5.0 FORMATION OF TEAMS
5.1- Team Size
● Generally, teams (U11 and Above) will be restricted to a maximum of 15 players (9 FWD, 6D), excluding goalies. The Executive must approve any exceptions.
● The Executive will ultimately determine the number of players per team as circumstance may arise that require reassessment.
5.2 Player Eligibility
● All players must be registered and be in good standing with the BMHA to be eligible for tryouts/upcoming season.
● Players are expected to play within their age level. A request to play in a higher division will be considered only if the following criteria are met:
o The player and/or player’s parent has made the request in writing.
o The player meets or exceeds the requirements set out in our player movement policy outlined later in this document.
o Numbers of the team are sufficient enough that removing the player will not will allow the team to still operate.
5.3 – Pre-skate/Evaluation/Selection Process
General Guidelines
● BMHA tryouts for Rep teams may be held within the evaluation window as regulated by the OMHA/OHF/Hockey Canada
● All players must be registered online to be eligible for any BMHA tryouts, via HCR and “Spordle”.
● In addition to the above, the BMHA Evaluation Season will be conducted in accordance with the answers found in the OHF Player Movement Frequently Asked Questions Document, as it provides more up to date information surrounding the recent changes implemented in January of 2025, than the OHF handbook above which was released in 2024.
● In addition to the OHF policies, BMHA has adopted the following guidelines for tryouts:
o It is up to coaches’ discretion as to how many players will be signed after the 7-day evaluation window. Rosters must comply with BMHA guidelines by the date set in section 5.4
o There is no limit to the number of players from outside of the association that can be signed to each team.
o Players must attend at least one evaluation skate with BMHA before they can be signed by the team, NOT after the evaluation period opens per OHF Guidelines.
o Coaches cannot cut any player before they attend 2 skates. Each player must have the opportunity to receive two skates during the 7-day evaluation window.
o Any player participating in the 7-day window, must be signed, or released by the end of the 7 days.
o Opportunities to sign players after the 7-day window, must include at least one evaluation skate with the interested team. There will be no player signings for the BMHA during July and August.
● This Section of the BMHA Operations Manual will be reviewed and updated upon release of the OHF Operations Manual, expected to be released over the Summer of 2025.
5.4 – OMHA/Victoria Durham “B” Teams, Second Entry and MD Teams
● OMHA/Vic Durham teams must take a minimum of 12 skaters and 1 Goalie, to a maximum of 15 skaters and 2 goalies, for their final roster submission which occurs in late December typically, but per the most recently stated deadline provided by the OMHA.
● Teams must not take additional Goaltenders if it will leave the remaining LL team(s) without a full-time goalie.
● No Second Entry team is to be formed if it will come at the expense of folding the LL Team at the same age group. A First Entry team, and LL Team must be guaranteed viability prior to the formation of a Second Entry B Team.
● If a second entry team is permitted, tryouts will be held in the fall before the LL selections.
● Players wishing to tryout for the second entry team do not need to attend the “B” tryouts in the spring to be considered for the additional entry teams.
5.5- Local League Teams (Three County Hockey League)
● Only registered players will be assigned to local league teams.
● Players will be assigned to teams such that the balancing of the teams in terms of skill shall be the first priority. The process to determine the equal balancing of players on teams will include rating of players’ skills at on-ice evaluations scheduled at the start of the year.
● Parents with special requests for placement of players on specific teams must submit such a request in writing to the Executive 1 week prior to the scheduled evaluation skates. Note that requests are not always able to be accommodated.
● At the discretion of the Executive, player changes can be made in any team up to the end of November.
5.6 - Select Teams
● Only registered players will be assigned to Select Teams.
● Coaches interested in providing Select Hockey must notify their interest or intent when asked by the association during the call for coaches.
● The Executive will then consult with the OMHA on whether a Select Team for the given age group can be approved, after registration is completed.
● Additional fees will be required for any players participating on a Select Team, to be determined before the team is selected.
● The process to determine the selection of players on Select Teams will include rating of players’ skills at a minimum of 1 on-ice evaluation session(s) (or as otherwise required by OMHA regulations) ran by coaches, and as available, independent evaluators, based upon both skills based and scrimmage-based play.
5.7- U9 and Below Programming
Team Size
● Generally, teams will be restricted to a maximum of players per chart below to accommodate the cross-ice and half-ice programming requirements.
o U7 – 9 to 13 Skaters (2 lines of 4 minimum, plus a goalie, 3 lines of 4 maximum)
o U8 – 9 to 13 Skaters (2 lines of 4 minimum, plus a goalie, 3 lines of 4 maximum)
o U9 – 12 to 15 Skaters (7FWD/5D/1Goalie Minimum, 9FWD/5D/1+Goalie Maximum)
● The Executive must approve any exceptions.
● The Executive will ultimately determine the number of players per team.
● U9 and below programs must follow guidelines set forth by the Hockey Canada Pathways, OMHA and Three County Hockey Guidelines and Rules.
● Only registered players will be assigned to teams.
● For U9 and below, evaluations skates will be held and players will be assigned to teams according to:
o Age;
o Skill level (be moved up or down, with approval of BMHA and in accordance with the Player Movement Policy);
o Number of players available in each age category.
o For U9, players will be assigned to teams such that the balancing of the teams in terms of skill (Tier 1 and Tier 2) shall be the first priority in accordance with Hockey Canada Pathways, and Three County Hockey Tiers at this age group. The process to determine the equal balancing of players on teams will include rating of players’ skills at on-ice evaluation sessions by coaches, and as available, independent evaluators, based upon both skills based and scrimmage sessions.
o Parents with special requests for placement of players on specific teams must submit such a request in writing to the Executive 1 week prior to team selection dates. Note that requests are not always able to be accommodated, and will not be accommodated at U9 Tier 1.