OVERVIEW

@isbhf @usaballhockey Men’s/Women’s 35+ Masters #buffaloriverworks

#BallHockeyExcellence @ballhockeynl @newfoundlandlabrador

#BallHockeyExcellence @visitmississauga Visit: www.Canadaballhockey.ca/2023events @ballhockeyontario

Visit: www.Canadaballhockey.ca/events for details on hotels and flights! #BallHockeyExcellence #Nationals @discovernewbrunswick #Celebrating45yearsOfNationals

2023 U-23 Men's #TeamCanada Announcement! /Announcement de l'équipe canadienne masc. U-23 2023 ISBHF World Junior Championships June 28 -July 3 in Liberec, Czechia #BallHockeyExcellence @isbhf

2023 Junior Team Canada Rosters selected for the 2023 Worlds in Czechia (U23 TBD) #BallHockeyExcellence #JuniorHockey #Canada @isbhf

#BallHockeyExcellence #thankyouforyourservice 1978-2023 Did you know that the first Nationals was located in Ottawa in 1978?

2024 Women’s National Team General Manager Announcement Canada Ball Hockey is pleased to announce Gwen Ranquist-Lemieux as the General Manager of the Women’s National Team for the 2024 ISBHF World Championships. Gwen was previously the Women’s GM in 2015 where Canada won the Gold Medal. In 2017, she then became the Head Coach of Team USA and helped them make their first podium appearance winning a Silver Medal. Gwen remained on as Head Coach for the 2019 World Championships and the USA women’s team played in the final against Canada winning Silver with a score of 4-2. Gwen has experience leading teams to success overseas in Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Her background has been in both ice hockey and ball hockey since 1990. She has been involved in BC Hockey High Performance programs and Hockey Canada for many years. Gwen is looking forward to preparing for this upcoming journey with staff and players located across Canada.

2023 Men’s U18 General Manager Announcement Canada Ball Hockey is pleased to announce Norm Spitzer as General Manager for the U18 Men’s team competing at the 2023 ISBHF World Junior Championships July 3-6 in Liberec, Czech Republic. https://www.canadaballhockey.ca/en/publication/news/2023_mens_u18_general_manager_announcement.html

Darcy Mintz - Hall of Fame 2022 (Referee) During his 15 year ball hockey referee career, Darcy officiated in 8 National Championships beginning in 2004. During this time he was part of 5 Men’s Gold Medal games. Darcy cherishes the moments spent with all the great officials he has had an opportunity to work with across Canada. He was always amazed at the skills of the players and the incredibly welcoming ball hockey communities across the country. Darcy has many vivid memories of the heated rivalry between the Montreal Red Lite and the Brampton Midnight Express. Darcy would like to thank Bob Beatty and Darsh Grewall for their incredible support and friendship throughout his ball hockey journey. Thank you to the CBHA for this tremendous honour. Please join us in welcoming Darcy Mintz to the Canada Ball Hockey Hall of Fame!

2024 Men’s Team Canada General Manager Announcement Canada Ball Hockey is pleased to announce Matthew Lui as General Manager of Men's Team Canada for the 2024 ISBHF World Championships. Matthew Lui was previously the Men’s Team Canada Assistant General Manager in 2022 where Canada won the Gold Medal. Team Canada ended a 15 year gold Medal drought bringing back Gold on Canadian soil. Prior to his Team Canada work, Matthew managed the 2017 and 2018 Edmonton BHC that won the Canada Ball Hockey National Championship, a first for Alberta. He also built up the Team Hong Kong program starting in 2013 and leading them to B Pool Gold in 2017. Matthew is currently the VP Men’s for Canada Ball Hockey and the President of Wild Rose Ball Hockey Association in Alberta.

Bob Beatty – Hall of Fame 2022 (Referee) Bob first joined the ball hockey officiating staff of the Kitchener-Waterloo Ball Hockey Referee’s Association in 1987. Immediately, Bob fell in love with the sport as it reminded him of the days of “Road Hockey” that he played as a child. In 1989 Bob was invited to his first Provincial Championship tournament that was held in Mississauga, Ontario. He was amazed at the level of play that was on display and the passion for officiating at the Provincial level was infectious. Bob began to officiate at the National level at the 1993 Canadian Ball Hockey Championships in Ottawa. Bob’s last officiated game at the National Championships occurred where it all began back in 1987 in Kitchener, Ontario at the 2017 National Junior’s. All together this covers a span of 30 years of officiating the great game of Ball Hockey. Bob has also been fortunate enough to be involved at the World Championship level. His first ISBHF tournament was in Zvolen, Slovakia in 1999. He has also attended ISBHF events in countries such as Switzerland, Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, Canada and the USA. Bob has also held positions of Referee in Chief for Canada Ball Hockey and the ISBHF during his distinguished career. His famous 5S rule still applies today in ensuring officials perform at the top of their game. • Safety • Sticks • Stuff after the whistle……..which is never even • Scoring Chances created or denied by fouls • And his favorite S – Stupidity. Bob’s reputation of being “tough but fair” and his ability to communicate with players on and off the floor have contributed to his success as an elite ball hockey official. His familiar yell to players when fighting for possession of the ball in the corners of “Win the Battle” was his trademark encouragement to keep the players engaged. Please join us in welcoming Bob Beatty to the Canada Ball Hockey Hall of Fame!

