How Are Teams Determined
Skip to bottom section to see how we determine what team you specifically will play for each game!
Updated 5/20/26 - A total number of 30 prepaid registered players will be accepted into the pickup league per session at this time (first come, first serve). All other interested players will be placed on the "spare" list for drop-ins. We may expand the pickup league to more than 2 teams if there is a large consistent interest (consistently large numbers of players on the wait list for drop-ins).
To allow adequate playing time during each game, each team will be capped at 15 players (or 30 total per pickup game) along with a 3 goalie cap.
Registered players will confirm their attendance for scheduled pickup games via BenchApp. To keep play competitive and fun, teams will be balanced based on experience level though we will make every attempt to keep the team rosters as consistent as possible throughout a given session. Each player should bring both a dark (black or dark blue) and light (white or yellow) jersey, as team assignments will be designated by color... last minute player changes may be made based on attendance to ensure teams are even both in number of players as well as skill level.
On game day, volunteer coaches will be on hand to guide the action, while volunteer parents manages the clock, track the score, as well as staff the penalty boxes.
Referees will also be present to give the game as authentic a feel as possible.
Nuts and Bolts
Subject to change as better approaches figured out...
The league will be on BenchApp (iOS or Android) and be called "NoVA Girls Pickup."
Players will be assigned to either the Dark or Light team based on survey responses, with teams balanced as evenly as possible by age and experience level. Team and locker room assignments will be announced when you arrive at the rink on game day, so PLEASE remember to bring both a dark and a light jersey to every game! Lines for games will be posted on locker room doors and bench as a starting point. The bench coach may adjust the lines on the fly as needed or even make trades with the opposite team. Also, please write your first name on white hockey tape and place to BOTH the front AND back of your helmet so your teammates and bench coaches can learn your name.
To reiterate:
1) BRING both a dark and light colored jersey. Dark would be black or dark blue, Light would be white or yellow. It does not matter if it has any numbers, logos on it. Only the color.
2) WRITE your first name on white hockey tape and place to BOTH the front AND back of your helmet.
Prepaid players are automatically rostered. Drop-in players are placed on the spare list. For each scheduled game, all players will specify on the app whether they are "IN" or 'OUT".
If any prepaid players mark themselves as “OUT” or if there are any open roster spots, those vacancies may be filled by drop-in players who did not prepay for the game. Drop-in players can indicate their interest in playing by marking themselves as “IN,” which places them on the waitlist. If spots become available, organizers will move players from the waitlist onto the game roster based on team needs and with the goal of giving all drop-in players a fair opportunity to participate throughout the session.
Drop-in assignments to the roster will be made within 12-24 hours of game start.
On BenchApp, all players/parents can easily see what the roster situaton will be like and who will be or will not be attending a game.
The chat feature will be used by organizers and parents to volunteer to be a bench coach, referee, penalty box staff, time/score keeper, and/or locker room mom.