Frequently Asked Questions
Each team can expect to have 1-2 sessions per week. Most games will be played on the weekend. You can expect one game on the weekend. If required, a second game maybe be played on the weekend or on a week night. Earlier time slots will be dedicated to the younger divisions and we will try be create a consistent schedule whenever possible.
Each league will start mid April/early May and end late June/mid July. More detailed information will be posted as soon as the facilities confirm our rental.
Most games will be played at the following times:
- Halifax Minor - Gorsebrook Park - Saturday 8:00 to 1:00
- Bedford Minor - Lebrun Arena - Saturday 2:00 to 6:00
- Dartmouth/Sackville Minor - The league will begin with games at RBC- Sunday 8:00 to 1:00
- East Hants Minor - East Hants Sportsplex - Sunday 2:00 to 6:00
Dartmouth and Sackville have been combined due to facility availability.
A final schedule the will be posted on this website one week before your first game. On the left hand menu open, "Teams Lists by League" and "Schedule by League" and then scroll down to find your players Team List and Schedule. Be sure to find the correct league and age group and keep an eye out for changes and announcements. We will use this website to keep people posted regarding what is happening with each league.
During the 2024 Spring season the Nova Scotia Minor Ball Hockey League will operate 4 great leagues! The schedule, including time and location, will be posted as soon as we are informed what facilities have been made available for our use. We anticipate this information by early April.
Halifax Minor - Most games played at the Outdoor Gorsebrook Ball Hockey Court!
Bedford Minor - most games will be played at the Lebrun Arena. Some games may be played at other local arenas including the Zatzman Sportsplex or the RBC 4 Pad.
Sackville/Dartmouth Minor - Games may be played at a variety of facilities including the BMO 4 Pad, The Sackville Arena, The Lebrun in Bedford or the Zatzman Sportsplex.
East Hants Minor - All games will be played at the East Hants Sportsplex.
All teams will play 13 sessions. The season will begin with one exhibition game. This session will be used to ensure all players have the correct equipment and that parents and players have a chance to meet the coaches and ask questions etc. All players will receive a Pinnie to use for this session. Pinnies will be collected at the end of the session.
Please be sure to inform your player that Teams will be in "DRAFT" form and this game will be used to evaluate players and balance the teams. Final teams will be posted soon after the exhibition session. Additional player changes may be made by league officials if it is clear that switching a few players might help balance the teams and make the league better for all. We do hope to have the teams set by the 2nd game.
Each Division will typically have 4 teams and they will play a 3 round, round robin (9 games). This will be followed by a 2 game play-offs. Schedules may be adjusted depending on weather and facility availability.
Safety will always be our #1 priority. With this in mind, the NSMBHL will always err of the side of caution. When in doubt regarding equipment or rules be sure to ask your coach or League Manager.
Mandatory Equipment
- All players must wear CSA approved helmet approved helmet with full facial protection.
- Standard hockey gloves
- Running shoes
- Knee pads are required. light weight ball hockey or soccer shin pads are recommended.
- Standard hockey sticks are used to play the game. They can be either plastic, wooden or composite. 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. Floorball sticks are not permitted.
Optional Equipment
- Although not mandatory, it is recommended that players wear elbow pads and an athletic cup.
What About Goalie Gear?
A complete set of ball or ice hockey goalie gear must be worn. In the u8 and U10 divisions ball hockey gear can be worn. In the u12 and u15 ice hockey quality gear is to be worn to ensure adequate protection. It is understood that used, and perhaps old, ice hockey goalie gear may be used. The key to consider is goalie safety.
Goalie gear will include:
- Mask or helmet and full cage
- Trapper and blocker
- Goalie pads
- Hockey pants
- Chest and arm protector
- A goalie stick
- An athletic cup
It is the responsibility of each player and parent to know the rules including what equipment is required. When in doubt please ask your coach or League Manager.
We encourage goalies to bring their own gear. The league does have a limited supply that it can loan. This supply is limited and will be shared on a first come first served basis. The league has limited goalie gear to share and we will provide.
Team Jersey - Each player will be provided a cool Team Jersey. They will keep this jersey for the season. The jerseys are to be returned in good shape at the end of the season. We will record which jersey each player wears. To play in our league all parents, guardians must agree to pay a fee of $35 should your player not return their jersey. We will send an invoice for $35 if your players jerseys is not returned. Please help with this by ensuring your jersey is returned.
Please ensure your player arrives with their jersey for each game as the jersey makes them look and feel part of the Team!
For a complete set of rules go to the "About NSMBHL" section where you will find a "rules "page.
Generally speaking, we follow common hockey rules. There are a few exceptions so please be sure to review all rules . Your players coach will help ensure all players learn and respect the rules.
A few key exceptions:
- We play cross rink either 4x4 or 3x3
- There are no off sides
- When the goaltender covers the ball it is placed behind the net. A defending player will take possession behind the net. On the referees whistle, the play will resume.
- All face-offs are at Centre Court.
- When the ball goes our of play, the ball is placed where it left the playing surface, the team that did not touch the ball last will be given possession, play will resume on the refs whistle.
It is a great idea to ask questions of your coach or referees if you or your player are unsure of a rule.
Please visit our Rules page for more information.
To register
- Go to the registration page on this website.
- Carefully highlight the league you will play in and your age division.
- Be sure to provide all required information on the registration form.
- Provide an honest assessment of your players current athletic ability as this information will help us form balanced teams.
- Complete and submit the waiver form.
- Pay your registration fee in full.
- Payment can be made by credit card on this website.
- Registration will not be finalized until full registration payment is made.
- You will receive an email message confirming your players registration.
- If you do not receive your confirmation email please let us know by emailing admin@nsmbhl.ca .
You will only receive a confirmation email after payment is received. Until payment is made and you receive your confirmation email you are not officially registered.
The fee per player may vary by league as the costs can be different. Of note, some leagues play outdoor while others play in an indoor arena (more expensive)
- Halifax Minor - $160 (outdoor facility)
- Sackville Minor - $175 (dry arena)
- East Hants Minor - $175 ( dry arena )
- Bedford Minor - $175 (dry arena)
- Dartmouth Minor - $175 (dry arena)
Each player will receive the following:
- 13 sessions of Ball Hockey
- Players will receive a logoed and numbered team jersey to wear during the season. The jerseys are to be returned at the end of the season.
- Coaches are trained and committed to ensuring each player learn the game and has fun.
- All games will have a trained referee.
- All teams will play in the Championship Day!
- A safe and fun place to play ball hockey.
- Opportunities to play in future tournaments including a the Provincial Championships
Please note our refund policy: Once registration is received, if a player decides not to play for any reason, they may request a refund. The league will refund $100 of your registration fee anytime before the second game of the season as posted on this website. Please ensure your player is able to play before registering.
After the second game of the season there will be no further refunds.
Hopefully the teams will work out and players will have a chance to play with their buddies. In the past we have welcomed buddy requests and this proved to be very difficult. Particularly as our priority is to create parity amongst the teams.
That said, we are no longer going to consider buddy requests. This will be more in line with minor hockey and soccer and will ultimately give kids a chance to make more new friends.
Keep in mind that kids in the same age group will likely play during the same hour and will often play against one another, so buddies will see each other often and at every session.
Balancing teams will remain our priority.
Thanks