A battery cell assembly includes a pouch-type battery cell having a battery member, an external housing, and first and second electrical terminals. The external housing has a central housing portion and a peripheral lip member extending around a periphery of the central housing portion. The central housing portion encloses the battery member therein. The first and second electrical terminals are electrically coupled to the battery member and extend outwardly from the peripheral lip member. The assembly further includes a first tube disposed against the peripheral lip member of the external housing. The peripheral lip member extends around the first tube such that the first tube is at least partially disposed within a first interior region defined by the peripheral lip member.