Scrimmage Challenge (Pickup Hockey)

SCRIMMAGES

Come and get your game on at our HUSA Scrimmages. We will play either 4 on 4 or 5 on 5 or 3 on 3 depending on session attendance. The objective is to get LOTS of ice time and a fantastic workout in a friendly and welcoming setting.
Here is a list of reasons why todays youth hockey players should scrimmage:

• Allows the player to be creative – During unstructured play kids have the opportunity to be inventive with their skills
• Physically conditions the player without realizing – scrimmaging is awesome physical activity for kids as they are having fun and working hard without knowing it
• Scrimmaging allows the kids to have fun all while working on their skills without even noticing – There is nothing like a good old game of shinny hockey with your friends and showing off your cool moves

During the school year, we run the program on Professional Development Days, Thanksgiving, Christmas Break, Family Day, March Break and Easter Monday..

Scrimmage is open to all players from house to rep. Players will be divided into groups based on skill level and age. Each session will have an A, B and C line and we match those lines up to balance the teams. Teams will be balanced each session and we will have goalies and a referee. Each player is required to bring their own light and dark jersey and they will be assigned to one of the teams.

Scrimmage hockey is an informal, practice-oriented game, often played 5v5 or 4v4 without official referees, standings, or stop-time. Key rules focus on safety and flow: mandatory gloves, no icing/offsides (or immediate turnover/tag-up), equal ice time for all players, and rotating goalies. It is designed for development and fun. 

Common Scrimmage Formats & Rules:

• Game Structure: There is a face off to start the game and no face-offs once the game starts; the goalie clears the puck or it is played immediately upon a goal or whistle.
• Time: Usually, no time is kept, or a set buzzer sounds every 90 seconds for line changes.
• Player Setup: 9–15 players per team is ideal for high-intensity shifts.
• Safety & Equipment: Full gear is generally required, with a strict emphasis on wearing gloves.
• Goalie Rotation: To maximize participation, goalies are rotated half way through the session.
• No-Call Policy: Often, only major infractions are called, with minor fouls resulting in a quick turnover rather than a formal penalty box session. Note: We have removed players from the ice for Dangerous play.