FAQ

When does the season start and end?

Our season is dependent on when the ice is taken out of the hockey arenas. The season typically starts in March around spring break with player assessments. Regular games start in early April and run until early June. We will have playoffs to determine who plays in our championship weekend which usually is on Fathers’ Day weekend. The winning team from each division will represent Metro at the Provincials which will likely be over the July 1st long weekend. Provincial games are held by one of the local associations.

Are there any all-girls teams?

Yes! In 2022, Metro successfully created three female teams that played against the Surrey and Richmond associations. We now have three female divisions, U13, U16 and U19. We aim to keep friends together and no experience is required. Female players will have the opportunity to play on both the co-ed teams as well as the female teams. Keep in mind that there is a possibility of scheduling conflicts by being on two teams.

What is Tyke division?

Our Tyke division is for our youngest players (ages 4 – 6) and is an introduction to ball hockey with the focus on fun, skills, and mini games. The tyke program typically runs on Saturday mornings.

Can a request be made for car-pooling purposes?

The league has over 700 players and has developed a draft process to ensure the teams are as balanced as possible. Therefore, any requests must be submitted in writing and will be reviewed by the division leads before being submitted to the coaches for their consideration on draft day. We cannot guarantee your request will be granted.

Can I request that my child play for a specific coach?

You can indicate your request on the registration form. The coaches will be notified of any requests, but we cannot guarantee that it will be granted.

How are teams chosen? They are not balanced.

The teams are drafted by the coaches and/or division leads depending on the division. We have a very sophisticated computer program to aid us with the draft process. All the players are assessed and given a rating and the coaches/division leads will in turn will pick their players. Every coach is given the same information regarding the player’s ranking and any special requests are also shared. The draft process is only as good as the information provided from assessments.

I have twins, will they be on the same team?

Twins will be placed on the same team, unless requested otherwise. Siblings that are in the same division will also be placed on the same team. We cannot place siblings on the same team if they are in different divisions.

Can two friends be put on the same team?

Coaches are made aware of special requests (friends, carpooling etc.) but the goal is to have balanced teams and requests may not always be granted. Metro does allow for two protected players on a team, typically it is the players of the Head Coach and one Assistant Coach.

How many players are on a team?

Depending on the division there are between 15-19 players per team, including the goalie. We try to have larger rosters for the higher divisions due to work and school commitments which often leads to lower attendance rate.

I cannot coach full-time but I would like to help out. What can I do?

We understand that everyone is busy and cannot help as much as they would like. In regard to coaching, we can often group two or three coaches together so they can work together to attend the games/practices. Assistant coaches, managers and general helpers are always needed. We would like to offer skill development sessions during the season, and would appreciate anyone who can come to help the players. We are always open to new ideas and new volunteers to help improve our league. Just send us an email to volunteer@metroballhockey.ca and we will get back to you.

Are the parents required to do any volunteer time?

Metro does not require parents to volunteer but without your help, we cannot run the season. We have a small group of volunteers who do many jobs so that your player can play. We can always use more volunteers.

What is the difference between the Mountain and Pacific divisions?

The BC Minor Ball Hockey associations decided in 2015 that the sport would benefit from dividing the upper divisions of Minor, Major and Junior into Mountain (also known as tier A or tier 1) and Pacific (tier B or tier 2) divisions. The Mountain division players are typically more competitive and have stronger skills. The rule within the associations is that the teams must be equally divided plus 1 if there is an uneven number of teams. Therefore if we have 8 teams in Junior, 4 will be Mountain and 4 will be Pacific. If we have 9 teams, then it will be 4 and 5 teams depending on the skill level of the players. We are not permitted to have only 2 Mountain teams and 6 Pacific teams even if the skill level is not there to run 4 Mountain teams. The player ratings and assessments determine whether a player will be in the Mountain or Pacific division. This was introduced to allow all players equal playing time, and for players to feel they are challenged, and are having fun regardless of their skill level.

Who do I complain to if I have a problem?

The team manager is the first person to talk to regarding any problems. If they cannot help you, then they will contact the division lead. The division lead can discuss the problem with the executive if they are unable to solve your problem. We wish to remind you of the 24 hour rule when making a complaint, let cooler heads prevail. If it is a concern of personal safety, then please report it right away.

What is WCC? How can my player join?

WCC is the Western Challenge Cup and was created in 1999 to provide a tournament for skilled minor ball hockey players to compete against other teams from the Western provinces. The tournament is over a four-day period during the middle of July. Age groups are U11, U13, U15, U17 and U19. Players are by invite only and the final team selection is decided by the coaches and the Metro executive.

How long has Metro Minor Ball Hockey been around?

The league has been around since 1998, with over 50 teams and a rapidly growing female only division.

What are the divisions?

For the 2023 season, the divisions are based on players year of birth:

How long is the season?

The season runs from mid-March until the middle of June, with extended time for those teams that make the Provincials. Games are held during the week and the weekends. Typically, there is one practice and one game per week.

Do we have to travel to any other sites to play?

