The Nanaimo Ball Hockey League is finishing up league playoffs with three spots in the BC provincials on the line. The NBHL is also part of the first annual Island Cup which concludes June 22 in Duncan. (Megan Lum)

By Dan Marshall

Ball Drop

Nanaimo ball hockey playoffs to determine provincial tournament berths

Jun 21, 2025 | 8:05 AM

NANAIMO — The fourth Nanaimo Ball Hockey League season is in the final days of playoffs.

The regular season wrapped up in early June, with the postseason featuring a double knockout in the A and B divisions and a best-of-three series for the four teams in the C bracket.

Co-organizer and goaltender Troy Gladesdahl said the NBHL continues to grow.

“We ended up adding a brand new team this year. We’re hoping to add in another couple of teams next year. With the IBHA (Island Ball Hockey Association) promoting the youth programs in Nanaimo, Port Alberni and Cowichan, the future is looking very bright.”

There are three spots for Nanaimo-based teams at the upcoming provincials.

Stuck in Mexico

'We're feeling more secure today' Nanaimo tourists stranded in Puerto Vallarta

3h ago

Highly disturbing

Man attacked by armed 13 and 14-year-old boys in downtown Nanaimo

4h ago

substantial bust

Drugs, weapons seized as Nanaimo pair face nearly 40 criminal charges

7h ago

There will be one B division slot and two D division spots available when the tournament begins on July 4 in Kamloops.

Nanaimo teams will also be part of the first-ever Island Cup with the finals slated for Sunday, June 22, at the Cowichan Valley Community Centre.

“This weekend we’ve got teams coming over from Powell River, teams coming down from up island and from Victoria,” Gladesdahl noted. “We’ve got ten teams, I believe.

Gladesdahl said the league is particularly proud of developing more programs for young players.

He noted a handful of youth teams which have emerged.

“We’ve been having league games for the youth in Nanaimo, Port Alberni and Duncan. The growth in the inaugural year has been great and the feedback from the parents and kids is looking promising for next year and beyond. We’d love to see more kids come out for some fun ball hockey.”

He said the sport has a low barrier of entry with minimal equipment requirements.

The NBHL is hopeful for more opportunities to play other Vancouver Island teams in sanctioned games.

Games between Nanaimo and Victoria-based clubs have gone very well, and Gladesdahl is looking forward to a north Island-sanctioned league in the near future.

The next playoff games in Nanaimo will be played on Monday, June 23, at Frank Crane Arena.

Follow us on Facebook. Join Everything Nanaimo on Facebook and stay connected with everything happening on central Vancouver Island.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook