How Are Teams Determined
Skip to next section to see how we determine what team you specifically will play for each game!
Skip to the bottom sections to see how we manage dropins as well as goalies.
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) 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, and track the score.
Referees will also be present to give the game as authentic a feel as possible.
Game attendance will be managed on BenchApp (iOS or Android) under "NoVA Girls Pickup."
Players will be assigned to either the DARK or WHITE team. The teams will be balanced as evenly as possible by age and experience level based on registration information. 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 white jersey to every game! Lines for games will be announced by team coaches. The bench coach may adjust the lines on the fly as needed or even make trades with the opposite team. To make it easier for coaches and teammates to identify you, please write your first name on white hockey tape and place to BOTH the front AND back of your helmet.
To reiterate:
1) BRING both a dark and white colored jersey. Dark would be black or dark blue. White would be solid white without any dark designs on it. 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 (see next section for more detailed drop-in information). 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.
Parents will be assigned ahead of time to volunteer to be a time/score keeper, music DJ, or locker room mom.
Nuts and Bolts
How Dropins Are Managed on BenchApp
Step 1: Open BenchApp. If you are interested in joining a game, please click the greyed out "WAITLIST" button at the bottom of the app (see first image below). You do NOT have to be invited in order to request joining a game.
Step 2: The "WAITLIST" button will turn orange and you will notice that your name will pop up under the "Waitlist" section with an orange clock icon (see middle image below).
Step 3: If you become accepted to join the game, the "WAITLIST" button will turn into a green "IN" button. Also, your name will be moved to a rostered section with a green checkmark (see 3rd image).
At this time, the dropin fee is $25 and is paid on arrival at the Haymarket Iceplex lobby front desk.
Goalies
At this time, we have 10+ goalies in the league. As such, all goalies can not play in all the games. In order to maximize goalie play time, but also be fair, we will limit the number of games goalies can play. We also will allow 3 goalies max per game, with each goalie being guaranteed to play 2 periods in each game.
Goalie A: Plays 1st period DARKS and 3rd period WHITES
Goalie B: Plays 2nd and 3rd period DARKS
Goalie C: Plays 1st and 2nd period WHITES
Goalies can request what games they would like to play in using BenchApp.