Hockey-balle Canada est très heureux d'annoncer le/la directeur(ice) général(e) des équipes masculines et féminines des maîtres qui se rendront aux États-Unis en 2023 pour participer aux Championnats du monde de l'ISBHF. Francois Chalut « C'est un honneur d'être nommé pour la cinquième fois au poste de directeur général de l'équipe masculine des maîtres du Canada. Je tiens à remercier Hockey-balle Canada pour cette nomination et la confiance qu'ils ont en moi. Je suis très fier des réalisations de nos équipes au cours des quatre derniers événements mondiaux. Comme la compétition devient de plus en plus forte à chaque événement mondial des maîtres, mon rôle sera de construire une équipe avec des joueurs de la Colombie-Britannique à Terre-Neuve, qui représenteront notre pays avec dignité et fierté. La nouvelle division Masters 35+ représente un nouveau défi pour moi et pour tous les joueurs qui seront choisis. Je suis enthousiaste et prêt à y aller et je pense que mes quatre années d'expérience en tant que directeur général me donnent la motivation et la passion nécessaires pour mener l'équipe canadienne à une médaille d'or. Il y a un sentiment de fierté nationale lorsque nous portons la feuille d'érable sur nos uniformes. Il est maintenant temps de se mettre au travail et de ramener l'or, la quête de l'or a déjà commencé ! » Sara Hayward Sara Hayward, originaire du Nouveau-Brunswick, a été nommée directrice générale de l'équipe féminine des maîtres du Canada. Hayward dirigera ce programme pour la cinquième fois. « J'ai apprécié le temps passé au sein de ce programme de haute performance et je suis honorée d'avoir une autre occasion de bâtir une équipe qui représentera le hockey-balle canadien avec fierté et excellence. »

Nathalie Girouard – Temple de la renommée 2022 (Joueuse) Nathalie était une jeune athlète qui a grandi dans la région de Trois-Rivières, au Québec. Pendant ses années de formation, Nat a pratiqué le basket-ball comme sport d'intérêt de la 4e année jusqu'à l'Université d'Ottawa. Ce n'est que quelques années plus tard que le hockey-balle est devenu le nouveau centre d'intérêt sportif de Nat et sa passion à long terme. Nat a commencé sa carrière de hockey-balle en tant qu’attaquante dans la ligue de hockey-balle d’Ottawa-Vanier pour femmes (OVWBHL) au début des années 2000. Peu de temps après ses débuts en hockey-balle, son équipe avait besoin d'une gardienne de but et elle s'est portée volontaire. Ce poste est rapidement devenu permanent. Nat a été invitée à participer à son premier tournoi national en 2010 à St. John's (Terre-Neuve). Son équipe d'Ottawa a fini par remporter la médaille d'or. L'un des faits marquants pour Nat reste les 17 tireuses qu'elle a affrontés en fusillade lors de la demi-finale, avant de remporter l'or en finale. Nat a ensuite participé à des tournois nationaux à six autres reprises entre 2011 et 2018. Quelques faits marquants : Remporter 3 médailles d'or, 2 prix de gardienne étoile, 1 prix gardienne MVP, le prix Sara Butterworth, et en 2019, Nat a remporté le prix de la joueuse international de l'année. Il faut également noter qu'au cours des années 2013 et 2019, Nat a représenté l'équipe du Canada à 7 reprises - remportant 6 médailles d'or, et d'autres prix individuels. Nathalie tient à remercier tous ses coéquipières, passés et présents, car elle estime qu'elle n'aurait pas pu accomplir tout ce qui précède sans leur aide. Veuillez-vous joindre à nous pour accueillir Nathalie Girouard au Temple de la renommée de hockey-balle Canada!

Yvon "Skip" Breton - Hall of Fame 2022 (Player) One of the most gifted offensive players to ever play the game, with his amazing vision, passing and ball handling. This scoring machine led powerhouse teams from Ottawa 80s & 90s to excellence. At the top of the leader board in points in each Canada Ball Hockey Nationals he attended, he was also a sniper to stop every shift he played for the opposition. This gift of talent to Canada Ball Hockey came by the way of Hearst, Ontario and to top it off Skip was one of the most celebrated Broomball players in the World!! For our sport and Canada Ball Hockey one of the most feared offensive players ever to play and rightfully joins the best ever in Canadian history!! Please join us in welcoming Yvon “Skip” Breton to the Canada Ball Hockey Hall of Fame!

