2.4 Expansion

The league will provide a minimum of one full season's notice if expansion is planned.

2.4.1 2022 Expansion

The League expanded by one team prior to the beginning of the 2022-2023 Season. The 2018 expansion franchise, Seattle Grunge, was exempt from participating this draft.

2.4.1.1 Player Exposure Requirements (2022 expansion rules as an example)

All Existing Clubs except the Seattle Grunge must meet the following minimum requirements regarding players exposed for selection in the Expansion Draft:

1. One defenseman who:
   • is under contract for 2022-23 OR has RFA status at the time of the Expansion Draft
   • played in 40 or more SICHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more SICHL games in the prior
     two seasons.
2. Two forwards who:
   • are under contract for 2022-23 OR have RFA status at the time of the Expansion Draft
   • played in 40 or more SICHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more SICHL games in the prior
     two seasons.
3. One goaltender who:
   • is under contract for 2022-23 OR has RFA status at the time of the Expansion Draft

Players who have retired from the NHL or have UFA status at the time of the Expansion Draft may not be used to satisfy a club's player exposure requirements. Such players may also be deemed exempt from selection by the League.

Should an existing club be unable to meet the minimum player exposure requirements, the club will be fined $5,000,000 for each missing player, plus must post an additional $5,000,000 purse that the expansion club may choose to select in lieu of an eligible player. The fine and purse money will be deducted from the Club's current balance.

2.4.1.2 Protection Lists (2022 expansion rules as an example)

Existing Clubs except the Seattle Grunge will have two options for protecting players from selection in the Expansion Draft. Teams may elect to protect:

1. Seven (7) forwards, three (3) defensemen and one (1) goaltender
2. Eight (8) skaters (forwards/defensemen) and one (1) goaltender

Franchise Players must be protected and will be counted toward their Club's applicable protection limits.

2.4.1.3 Player Exemptions (2022 expansion rules as an example)

Players who meet the following criteria are ineligible for selection in the Expansion Draft and will not be counted toward their club's applicable protection limits:

• Players who were not rated before the 2019-20 season
• Unrated players

2.4.1.4 Expansion Draft Format (2022 expansion rules as an example)

• The Expansion Club must select one player from each existing club except the Seattle Grunge for a total of 28 players.
• The Expansion Club may elect to sign one additional player with UFA status as their Franchise Player, using the salary Matrix.
• The Expansion Club must select the following minimum number of players at each position: 15 forwards, 8 defensemen and 3 goaltenders.
• The Expansion Club may not buy out any of the players selected in the Expansion Draft earlier than the 2023 off-season.
• The Expansion Club will be given equivalent of the third best odds for the Entry Draft Lottery.