Hockey Nova Scotia warns teams about tournament registration scam

Minor hockey teams across Nova Scotia are being urged to stay alert after reports of a scam involving fake invitations to legitimate hockey tournaments.

According to Hockey Nova Scotia , fraudsters are sending registration information that appears to come from real tournaments, using official logos, association names, tournament branding, and copied registration forms to make the invitations look legitimate.

How the Scam Works

The scam targets hockey teams and associations by directing them to fraudulent registration websites or payment systems.

Bryan Esbaugh, president of the Chebucto Minor Hockey Association , said the issue came to light when another hockey association contacted them asking whether registrations were open for the organization’s established Kyle Henneberry Memorial Tournament .

After looking into the situation, organizers discovered someone had apparently created a fake version of the tournament registration process.

Why It’s Concerning

Tournament entry fees can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. In many cases, teams could unknowingly send registration payments directly to scammers.

But the financial loss isn’t the only concern.

Teams may believe they have successfully registered for an event and go on to book hotels, transportation, and make travel plans, only to discover later that they were never actually registered for the tournament.

That could leave players, families, and coaches scrambling at the last minute.

Scammers Using Familiar Tactics

Esbaugh says the scam follows a pattern familiar to many online fraud schemes.

Tournament organizers often have publicly available contact information on association websites. Scammers can use that information, copy tournament materials, create convincing websites, and send fraudulent emails that look authentic.

As technology makes it easier to recreate websites and documents, these scams can be difficult to spot at first glance.

How Teams Can Protect Themselves

Hockey Nova Scotia recommends that teams:

Verify tournament information directly with organizers.

Use contact information listed on official Hockey Nova Scotia tournament pages.

Avoid relying solely on links or contact information provided in unsolicited emails.

Confirm payment instructions before submitting registration fees.

Register only through official tournament hosts.

The organization also maintains a list of approved tournaments on its website to help teams verify legitimate events.

The Bottom Line

As hockey season gets underway, organizers are reminding teams to take a few extra minutes to verify tournament registration details before sending money.

A quick phone call or email to an official tournament organizer could prevent a costly mistake and ensure players spend their weekends on the ice instead of dealing with a scam.