Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Ellenberger Ball Hockey League (EBHL)! We expect another fast, competitive season with some physical play for 2027! While this is a non-checking sport, players will likely experience some body contact with sticks, balls, the boards and other players.

Hydra Captain, Zach "Ziggy" Betz, has opted to retain his captaincy as a reward for winning the 2026 EBHL Championship. All other team Captains will be randomly selected from eligible players who volunteer, and all teams will be redrafted at our in-person Draft.

DRAFT PARTY
Join us from 7pm-11pm on Saturday, January 9, 2027 at Holliday Park for an evening of LIVE draft picks, jersey unveilings, a silent auction, ice skating & MORE! This is an ALL-AGES event, and we will have plenty of room for significant others and/or family to sit in on the Draft if they wish. More specific information to come.

COST
The 2027 EBHL season will cost $250 per runner/$150 per goalie. This cost includes entry to the 2027 EBHL Draft Party, 18 regular-season games (plus playoffs), four preseason practice opportunities, and your 2027 EBHL jersey and shorts. Additionally, all registrants will receive a 15% discount code to utilize throughout the season for ball hockey shoes, sticks, protective equipment and more at KnapperUSA.com.

FORMAT/SCHEDULE
EBHL games will take place on Monday evenings between February 22 and April 26 at Ellenberger Park. Game times will be 7pm, 7:45pm, 8:30pm and 9:15pm, and each team will play two games per night during the regular season.

Games will be played with five runners and one goalie per team, consist of three 13-minute running-clock periods, and will abide by the USA Ball Hockey Official Rule Book.

Practices will occur from 10am-12pm at Ellenberger Park on each of the four Saturdays leading up to the Preseason Tournament (see below for dates). Practices will be formatted as such:

• Hour 1
  • Half-rink Single Team Practice
    • To be assigned after the Draft and led by respective Team Captains
  • Half-rink Drop-In/Stick & Puck
• Hour 2
  • Full-rink scrimmage
  • Drop-In attendees vs Practicing Team

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

USA BALL HOCKEY REGISTRATION
The Indiana Ball Hockey Association and the EBHL are affiliates of USA Ball Hockey, therefore USA Ball Hockey registration is required for all players and paid separately.

• A link to USABH registration will be emailed to all participants in January.
• USA Ball Hockey provides insurance (see USABH coverage terms) for players and referees for the low cost of $30 annually.
• Players must be registered with USABH before their first on-rink activity, including practices and the preseason tournament.
• If a player steps onto the rink without registering for USABH they will be suspended for two games and cannot return until their registration is confirmed.

AGE REQUIREMENTS
Season eligibility is based on the participant’s age on February 22, 2027:

• Players age 18 or older on that date may register independently.
• Players ages 15–17 on that date must have at least one full season of prior hockey experience and a parent or legal guardian also registered as a player in the league.

Eligible players may attend preseason activities before reaching their February 22 eligibility age. Participants who are under 18 when completing registration must have a parent or legal guardian complete the consent section. Anyone under 18 during an on-rink activity must wear a hockey helmet with a full cage.

EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
Helmet, Shin Guards, and Gloves are REQUIRED.

• Hockey helmets only (cage required for any player under 18)
• Soccer shin guards permitted
• Lacrosse player gloves permitted

2027 league-provided jerseys must be worn during all games.

IMPORTANT DATES

2026
November 1 - Player Registration Opens
December 20 - Player Registration Closes
December 21 - Captains Announced via Live Stream

2027
January 9 - Draft Party - 7pm-11pm at Holliday Park
January 23 - Practice #1
January 30 - Practice #2
February 6 - Practice #3
February 13 - Practice #4
February 20 - Jersey Pick-Up, Picture Day, Season Preview Tournament
February 22 - Opening Day
April 26 - Playoffs/Championship

Captains will get to create/choose their team's identity and will be required to attend the 2027 EBHL Draft in-person on January 9, 2027 to assemble their rosters.

This is a leadership role, and Captains are expected to hold their teams to a high standard of play including encouraging teammates, settling conflicts, and holding teammates accountable for their actions during games. Anyone caught taking advantage of a leadership position will be suspended a minimum of 1 game and potentially relieved of his/her captaincy.

If you answer 'Yes' below, your name will be entered into a drawing and Captains will be announced via Live Stream on December 21, 2026.

To be eligible for the captain drawing, you must have played in a previous EBHL season and be at least 18 years old on January 9, 2027.

2027 EBHL Participant Waiver, Release of Liability & Assumption of Risk

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDES A RELEASE OF CERTAIN LEGAL CLAIMS.

Activities Covered: This agreement applies to my participation in the 2027 Ellenberger Ball Hockey League (EBHL), organized by the Indiana Ball Hockey Association (IBHA), including league-organized preseason practices, scrimmages, the preseason tournament, regular-season games, playoffs, and rescheduled games.

Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risk: I understand that ball hockey involves physical exertion and risks of injury. Although EBHL prohibits body checking, contact with other players, sticks, balls, boards, goals, and the playing surface may occur. Risks include falls, collisions, equipment failure, uneven or slippery surfaces, weather exposure, and the actions or omissions of other participants.

These risks may result in injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises to fractures, dental or eye injuries, concussions, permanent disability, or death. Protective equipment and league rules cannot eliminate all risks.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY:

IN CONSIDERATION OF BEING PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE, AND TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY INDIANA LAW, I RELEASE THE INDIANA BALL HOCKEY ASSOCIATION, THE ELLENBERGER BALL HOCKEY LEAGUE, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, ORGANIZERS, EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTEERS, TEAM CAPTAINS, AND OFFICIALS FROM CLAIMS FOR PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE ARISING FROM MY PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED ABOVE, INCLUDING CLAIMS CAUSED BY THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF THESE RELEASED PARTIES.

This release does not apply to gross negligence, reckless or intentional misconduct, or any liability that cannot legally be waived.

Acknowledgment and Signature: I have read this agreement, understand that it includes a release of certain legal claims, and voluntarily agree to its terms. I have had the opportunity to ask questions before signing.

My electronic signature is intended to serve as my signature on this agreement.

Participants under 18: Please provide an alternate emergency contact below.

The parent/legal guardian signing this form will serve as your primary emergency contact.

PAYMENT & REFUND POLICY
The 2027 EBHL registration fee is $250 for runners and $150 for players registering as goalies. Full payment is required when registering and the goalie rate is for players committing to playing primarily as goalie. USA Ball Hockey membership is a separate expense and is not included in the EBHL registration fee.

Player withdrawals: Players who submit a written withdrawal request to EBHL organizers on or before December 20, 2026, will receive a full refund of their EBHL registration fee. After this date, registration fees are nonrefundable because funds are committed to uniforms, facility expenses, and other season costs.

Exceptions: Requests related to injury or other exceptional circumstances may be considered individually, but a refund is not guaranteed. Missed games, voluntary withdrawal after the deadline, and disciplinary suspension or removal do not automatically qualify for a refund. Registrations cannot be transferred to another player without league approval.

League cancellations: If EBHL cancels the entire season before any scheduled on-rink activities begin, players will receive a full refund of their EBHL registration fee. If the season is shortened or canceled after activities begin, EBHL will communicate any available partial refund or credit based on activities provided and expenses already incurred. Rescheduled games do not automatically qualify for a refund.

Refund requests must be submitted in writing to indianaballhockey@gmail.com. USA Ball Hockey membership payments are subject to USA Ball Hockey’s own refund policy.