Return to Hockey update from Saskatchewan Hockey Association
The following is an update from the Saskatchewan Hockey Association.
Hockey Regina will further update their membership once this information has been reviewed and we have more details on our specific Return to Hockey Plan. We thank you for your patience.
Memorandum
To: SHA Membership
From: Kelly McClintock, General Manager of Saskatchewan Hockey Association
Re: Return to Hockey - Saskatchewan Hockey Association
August 12, 2020
The SHA has been working cooperatively with the Provincial Government and the Sask Health Authority on a Return to Hockey Plan for the upcoming season. Currently the Provincial Government and the Sask Health Authority are not prepared to provide a set date to the SHA of when games of any kind can begin.
Therefore, the following is a guideline to start the season and the SHA will attempt to keep you updated as soon as possible on any progress made around start dates for games.
Please ensure you make yourself aware of the Hockey Canada Health and Safety Guidelines. See the attached link:
Please ensure you assign someone from your Board/Team to be the knowledgeable contact for these guidelines and that they train at least one volunteer from each team in your MHA.
Please ensure these people are familiar with the Government of Saskatchewan Re-Open Plan which is updated weekly. See the most recent link:
Currently hockey can be conducted within the Re-Open Plan Guidelines and within a “Training” Phase.
Minor Hockey
“Identification and Training Phase”
Minor Hockey Associations (MHA) who host AA teams can host their identification camps on the weekends specified within the SHA Regulations. Camps must adhere to the Re-Open Sask Guidelines.
They must be restricted to a 50-person limit as detailed within the Re-Open plan for “Mini-Leagues”.
“The 50-person maximum per mini-league includes coaches/staff, instructors, participants from multiple teams, officials and volunteers who cannot maintain two meters of distancing from others at all times. Spectators, including parents, who are not part of a previously listed category, and others who can ensure physical distancing are not included in the 50-person total.”
A total of 30 individuals within the total of 50 can participate in one ice session at a time.
“Organizers must keep a record of attendees. All players, spectators, staff, and volunteers should be provided with a sign-in on arrival option, with name, phone number and/or email to facilitate contact tracing, if necessary. Records of attendance must be retained for a minimum of one month. Where possible, do not use a common pen. Providing this information is voluntary for attendees and can only be used for the purposes of COVID-19 contact tracing.”
Once teams are formed, they are restricted to practicing together - NO GAMES OF ANY KIND ARE SANCTIONED UNTIL THE SHA IS PROVIDED APPROVAL FROM THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT and the SASK HEALTH AUTHORITY.
“AA” teams are comprised of players who live in the “AA” Community or live nearest to the “AA” Community except for four major cities who cannot draw players from outside their cities. (Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert for male; Regina and Saskatoon for Female).
For the remainder of hockey teams are formed outside the four larger cities in the following fashion:
- U11/U9/U7 Communities must register players that live nearest to their community with an allowable radius of 80 km.
- U13 Communities can register any players from within an 80 km radius.
- U15 Communities can register any players from within a 120 km radius.
- U18 Communities can register any players from within a 160 km radius.
For those MHA’s who do not host AA teams they can certainly host tryout/evaluation and skill development sessions if they have multiple teams and follow the same guidelines as the AA teams. For those who do not have to host tryouts/evaluations they can have their teams skate in skill/practice sessions until such time as it is determined games can begin.
Teams can certainly be formed, registered and practice until it is determined when games will begin.
“Tournaments”
At this time, there will be no tournaments sanctioned in Saskatchewan until the new year when that will be reassessed based upon the COVID-19 situation within the province.
“Out-of-Province Travel”
At this time, there will be no out of province travel allowed for exhibition games or tournaments until the new year when that will be reassessed based upon the COVID-19 situation within the province.
Senior Hockey
At this time, we cannot provide a start date for Leagues throughout the province - NO GAMES OF ANYKIND ARE SANCTIONED UNTIL THE SHA IS PROVIDED APPROVAL FROM THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT and the SASK HEALTH AUTHORITY.
Teams can certainly be formed, registered and practice until it is determined games will begin.
“Organizers must keep a record of attendees. All players, spectators, staff, and volunteers should be provided with a sign-in on arrival option, with name, phone number and/or email to facilitate contact tracing, if necessary. Records of attendance must be retained for a minimum of one month. Where possible, do not use a common pen. Providing this information is voluntary for attendees and can only be used for the purposes of COVID-19 contact tracing.”
Junior Hockey
At this time, we cannot provide a start date for Leagues throughout the province - NO GAMES OF ANY KIND ARE SANCTIONED UNTIL THE SHA IS PROVIDED APPROVAL FROM THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT and the SASK HEALTH AUTHORITY.
Teams can certainly be formed, registered and practice until it is determined games will begin.
“Organizers must keep a record of attendees. All players, spectators, staff, and volunteers should be provided with a sign-in on arrival option, with name, phone number and/or email to facilitate contact tracing, if necessary. Records of attendance must be retained for a minimum of one month. Where possible, do not use a common pen. Providing this information is voluntary for attendees and can only be used for the purposes of COVID-19 contact tracing.”
Provincial Playoffs/Carded Minor Hockey Teams
At this we cannot provide any information, however as the SHA works closely with the Provincial Government and the Sask Health Authority, we will keep the Membership updated.
We are certainly in a time where it is difficult for any group to forecast what will transpire this fall. With schools set to re-open, school sports, community recreational and cultural activities, the anticipated annual flu season all in the future, there are many factors that must be taken into the decision making process all while attempting to keep the health of everyone in Saskatchewan as the priority.
Please be patient at this time and we will do our utmost to keep you informed as timely as we can.
Sincerely,
Kelly McClintock
General Manager
