Info

Tournament Info

The Armenian Ball Hockey Classic is an annual ball hockey tournament that is truly ONE OF A KIND

Once a year, this weekend event offers our community members the chance to participate in an awesome 4 on 4 ball hockey tournament in a fun and festive setting that combines sports and community.

For starters, this is the only ball hockey tournament in the entire world specifically for our Armenian community. Actually, that’s where the idea behind this event originated. We wanted to give Armenians who enjoy the game of hockey the chance to have their own special experience!

It’s a recreational tournament which means players of all ages and skill levels can participate. We’ve had beginners play hockey for the very first time in their lives and they’ll tell you themselves what an awesome experience they had being part of this tournament. 

It’s a weekend-long celebration and our goal is to offer everyone involved an enjoyable weekend experience. Our tournament is very well organized with referees present and stats recorded for each game. Our gym is transformed into a hockey-themed rink, with music playing throughout. We’ve got food, drinks and BBQ available and we’ve got seats for spectators and players alike. Hundreds of pictures are taken and we also videotape our action and release an entertaining video on each year’s tournament. Finally the event serves as a fundraiser for our AGBU sports program. 

We can confidently say you won’t find an event like this anywhere else!

Saturday May 4 and Sunday May 5 2019.
 
Takes place at École Alex Manoogian (755 rue Manoogian, St-Laurent, Qc, H4N 1Z5)
If you would like to play, please complete the registration form on this website.
 
You can join as an individual or you can sign up your own team. 
 
It costs 30$ per player to participate. Payment takes place at the gym on Sat May 4 before your first game. 

We encourage all players to register right away to help us plan and accommodate you.

The very last day to register is Sunday April 29. 

The teams and the schedule will be released online 1-2 days before the tournament

This event is open to anyone 16 and up who is a member of the Armenian community. 

By member of the Armenian community, this means : anyone Armenian, anyone married to an Armenian, or anyone who is an active supporter of the Armenian community. Basically anyone involved in our community. 

Exceptionally for goalies, any goaltender can play but they need to bring their own equipment.

Each game consists of 2 periods of 14 minutes.  

Games are played 4-on-4 plus a goaltender.
 
Each team consists of 6-7 players plus a goaltender.
 
Each team will play 2 games on Saturday and at least 1 game on Sunday. 

For security reasons, only sticks with a plastic blade are permitted.

Players are encouraged to bring their own sticks but the tournament organizers will also be providing sticks to players.

No! This weekend event is a recreational tournament open to ALL players. 
 
This weekend is about 2 things : an opportunity to play hockey in a fun setting and an opportunity to support your community! That is why we encourage both beginners and experienced players to participate and enjoy the tournament. We’ve had players who have never played hockey before participate in the tournament and they’ll tell you themselves what a blast they had being part of the event. There’s no age limit either : we have several hockey “lifers” ages 50+ participate and we’ve seen parents play with their kids and they love it! 
 

2017 was the very first edition of the Armenian Ball Hockey Classic and nearly 50 Armenians and 8 teams participated. 

In 2018, we had over 75 players and 9 teams.

We’re expecting bigger numbers for 2019 but we need you! Sign up, bring your friends and help us reach 100 players! 

Rules of play

This is a charity event. Have fun, play hard but respect your teammates, your opponents and the volunteers. If you misbehave or play like a maniac, Ari Mercan will throw you out of the building personally!

Equipment

  • Sticks – all sticks must have a plastic blade; we provide sticks for players
  • Eyewear – is optional; we provide them for those interested
  • Gloves, shin pads – are strongly suggested but not mandatory
  • Shirts – teams need to be color coordinated

Ball out of play – including roof contact   

  • In D-Zone, ball off offence
    • D starts with ball behind goal line
    • O has to start behind or near C
    • Play starts when D touches the ball
    • If ball not touched after 5 seconds, change of possession
  • In D-Zone, ball off defence
    • O starts at C
    • D has to start behind suicide line
    • Play starts when O touches ball
    • If ball not touched after 5 seconds, change of possession
  • After goal
    • D starts with ball behind goal line
    • O has to start behind C
    • Play starts when D touches the ball
    • If ball not touched after 5 seconds, change of possession
  • If the ball is out of play and bounces directly back in, play continues (unless bounces off a person or roof). If uncertain who ball went off, ball drop at C

Other

  • The opening faceoff – is a ball drop at center
  • Player changes are on the fly or at stoppage
  • Every game ends with a full handshake. Players go to their respective goalies then meet at the center.

Penalties

  • Assessed by giving a penalty shot to the opponent of the penalized player
  • High-stick (above the crossbar)
  • Diving at the legs of a player
  • Roughing
  • Cross-checking
  • Tripping
  • Slashing
  • Interference
  • Accidental/flagrant
    • 2 accidental/reckless penalties in same game = ejection from game
    • Flagrant penalty = automatic ejection from game
    • 2 ejections during tournament = expulsion from tournament