Here are a number of questions parents have asked in the past

Why is ball hockey such a great sport?

·         Ball hockey gives players the chance to learn hockey fundamentals (stickhandling, passing, shooting, teamwork) before stepping on the ice.

·         It helps players build skills, confidence, and fitness that carry over to ice hockey and other sports.

·         Ball hockey is perfect dry-land cross-training for ice hockey.

·         It allows families to gauge a child’s interest in hockey before committing to the higher costs of ice hockey.

·         NSMBHL provides goaltending gear, allowing kids to try this fantastic position before families face the high cost of purchasing goalie equipment.

What are the NSMBHL age groups?

·         Our core age groups are U7, U9, U12, and U15.

·         Age groups may be modified and/or combined depending on registration numbers in a particular division.

My player has never played ball hockey or ice hockey before. Can I still join?

·         Absolutely. Our league is perfect for players new to sport.

·         Our goal is to create close, competitive, and fun games.

·         We balance teams as best we can, and our teams will include a mix of new and more experienced players.

How do we create teams?

·      We will group players from the same area. Ie  We will group kids from Sackville or East Hants etc together. Then we will balance the teams based on skill level to promote competitive and fun games. While this works for the most part, no matter how hard we try the odd lopsided score will occur.  

Create your own Team name?

·           We encourage the kids to come up with a cool team name. As most are proud to rep their town we have had the Sackville Flyers, East Hants Penguins, Halifax Jr Mooseheads etc.

How do we balance the teams?

·      During the first session we run all players through a series of skill stations and then watch them play in a warm-up game. Based on what view we will adjust the teams the best we can. The first session is also a great time to check equipment with the assigned coach and to ask any questions you have.

 Individual or team registration

·         You can register as an individual (youth or adult), and we will place you on a team/division that fits your skill level.

·         If you like, you can request to play with up to 3 buddies. This can help with carpooling etc. This is done during the registration process.

·         If numbers are high in an age group, we may offer a competitive division. Teams can register as a complete or near complete team (9-11 Players) in the competitive division only. As some kids will register as individuals and request to play competitive, we can help you fill out your team.

·         To register as a competitive team, have all players enter the coach’s name where buddy requests are made during the registration process.  Teams can be entered and added to as players are recruited.  A team must have 4 players registered to secure space.

·         Competitive teams will not be rebalanced. Team coaches are also requested to send an email to admin@nsmbhl.ca to let us know your plans.

Is there contact in the sport of ball hockey?

·         While the Nova Scotia Minor Ball Hockey League is a non-contact league, some contact is possible due to the nature of the sport.

·         Our league promotes safety, sportsmanship, and respectful play at all times, and our officials will help ensure the league is safe for all participants.

How will I receive updates about the league?

·         Ongoing updates are posted on our website (nsmbhl.ca) and our Facebook page.

·         League schedules and team lists are posted on the website.

What should I do if my child misses a game?

·         If you know in advance, please inform your coach or league contact as early as possible.

·         Players are encouraged to attend consistently so teams remain balanced and games stay competitive.

Can my child play with friends (buddy requests)?

·         Yes. Players can request up to three (3) buddies during registration.

·         Buddy requests should be reciprocal (each player requests the other) to help us place players correctly.

Where are games played?

·         Locations vary by community and season. Facility details will be posted with schedules on the website. For the HRM and East Hants Spring 2026 league we will be suing Lebrun Arena, Greenfoot Centre, Gorsebrook Park and the Gray Arena in Dartmouth.

When will we get our schedule?

·         Like all leagues, we must wait until the facilities confirm space before we create a final schedule. We will confirm locations as soon as possible.

·         Your complete schedule will be posted on our website

 How long are games?

·         Each session will be one hour in length.

 Who referees the games?

·         Officials are trained NSMBHL officials who help ensure safe, fair, and organized play. Our officials are local youth hockey players, typically between the ages of 15-21 years old.  We work with our youth officials throughout the season and expect that they will be professional in all they do.

Can parents/guardians stay and watch?

·        We charge $.25 for parents and $.10 for Grandparents.  All Leaf fans are admitted free! 

Yes of course. Spectators are welcome. 

What if my child wants to try goalie but has never played the position?

·         That is totally fine. We can help introduce the basics of the position.

·         NSMBHL provides goalie gear so kids can try the position without the upfront cost of equipment.

What if I have questions or ideas during the season?

·         Start with your coach or League Manager for team and game-day questions

.·         For registration, policies, or league operations, contact us through the website or email admin@nsmbhl.ca.

·     We will at the rink wearing NSMBHL tshirts so please do not hesittate to come up and say hi. We can talk and answer questions at anytime.