FIRST TEAM
F – Donnie Kleckner – Atlanta Dirty Birds
F – Chris Haynes – Atlanta Dirty Birds
F – Blake Fiandaca – Orlando Mutiny
D – John Tasado – Orlando Mutiny
D – TJ Lombardo – Tampa Bay Thunder
G – Chris Curtis – South Florida Alliance
SECOND TEAM
F –Noel Fitzpatrick – Tampa Bay Thunder
F – Derek Zaentz – South Florida Alliance
F – Perry Holcombe – Atlanta Dirty Birds
D – Murphy Sweeny – Orlando Mutiny
D – Isaac Bagwell – Atlanta Dirty Birds
G – Brian Wiernicki – Tampa Bay Thunder
National Ball Hockey League
What is Ball Hockey?
Simply put, ball hockey is hockey on feet. No ice skates, no roller skates, no ice. Its played on a surface called dek that is made of plastic that allows the hockey ball to glide like a puck. Just gloves, stick, a helmet, shin pads, and a pair of running shoes or basketball shoes and you’re good to go!
What is the National Ball Hockey League?
The National Ball Hockey is the first nationwide ball hockey league in the United States. There is minimal long distance travel, and anyone can play! The NBHL is the first league sanctioned by USA Ball Hockey, the governing body of the sport in the United States. Heres how the NBHL works:
The NBHL is divided into several divisions. The divisions are separated by location (ex. Massachusetts, Washington D.C, New Jersey). Each division holds its own inclusive season within its own teams. Gameplay is 5 on 5. The teams play a 10 game regular season starting in April 2021 and ending in July. The playoffs last from July until mid-august, when a division champion is crowned.
The champion of each division will qualify for the Mylec Cup in September. The Mylec Cup is a weekend long tournament to determine the champion of the NBHL. The Mylec Cup will be split into an upper and lower division based on skill level and players in a division. There will be round robin games on Friday and Saturday, with playoffs all day Sunday to decide the NBHL Champion.
Each division has up to 10 teams of 15-22 man rosters. The NBHL rosters consists of players from the USABH Mens National team and Junior national teams, as well as current and former professional ice hockey players. The talent level is legit and the competition is tough.
Our current divisions are in Buffalo, California (Orange County), Chicago, Massachusetts (Fitchburg), New England (Swansea, MA), New Jersey (Gloucester Twp, NJ), Pacific Northwest (Portland, OR and Seattle, WA), Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Texas (Austin, Dallas, and Shrevport, LA), and Washington D.C.
How can I play?
Get in touch with us! Email us or shoot us a direct message on Instagram. We will get back to you with information on how you can sign up. If your area does not have a division in the NBHL, reach out to us and we can try to get you involved.
Keep in mind – ANYONE can play. Anyone can join a team, come to the hockey rink once a week, run around for an hour, and feel like a professional athlete going against the best competition this sport has to offer. The NBHL wants every player to step onto the rink and feel like a pro.
Rosters and teams are finalized by the end of January, so the sooner you reach out, the better!