Team Lists byDivision
U7 (Co-ed)
A Learn to Play division for boys and girls 7 and under ( as of Jan. 1)
U9 (Co-ed)
Our advanced Learn to Play division for boys and girls under the age of 9.
U12 Girls
This division is for girls only, under the age of 12!
U12 Boys
This division is for boys under the age of 12! Let's go!
U15 Girls
That's right! U15 girls is a division for girls under the age of 15!U15 Boys
U15 Boys is a division for boys under the age of 15!InformationBasics
Why balance the teams?
Competitive and close games are more fun!
You do not gain a great deal winning a game 12-1. A good, close game often brings out the best in athletes. It is more fun and encourages hard work and respect.
While every effort is made to ensure that the teams selected are of relatively equal strength, the League appreciates that this is a difficult process and all games will always have a team that wins and a team that does not win. The goal is to promote close competition, which is proven to encourage great effort and even better fun. Note that if a team is missing a top scorer or two for a game that can make a big difference. Overall, and if all players are present we will strive to balance the teams and we ask for the support and guidance of all players, parents and coaches in this effort.
What is the team balancing process?
The season will begin with a one-day seeding session where all players are evaluated after running through a series of skills.
Players will also play in mini games where we can evaluate their actual playing level. Teams will be made based on the scores.
Further player changes may be made in the first two weeks of play if it is evident that teams are unbalanced. No changes will be made after the second game of league play.
All decisions by the league seeding committee will be final.
We ask for your help with creating balanced teams
The league appreciates that moving children between teams can be uncomfortable and we will rely on parents, care givers and coaches to help ensure this process highlights the value of creating a competitive league.
By registering for the Halifax Minor Ball Hockey League all players are agreeing 100% to the team balancing process.
We ask that all players and parents read and commit to the HMBHL Code of Conduct
Players
- I will respect my opponents.
- I will play ball hockey because I want to, not just because my parents, my friends, others or coaches want me to.
- I will play by the rules of the League and in the spirit of the game.
- I will control my temper - fighting or "mouthing off" can spoil the activity for everybody.
- I will do my best to be a true team player.
- I will support my teammates, attend all possible games and arrive on time.
- I will remember that winning isn't everything - that having fun, improving skills, making friends are also important.
- I will acknowledge all good plays/performances - those of my team and those of my opponents.
- I will remember that coaches and officials are there to help me. I will accept their decisions and show them respect.
Spectators
- I will remember that participants play ball hockey for their enjoyment. They are not playing to entertain me.
- I will not have unrealistic expectations.
- I will remember that players are not professionals and cannot be judged by professional standards.
- I will respect the official's decisions and I will encourage the participants to do the same.
- I will never ridicule a player for making a mistake.
- I will give positive comments that motivate and encourage continued effort.
- I will condemn the use of violence in any form.
- I will express my disapproval in an appropriate manner to coaches and league officials.
- I will show respect for my team's opponents, because, without them, there would be no game.
- I will not use bad language, nor will I harass players, coaches, officials, or other spectators.
Parents/Guardians
- I will not force my child to participate and remember that my child plays for his or her own enjoyment, not mine.
- I will remember that the League is a community-based league operated for the benefit of the community.
- I will respect the democratic processes of the League.
- I will encourage my child to play by the rules and to resolve conflicts without resorting to hostility or violence.
- I will teach my child doing one's best is important, so they will never feel defeated by the outcome of a game.
- I will never ridicule or yell at my child for making a mistake or losing a game.
- I will remember that children learn best by example.
- I will applaud good plays/performances by both my child's team and their opponents.
- I will never question the official's judgment or honesty in public.
- I will support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from children's ball hockey games.
Coaches & League Officials
- I will be reasonable in scheduling games, remembering that parents have other interests and obligations.
- I will teach my players to play fairly and respect the rules, officials, and opponents.
- I will ensure that all players get equal instructions, support, and playing time.
- I will not ridicule or yell at players for performing poorly.
- I will remember that players play to have fun and must be encouraged to have confidence in themselves.
- I will make sure that the players' equipment and the League facilities are safe.
- I will remember that participants need a coach they can respect.
- I will obtain proper training and continue to upgrade my coaching skills.
- I will work in cooperation with the league officials for the benefit of the League and the game.
SAFTEY FIRST!
Mandatory Equipment
- CSA-approved hockey helmet with cage
- Ball hockey or soccer shin pads
- Hockey gloves
- Team T-shirts will be provided and are to be worn during all games. Additional clothing can be worn under the team T-shirt.
