Skip to content

LEAGUE RULES & FAQs

MudCity Hockey is one of the largest ball hockey organizations in the Maritimes. For over 20 years, the program has tailored athletes who have represented our community in tournaments across Canada and overseas.

The league consist of individuals who have played key roles in developing the sport of Ball Hockey in New Brunswick. Our talents and resources have been a driving force behind events such as Hockey Night in Canada’s PlayOn, CBHA Nationals and ISBHF World Championships.

Our team reinforces that ball hockey is for everyone -  MudCity will always find a place for kids and adults to play regardless of their skill level. Confident in our ability to inspire and promote healthy living that strengthens the community, we provide an enjoyable experience that benefits members beyond the rink.

On the business side, our group works closely with the corporate community on partnerships to tie their brands with the country’s most popular pastime. Together we believe we can make a difference.

The league is registered with The Canadian Ball Hockey Association (CBHA). It is officially recognized as the governing body of the sport of ball hockey in Canada by the International Street & Ball Hockey Federation (ISBHF) and Hockey Canada.

 

LEAGUE DIVISIONS

 

ELITE DIVISION consist of the best players looking for that competitive weekend edge against friends. Teams are drafted before each campaign and players are subject to be traded up to the 8th week of the season.

  • 3 versus 3 game format
  • 6 Forwards per team 
  • Slap shots are allowed
  • Penalties = PowerPlays
  • 3x15 minute periods
  • Stats and Referee included
  • Jersey purchase is required for Elites click here to purchase 
  • No spares
  • Limited contact

 

RINGER DIVISION plays itself as the "farm" league to the Elites. Players are drafted along side everyone else and are sent up & down by their team GM.

  • 3 versus 3 game format
  • 6 Forwards per team 
  • Slap shots are allowed
  • Penalties = PowerPlays
  • 3x15 minute periods
  • Stats and Referee included
  • Jersey purchase is required for Elites click here to purchase 
  • No spares
  • Limited contact

 

DUST'R DIVISION consist of the players looking to play friends and teammates. Captains create their teams without a draft and have the right of carrying spares.

  • 3 versus 3 game format
  • 9 Forwards per team 
  • Slap shots are allowed
  • Penalties = PowerPlays
  • 2x25 minute periods
  • Stats and Referee included 
  • Spares are allowed (min 4 games for playoff action)
  • Limited contact

 

ALUMNI DIVISION is intended for retired players who are looking to enjoy a few hours of ball hockey with friends and former teammates. Although we ask that you be 35 years or older, we will consider younger athletes. Sessions are 90+minutes! New teams are picked at the beginning of every night. 
  • 10 Weeks 
  • Dark and Orange T-Shirts included
  • 3 versus 3
  • Slap shots are allowed
  • 3 games (first to 7 goals) / 90 + minute nights
  • no referees
  • Jersey purchase is not required 

 

TEEN DIVISION is intended for young players who are looking to enjoy a few hours of ball hockey with friends . Sessions are 90+minutes! New teams are picked at the beginning of every night. 
  • 10 Weeks 
  • Dark and Orange T-Shirts included
  • 3 versus 3
  • Slap shots are allowed
  • 3 games (first to 7 goals) / 90 + minute nights
  • Referees and stats included
  • Jersey purchase is not required 

  

YOUTH DIVISION (ages 6-13) Sessions start off with a 5 minute proper warm up, team selection and 2 x 25 minute periods of ball hockey! 

Kids are required to wear a helmet w/cage, gloves, cup and soccer shin pads.

Goalies are required to wear ice hockey equipment as the professional balls we use are tougher than other brands.

  • 4 versus 4 game format (2 lines per team)
  • 8 Forwards per team + 2 goalies
  • New teams are picked each session
  • Slap shots are not allowed
  • Penalties = Penalty shots
  • 2 x 25 minute periods
  • 1 referee
  • Dark and Light T-Shirts included
  • Non-contact
  • Shoot Out competition at the end of each session

 

    WHAT DO WE PLAY FOR?

    Elite: The MudCity Mule
    Ringer: Burbine Cup
    Dust'r: The Dust'r Cup
    Alumni: Fresh air & the Love of the Game!
    Teen & Youth: Vitamin D, self improvement & pizza!

