Minor Ball Hockey League Launches Second Season

Photo supplied.
Leaf and Hab sweaters, local ball hockey players enjoyed some off-season games last summer at the Millbrook arena in the summer Ball Hockey League.

As the end of the local ice hockey season draws near, hockey enthusiasts can find solace in the knowledge that its warm-weather equivalent will be starting soon to fill the void.

Players can ditch their hockey skates and don some sneakers for a warmer hockey experience in the Millbrook arena this spring.

Last year, Guye Vondette launched a co-ed, minor ball hockey league in Millbrook which ran from April to June. Fueled by the participation and enthusiasm this first year, the league will begin again this spring, running from April 11th to June 30th.

The league action includes 12 games and a playoff period followed by a banquet and awards event for the participants.  During the games, the atmosphere in the arena is ramped up as goals, assists and penalties are announced over a PA system with music played in between periods.  The league is fully insured and is certified by the Ontario Ball Hockey Association (OBHA) with all games monitored by certified referees.  Registration permitting, Vondette hopes to have teams in the Tyke, Novice, Atom and Peewee divisions.  A division requires four teams with eleven players including a goalie to make it work.  Last season, 60 players participated, forming four teams, but they hope to at least double that number this year.

The evening games are booked mid-week in order to free up families for weekend activities.  Team information including current standings and game schedules are posted in the area lobby as well as on the league website.

Registration booths will be located in the arenas in Millbrook, at the Evinrude Centre and at the Kinsmen.  Participants may also register through the league website at www.weareballhockey.com under the Youth League heading in the section called Peterborough Minor Ball Hockey League.

Last year at the end of the season, league members put together a tyke team that went to the provincial championship tournament in Belleville and Trenton in July.  That team brought home the “B” Championship title, which was a great accomplishment for their first season.  They hope to send at least one team to the provincials which will take place in Oshawa this summer.  There are also plans to host their own tournament in May.

In addition to players, the league welcomes high school students looking to build their community service hours in the timekeeping box, as well as additional referees, particularly if the number of teams expands dramatically.  To qualify, referees must be certified at a clinic and one is hosted in Oshawa on March 24th.  Vondette is one of the instructors so questions regarding the clinic can be directed to him.

For more information about the league, email pmbhl@yahoo.com or contact Guye at (705) 768- 4893.

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