The Novas Volunteer at the Special Olympics Nova Scotia Summer Games

The Novas were proud to take part in a truly inspiring day at the 2025 Special Olympics Nova Scotia Summer Games.

Coaches, staff, and nine of our returning players spent the day volunteering at the Games, assisting with a wide range of events and activities. It was an experience none of us will soon forget.

From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was filled with energy, pride, and inclusion. Our young athletes rose to the occasion — embracing their roles with maturity, treating every Special Olympian with respect, and engaging wholeheartedly in every task. Over the course of ten hours, we watched these young men grow before our eyes — learning lessons that go far beyond the rink.

It was a powerful reminder of the role sport plays in bringing people together and creating opportunities for connection, growth, and community.

We are grateful to the organizers of Special Olympics Nova Scotia for welcoming us into such a meaningful event. And we are incredibly proud of our players for the way they carried themselves throughout the day.

#WeAreTheNovas #SpecialOlympicsNS #CommunityProud

Spring ID camps are all now complete and players will know if they are protected or released no later than June 15^th.

Fall Tryouts will be as follows;

• Tryouts will not start until September 8^th.

• Teams will start fall tryouts with their 25 protected players and from there can only have 15 other players participate in their tryouts. Total maximum number of players allowed to tryout throughout the fall tryout process is 40.

• Fall tryouts are by invitation only !!

• Fall tryouts will consist of ;
• Phase 1, Sept 8th – 14th, 3 – 1.5 hour ice sessions, plus 1 – 2 hour sessions to allow time for exhibition or inter-squad games. Rosters reduced to 24
• Phase 2, Sept 15 – 25, 4 – 1.5 hour ice sessions. Rosters reduced to 22.
• Early bird, 4 games each. September 27^th and 28^th
•  At midnight on Sunday, September 28th, teams have 24 hours to finalize a minimum of 17 players confirmed for the year. A minimum of 17 rostered players are to be confirmed by 10 pm on September 29^th.
• At midnight on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025, teams are to submit their final rosters for the year.

DARTMOUTH – Hockey Nova Scotia, in partnership with the Nova Scotia U15 Major Hockey League, announced today that a league franchise has been awarded in Region 5.

Following a call for bids last month and a thorough selection process, long-time hockey administrator Paul Hollingsworth was selected as the winning applicant in Region 5, which includes the boundaries of the Cole Harbour Bel Ayr Minor Hockey Association and the Eastern Shore Minor Hockey Association.

The franchise will retain the Harbour Rage name and branding for the upcoming 2025–26 Nova Scotia U15 Major Hockey League season.

Hollingsworth is well-known in the Nova Scotia hockey community for both his career and community involvement. A long-serving vice president with the Dartmouth Whalers Minor Hockey Association, he has been the sole operator of the Voyageurs U16 AAA team since the Nova Scotia U16 AAA Hockey League’s inaugural season in 2016–17.

A dedicated community volunteer, Hollingsworth has worked closely with the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame, the IWK Health Centre, and Dartmouth General Hospital. In 2023, he launched the Hollingsworth Family Award at Saint Mary’s University. During his first year at Saint Mary’s, Hollingsworth lost his brother Bryce to mental illness. With the support of the Saint Mary’s community, he completed his degree and found strength in adversity—growing what he calls “armour” against life’s challenges. A proud alumnus and mental health advocate, Hollingsworth established the scholarship to support full-time entrance students who have faced significant personal adversity, such as the loss of a sibling or parent.

The Nova Scotia U15 Major Hockey League is comprised of 12 teams from across the province and is the top male U15 league in Nova Scotia.

Hockey Nova Scotia would like to congratulate Paul Hollingsworth on his successful bid and wish him and his team the best of luck in the upcoming season.

 

 

Garreth MacDonald

Communications & Special Events Director

Hockey Nova Scotia

 

 

https://hockeynovascotia.ca/home/new-franchise-operator-welcomed-to-nova-scotia-u15-major-hockey-league-in-region-5/