Yes. Our association home games are played mainly at rinks in Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver. However the association interlocks play with Valley Ball Hockey, Maple Ridge, Surrey, Tri-City, Richmond, and Delta, which would require travel to their rinks.

My child plays ice hockey, baseball, and soccer in the spring. Can they still register?

It is detrimental to the team if your player does not show up because they have other sports or activities to attend. A bench that is too short cannot compete fairly with other teams and associations. It is not fair to the coaches and other players who are often forced to forfeit a game because of a lack of players. As well, we have many players on the waitlist who are denied a spot on a team by someone who isn’t committed to playing.

When does registration open?

Registration generally opens in early December. Please register early so that we can determine how many teams there will be in each division and create the schedule. Most divisions fill up quickly and then you will be waitlisted. The number of teams varies per year depending on enrollment so the sooner you register the better. On average we have about 50 teams with over 700 players aged 4-19.

Can we get our money back if my child decides they do not want to play?

A written request must be sent to the Metro Minor Ball Hockey Association if you are withdrawing a registration.
A $30 administration fee will be subtracted from your refund if your written request is received before any player evaluation session.
A $50 administration fee will be subtracted from your refund if your written request is received after the player evaluation sessions have started.
NO REFUNDS will be provided once draft and player placement on teams has occurred.
Please note if the association cancels season due to health and COVID-19 concerns, the association will hold back $20 for credit card and registration site fees.

What equipment is required?

Mandatory Equipment

Hockey stick
- Must be a real hockey stick, plastic sticks are not allowed
- Should be cut to about chin height
- Must be taped at the top to prevent the stick going through a helmet cage
C.S.A. approved helmet with full cage/shield.
Protective cup for boys; Jill for girls
Hockey gloves
Shin pads – D Gels or comparable. Soccer shin pads can be used but they must be covered with socks.
Goalies wear full gear (with C.S.A. approved helmet). Goalie equipment is provided by the league.

Recommended Equipment

Elbow pads (soft volleyball style)
Knee pads (soft volleyball style)
Throat protector for goalies

The league will provide jerseys for the season. A damage deposit of $100 is required, which will be returned when the jerseys are returned undamaged.

Where can I buy the equipment? Do you have used equipment that we can use?

Stores such as Pro Hockey Life, The Hockey Shop Source for Sports, Cyclone Sports, SportChek, and Canadian Tire carry ball hockey gear. We do not have used equipment. If you have financial difficulties regarding equipment or registration, please email us. We support KidSport.

Do Goalies need to supply their own gear?

Metro Minor Ball Hockey Association will supply all the gear needed for the goalies with the exception of a helmet. You can use your regular CSA approved player helmet. A street hockey mask is NOT acceptable. A neck protector is also recommended. If you need to borrow goalie gear, please inform the division lead so that we can make arrangements to get the properly sized gear for you before the season starts.

When are games played?

The league makes every effort to schedule games at times that are suitable for each age group. Games are held on weeknights and weekends. There are typically two games/practices per week.

How many games are there in a season?

There are approximately 14-16 games during the regular season for all divisions from Peanut to Junior. Every team will play in the playoffs in June.

How many practices are there in a season?

Typically, there is one practice a week. Due to lack of floor time, the majority of practice times will be shared with another team. Some coaches may be able to obtain extra practice times at the reserved outdoor hockey boxes or school gyms. If you have practice at an outdoor box, please bring an old stick and do not use Metro goalie gear; the rough surface will ruin the equipment rather quickly.

What days are the games and practices on?

The schedule is not set until mid March so we cannot tell you what days your child might play until you receive the schedule from your coach. The scheduler works with the available floor time and the other associations to ensure the teams have an equal number of games and practices. The schedule is created so that the younger divisions play earlier in the evening and the older kids play later at night. Games can start as early as 8AM or as late as 9PM.

Where are the games played?

Home games are typically played at Kensington arena (6159 Curtis St, Burnaby), Burnaby Lake arena (3676 Kensington Ave, Burnaby). We also use Moody Park Arena in New Westminster and Killarney or Trout Lake Arenas in Vancouver. All divisions, except Tyke, will have away games which may require travel to Surrey, Richmond, Langley, Vancouver, Coquitlam and Maple Ridge.

Is ball hockey a “no contact” sport?

Yes, Canadian Ball Hockey Association rules penalize players for body checking (body contact). Referees will call penalties for game infractions. Serious incidents may result in game suspensions or total bans. Please note it is a fast sport and incidental body contact does occur.

Do I have to be a parent to coach?

No, you do not have to be a parent to coach. We have several coaches who are current or former Metro players who love the game and are coaches. If they are under 19, then we can assign an adult coach to be a mentor.

How come there is only one referee or sometimes no refs at a game? Can’t you pay them more so they will show up?

We are not the only association to have a shortage of referees. Often new referees quit mid-season due to the stress and verbal abuse they receive during games. Many refs also have scheduling conflicts with their own games, other work, or school events. Their pay scale is on par with the other leagues. We cannot pay a referee extra as an incentive to come out to a game. If you are interested in becoming a referee, please see the referee page for more information.

Can we get our money back if my child decides they do not want to play?