After winning the NBHL title, Island Sting celebrates with a provincial 'B' division championship after beating Lower Mainland's West Coast Buckeyes 9-5 on Sunday July 6 at McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre in Kamloops (NBHL)

By Ian Holmes

ball hockey boom

Nanaimo ball hockey teams earn medals, local league eyes expansion/hosting provincials

Jul 12, 2025 | 6:50 AM

NANAIMO — A Canadian past-time is making a resurgence in the Harbour City.

Nanaimo Ball Hockey League (NBHL) featuring an 11-team men’s league staged between early April and the end of June at Nanaimo Ice Centre and Frank Crane Arena, recently capped its fouth season.

Two NBHL teams enjoyed success at last weekend’s BC Ball Hockey Association provincial championships in Kamloops, resulting in a ‘B’ division gold medal for Island Sting, and silver for the Huskies in ‘D’ division.

NBHL vice president Troy Gladesdahl said the two medals are the first ones to be secured in their league’s brief history.

Nanaimo Huskies came up with a silver medal after losing their gold medal game at the BC Ball Hockey Association championships in ‘D’ division. (NBHL)

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“We’re starting to have teams that are really starting to compete and bring home medals at provincials. One of the teams that ended up winning the gold, Island Sting, they’ll be actually heading to nationals next year to represent the island and the NBHL.”

Island Sting’s provincial ‘B’ division title bumps up the longstanding organization to compete provincially and nationally at the ‘A’ division level.

Reflecting on NBHL’s growth and the success local teams are having in tournaments beyond the local 12-game regular season, Gladesdahl said the league is well positioned to potentially host the men’s B,C and D division provincial championships next year.

He said a partnership with Duncan or Parksville to secure three floor spaces would be sufficient to host a three-day tournament comprised of roughly 25 teams.

Gladesdahl said a formal bid will be submitted to host provincials on the mid-Island.

“It would be nice to put our teams out there and everybody be able to see the type of program we run. It would be exciting to be able to follow through with it,” Gladesdahl told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Regardless if Nanaimo hosts provincials or not, the NBHL is in a growth period.

Gladesdahl said one or two new teams could join the league next spring.

He believes increased interest among young players, along with low barriers to play, are driving up interest.

“It’s very affordable…a guy can pick up a stick, put on a pair of runners, gloves and a helmet and you know what?, you’re out there playing and having fun. It almost brings you back to your old childhood.”

Gladesdahl said a regional youth program launched in recent years designed for boys and girls six-years-old and up involves Nanaimo teams playing against squads from the Cowichan and Alberni valleys.

He hopes a girls-only ball hockey league can be formed one day.

‘Hive Five’ Island Sting claims gold

In its inaugural NBHL season, Island Sting features players from the Cowichan Valley to Campbell River, including several Nanaimo-based talents.

Jordan Kihn of Duncan is team captain and manager of Island Sting.

He said claiming a ‘B’ division provincial championship in Kamloops proved to be more than a grind on the floor.

He said it was a difficult logistical journey assembling their regulars to make it to the interior.

“Before when we were in our 20’s it was a financial issue, but now that we’re up in our 30’s and some guys closer to 40’s we have family and work. We had one guy on the day of the tournament realize he could get off work and make it up there.”

Island Sting has been around for about 15 years, playing in leagues in Campbell River, Victoria and now Nanaimo.

The club qualified for provincials after winning this year’s NBHL A/B division title.

Kihn, 33, said the NBHL’s organization and professionalism stood out to him and his teammates this past season.

Trained referees, scorekeepers, a league website, and quality playing surfaces all combine for an enhanced player experience, Kihn said.

“It’s really impressive how much they’ve grown just having 11 teams already,” Kihn said. “Looking on Facebook I see a couple of other teams already showing interest for next spring, so it looks like it’s getting bigger.”

Like many NBHL players, Kihn has a long history playing ice hockey.

However, with ice slots often scheduled at undesirable times and the sport increasingly expensive to play, Kihn said it’s not hard to see why ball hockey is booming.

“It’s really easy just to pick it up and go. You can practice on the street. Everybody grows up playing road hockey, so this is just that but with a little more structure to it.”

More information on the NBHL can be found on the league’s official website and various social media platforms, including a publicly accessible Facebook page.

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