| Ball Hockey Edmonton | |
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Ball hockey is alive and well in Edmonton. In fact, it is thriving. It is a sport that attracts players from all walks of life, fitness levels, ages, and skill.
Steve Posavec is the President of Ball Hockey Edmonton, which has been around for 21 years (as of 2002) and was formed in 1982 when, as Posavec explains, "the other ball hockey league in town did not want to expand. "The first season we had 14 men's teams playing in one arena. The Minor program (17 & under) started in 1986 with five teams, and our Women's program started in 1988 with six teams," says Posavec. The league has since grown exponentially. "Last year (2001), we had 99 Men's teams, 32 Minor teams, and 13 Women's teams," says Posavec, himself a ball hockey player. "The actual numbers of players and officials are as follows: Men (1846), Women (273), Minors (534), Referees (65), Volunteer Executive (5). We expect these numbers to rise again in 2002." Part of the game's attraction is the fact that anyone can play. "Anybody can play the sport of ball hockey. We have people who cannot skate and we have some ex-N.H.L. players [as well as some current N.H.L.-ers, such as the Oiler's Ryan Smyth] who have played the game. With the different divisions of play, we can accommodate recreational players right up to the highly competative skill level," Posavec explains. The levels of competition include city-wide, provincial, national, and world championships. "Everyone has played street hockey when they were younger, and no matter what your skill level was, you could participate. The same goes for ball hockey, the evolved form of street hockey. Whether you play for fun or are a serious competitor, ball hockey has a place for you." Ball hockey also has some serious advantages for players over traditional ice hockey. As Posavec says, the "cost to play the sport is much cheaper than ice hockey. In the men's league, it costs approximately $150 to play a 24 game season. The women play an 18 game season plus playoffs, and their cost is $110. The kids play 14 games plus playoffs and they pay a registration fee of $110." There are other differences between ball and ice hockey, besides the cost. There are some differences in the rules. "We use a 'floating blueline' -- when a team crosses into the offensive zone, the defensive team must shoot the ball out past the centre line to get it out of the defensive zone. This gives teams more room once they gain the offensive zone. We also play two 20-minute stop time periods, and most games are played in under one and a half hour slots." Ball Hockey is also a much gentler game than its ice counterpart. "We do not condone fighting or stickwork in ball hockey," Posavec stresses. "If you fight once, you get a minimum of a three game suspension. Your second fight is your last, as you are suspended for the season. Stick penalties are either double-minors or majors with game misconducts." Games take place in the West and East Soccer Centres. "These four-rink facilities are excellent places to play; there is a lounge and concession in both buildings, and they are easy to get to, no matter what part of town you live in," he says. If you are interested in playing ball hockey, and you have a team together, call Steve at 486-0347 -- registration starts at the end of January and all slots are filled by the end of February. Individuals without a team can also call Steve. Names are put on a list that is distributed to all teams, and an effort is made to place every individual on a team.