Robert Mentis - Hall of Fame 2022 (Player) Robert Mentis was a young forward playing ‘A’ level in Toronto with the Villagers team along with his brother James ‘Chicky’ Mentis. In 1987, Bobby joined the Top Guns and quickly won the Provincial Championship that year and headed to the Nationals. It was a preview of things to come. He won his first Nationals in 1991. In 1993, Midnight Express joined the Toronto Northwest ‘A’ league and Bobby’s leadership and skills as a player was breathtaking to say the least. His pure speed was impressive and his ability to win battle after battle after battle made him one of the best players to ever play our great game of ball hockey. He was part of the first team to win five consecutive National Championships from 1996 to 2000 and then added a couple more in the new century. In addition, he played for Team Canada in 1999 and 2001 and won Gold in 2001. As great a player as he was, he was even a better father and friend. I was lucky enough to play with him and to this day, one of the classiest players I’ve ever seen. He was taken from us way too soon. Bobby, we all love you, we all miss you and one day we’ll be together again and talk about your mesmerizing speed. Represented by Lois Mentis and Nadine Mentis, please join us in welcoming the late Bobby Mentis to the Canada Ball Hockey Hall of Fame!

Re-Post • @isbhf The ISBHF, Swiss Streethockey and Host Organizing Committee are excited to announce that Switzerland will host the 2024 ISBHF Men’s & Women’s World Championships. Read more: https://isbhf.com/news/switzerland-to-host-the-2024-world-championships/

Check out the highlights of 2022 Men's Team Canada run to becoming World Champions! https://youtu.be/U-UwGQq6S14

Christine Pellerin - Hall of Fame 2022 (Builder) Christine started her ball hockey career as a player. She competed in the first Women’s National Championships in Calgary in 1987 where she became a National Champion that year along with being the leading scorer, named to the allstar team and tournament MVP. Christine won two other National Championships as a player and four as a coach. Christine then turned her attention to help develop Canada’s Women’s National Team as Head Coach for the first four ISBHF Women’s World Championships from 2007 to 2013. With an impressive record of 3 World Championships and 1 silver medal. In 2012 Christine coached Withrow Park at the Men’s Masters World Championships. The first female to coach at a male World Championship event. After her work with the Women’s National Team, Christine went on to help develop the Women’s game provincially in Ontario as the Ontario Ball Hockey Federation’s Women’s Vice President and nationally as Canada Ball Hockey’s Women’s Vice President. Christine was recently inducted into the International Street & Ball Hockey Federation’s Hall of Fame earlier this summer in Laval, Quebec at the World Championships. Please join us in welcoming Christine Pellerin to the Canada Ball Hockey Hall of Fame!

Re-Post • @isbhf 🇺🇸 The 2023 ISBHF World Masters Championships will be held in the USA. The ISBHF is excited to hold an event in the USA, and looks forward to working with USA Ball Hockey on delivering a first-class experience for the Masters of our game. Follow this link to learn more: https://isbhf.com/news/2023-world-masters-to-be-held-in-usa

Re-Post • @isbhf 🇨🇿The 2023 ISBHF World Junior Championships will be held in Liberec, Czech Republic. The ISBHF and Czech Ball Hockey Federation are excited to announce this junior ball hockey festival as it will mark the first full ISBHF World Junior Championships after the pandemic break. Follow this link to read more: https://isbhf.com/news/2023-world-juniors-to-be-held-in-liberec-czech-republic/

Re-Post • @isbhf 🤝The ISBHF are proud to announce their new leadership structure. Congratulations to Elio, Diana and our Board of Directors on their election! Please follow this link to learn more: https://isbhf.com/news/elio-pascuzzo-elected-new-isbhf-president/

2022 Men’s A - Women’s A & Men’s Masters National Championships – RECAP Please visit canadaballhockey.ca for all details

Championnats nationaux 2022 – Femmes A, Hommes A et Maîtres – Récapitulatif Veuillez visiter canadaballhockey.ca pour tous les détails

Lino Chioma - Hall of Fame 2022 (Builder) Lino has been involved in Canada Ball Hockey for 44 years as a player, coach, referee and executive. An accomplished player winning numerous league and provincial championships as well as a National Championship in 1984. Lino has coached at the highest level of the game on the league, provincial, national and international stage including a World Championship at home in Toronto in 2001. An experienced referee who has put in 37 years of service to the game. In 1990 Lino helped build the first Masters Division league in Canada. Since then has worked organizing and running many leagues in Ontario. Lino has been with the Ontario Ball Hockey Federation since day one. Started on the Board as the VP Men’s Masters & than VP Men’s. In 2014 Lino took the position as OBHF Director of Operations and is still currently working in this position. Please join us in welcoming Lino Chioma to the Canada Ball Hockey Hall of Fame!