them rather than scaring them into working within the rules we've set out.

Here is the current rulebook for reference if anyone would like more context to the rules that have been changed!

Thanks for your time,
SHL HO