     

    EQUIPMENT

    Elite players are required to wear official MudCity jerseys for their games. It is highly recommended to wear a helmet, gloves, cup, shin pads and face shield. For kids and players under the age of 18, the protective gear above is manditory.

    Goaltenders are asked to wear some of their ice hockey gear as the balls we use are professional Gel Balls.

     

    RESPECT

    This league is geared towards being more competitive than any other league out there. We do not tolerate trouble makers of any kind. The league WILL ban any player who goes out of their way to injure or belittle other members. The ban will also apply to any player who does not respect the league, facility, equipment and grounds.

     

    SUSPENSIONS

    There are no “set” number for any suspension that goes against the league policies. Suspensions will be handed to individuals however the directors see fit.

     

    LEAGUE DRAFT & TRADING 

    Teams for Elite & Ringers are picked by captains before each campaign. Transactions must be made Sunday Match ups.

    Trades must also be made with an equal # of players involved. The Captains are 100% responsible to do their due diligence on a player coming back in a deal. Once both captains type “DEAL” in their chat, the trade will move forward without questions. Transaction deadlines are the Friday evenings.

     

    INJURIES, REFUNDS and RESCHEDULING

    There are no league refunds at any time. If a player needs to back out of the league due to injury or other reasons, we unfortunately will not reimburse as budgets have already been set. If we cancel games due to weather or covid, these games will be rescheduled and played at another time. If a season is cancelled, we will refund the difference of each game missed, depending on the scenario.

     

    INJURED & REPLACEMENT PLAYERS

    Replacement players pay the league for the remaining games of the season in full @ $10/game. These players must also be equivalent in talent to the player leaving *(Only our directors have final say if the player is suitable to join or not). An injured player can not return to the league until the following season.

     

    SPARE PLAYERS AND GOALIES

    The Elite Division does NOT allow spares for any reason. If a goalie can't attend, captains are only allowed to recruit a registered goaltender from the league with permission from opposing captain or Directors. If a team shows up with a goalie without permission, this will result as an automatic loss. 

     

    GAME RULES FOR COMPETITIVE DIVISIONS

    • Games are 3 x 15 minute periods for elite / 2 x 25 minute periods for dust'r with a 3 minute break between.
    • Teams are only allowed 1x 1 minute timeout.
    • Slap Shots are allowed for Elite, Ringer, Dust'r and Alumni Divisions only.
    • Power Plays = 1 minute man advantage w/ stop time
    • A player cannot play a ball longer than 5 seconds behind his net, otherwise it's the other teams possession in the offensive zone. *Ref must start the 5 seconds immediately after the frozen ball is whistled.
    • Players can’t loop around and return behind the net in order to kill time. This will result to a delay of game penalty.
    • Last 2 minutes of play in the third period is stop time if the score is within 2 goals.
    • Goalie can't cover the ball without a foot in their crease.
    • Overtime is 3 on 3 for 3 minutes. 2 on 2 for 2 minutes and then shoot out breakaway (3shots). Once a team goes through their full bench, both squads can then repeat a shooter. This does not apply for playoffs.

     

    PENALTIES

    • Minor Penalties = 1:00 Stop time Power play
    • Major Penalties = 2:00 Stop time Power play
    • x3 Minors= Game ejection
    • 1 minute Penalties: Tripping, hooking, interference, delay of game, roughing, goalie interference, delay of game (shooting ball out from defensive zone, goalie without foot in the crease or looping around the net), diving, unsportsmanlike
    • 2 minute Penalties: Slashing (stick to stick), boarding, and elbowing.
    • 4 minute Penalties: cross-checking, high sticking, intentional slashing and boarding - (player must serve entire minutes of the penalty if a goal is scored.
    • Game Ejections: Fighting, attempt to injure, high sticking opponent w/drawing blood and unsportsmanlike  
    • Game Ejections = 1+ game suspension

     

      NO DRUGS, CIGARETTES NOR ALCOHOL

      Alcohol and smoking is NOT permitted on the premises (inside nor outside, including the parking lot) at any time. Failure to comply will result in a two game suspension. A second incident will result in a ban from our league.

       

      RINK RENTALS

      All renters of the Dek Rink must read and comply with all of the above rules. Failure to do so will result in a ban of all future rentals.

       

      CONTACT US

      For any further questions or concerns, please email us at hockey@mudcity.ca