Advised Equipment
- Protective cup (Jock or Jill)
Elbow pads (We play on an asphalt surface) - Plan for bad weather and pack a light-weight jacket
What About Hockey Sticks?
- The hockey pad is an asphalt surface.
- Players may use ANY stick option.
- Plastic sticks are recommended. They tend to be cheaper, last longer and slide better on asphalt.
- Sticks must not be broken in any way and must have at least 1.5 inches of height to ensure they can not penetrate a regular face mask.
What About Goalie Gear
- The HMBHL will provide goalie gear for all divisions.
- All goalies must wear their own helmets.
- A goalie can bring there own gear
Referees & league officials make the final call.
The referee & league executive reserve the right to determine if any equipment is unfit for use in the HMBHL.
A safety first and common-sense approach will be taken.
The HMBHL rules are based on the CBHA Rules and Regulations. Please refer to it for a complete list of all rules. Download a PDF version of the HMBHA Rules below. Updated March 2017.
LEAGUE RULES
All people associated with the HMBHL are expected to act in a responsible and respectful manner at all times.
Misconduct will not be tolerated either during a game or around the playing surface. All people are expected to contribute the HMBHL being a safe and positive environment for all.
The call of the referee is final. Once the referee makes a call they will not change it. It is respected that referees can make errors and all participants agree to accept this.
The league will establish a disciplinary committee of 3 people to deal with all unsportsmanlike or disrespectful conduct. The decision of the disciplinary committee will be considered final.
No refunds will be provided if a person is expelled from the HMBHL.
Fighting or abusive conduct may result in the offending person being removed from the league The offending person will not be allowed to return to the HMBHL until the disciplinary committee deems it appropriate.
Dangerous and overly aggressive play nor verbal abuse will not be tolerated. All such offenses will be dealt with firmly and may lead to the offending person being expelled from the HMBHL.
All participants accept that there will be zero tolerance for disrespectful conduct and warnings should not be expected.
CSA approved helmet with full facial protection, hockey gloves or D-Gel Zebra gloves and soccer shin pads mandatory; an athletic cup recommended, soft elbow pads and knee pads are optional but recommended.
GAME RULES
The following are the rules for both the Grades 3-6 and Grades 7-9 divisions.
Only HMBHL approved coaches or volunteers are allowed on the player’s bench. Teams can have a maximum of three coaches. Games will be played 4 on 4. Four runners and one goalie will play at one time. A team will need a minimum of 4 runners and a goalie to start the game. Games consist of two 20-minute run-time periods. There will be no overtime in regular season play. In the playoffs, overtime will be one 10-minute, run-time, sudden-death period. (First goal wins) If still tied, each team will take three penalty shots. If the score remains tied, the game will go into sudden-death penalty shots.
If a team does not have the minimum number of players 5 minutes after the posted start time the game will be forfeited and a score of 5-0 will be posted.
There will be no icing calls or off-side calls, similar to rules of Play On!
Slap shots are allowed.
Penalties are called as soon as the infraction occurs. No delay. After a penalty is called a face-off at centre will occur.
All face-offs are at centre floor. A face-off at centre will occur after each goal.
If the goalie covers the ball, the ref blows the whistle and the ball is placed behind the defensive net. All offensive players must go beyond the defensive goal line. A defensive player takes position directly behind the net. They must become set quickly. Once set, the ref will blow the whistle to resume play.
If the ball goes out of play the ref will blow the whistle. The ball will be placed close to where it left the playing surface. The team that did not touch the ball last will be given possession. The defensive player must give 6 feet of space, the game resumes when the referee blows the whistle.
Each team shall be permitted one 30-second timeout per game.
The final score will always reflect a maximum seven-goal spread for tiebreaker purposes regardless of the actual score. If Team A defeats Team B 9-1, the final score will be recorded as a 8-1 result.
High sticking the ball will result in a two-minute penalty. High sticking is called when a player raises their stick above their shoulder and their stick touches the ball.
If a player loses their helmet during play they must pick it up and put it back on before rejoining the play, otherwise it will result in a two-minute penalty.
All stick penalties are two-minute minor penalties. Stick penalties include Slashing, High Sticking, Cross Checking, Spearing Minor and Butt-ending Minor.
Any player receiving 3 penalties of any kind in one game will be ejected from the game.
A Hit From Behind penalty, regardless if it is a minor or major penalty results, in an automatic game ejection.