To the PMHA memberships and players
As we all move forwarded through these unprecedented times, we would like to provide the membership and parents as many answers as possible regarding the upcoming 2020-2021 hockey season. After consultation with other centres and following the Return to Hockey outlines by Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) and the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), the Province of Ontario and the Local Health Unit, the board has drawn a structure for this upcoming season. This plan will focus on making the return to hockey fluid, while enhancing the experience.
Due to the pandemic, this season will be altered from previous years. The
PMHA board will remain
active regarding upcoming changes and will communicate updates quickly and
clearly to the
membership. Regular updates will be provided as we get closer to our
September 14 start date and
throughout the season. It will be important to monitor communications from
PMHA (Email) and the
PMHA website regularly.
OHF has developed the Return to Hockey document, which is the guiding
structure for the upcoming
season. Below is a snapshot of the pertinent details.
As is shown there are multiple stages and phases to this document. As we progress through the hockey season, our movement through these phases will be determined by OMHA, the province and the local health unit. We are currently in phase 3a and expect to move to phase 3b on September 1st.
Registration: PMHA will continue to have its registration open until September 1st. At this time, OMHA had dictated got no annual fees to be collected until during registration. Please continue to monitor PMHA website and PMHA emails as they will provide dates and time for fee collection.
PMHA Start Date:
The season will begin on September 26th, 2020 for U8 (formerly novice) to U18 (formerly midget) players, and shortly thereafter for U7 and below.
Hockey Structure Stage 3b U8 (Minor Novice)-U18 (Midget)
Safety Protocols - ALL participants, including players, coaches, instructors, must complete a health screening prior to each participation in an on-ice activity. The health screening may be completed verbally. A Tracking Sheet must be completed for each on-ice session to facilitate Contact Tracing in the event of a COVID-19 exposure.
Cohort/Bubble - Players are to be grouped to a maximum of 50 or less depending on the PHU. The OHF will review the maximum number permitted upon amendments by the Ontario Government.
The number of 50 refers to players only. Bench Staff are not included in this cohort/bubble.
Representative Hockey - During Stage 3, there will no Traditional Representative Hockey Leagues and no Team Tryouts. Teams will be determined by the level of play in the previous season(s).
Game Play - Following a minimum two-week development phase for any new programs, modified 3 on 3 or 4 on 4 game play with No Physical Contact hockey may begin. All Game Play is within local Public Health Unit. All Game Play must be conducted in conjunction with the local PHU and facility rules for the purpose of sanitation and physical distancing.
Initiation Program U5 – U7 – Further discussion is required to determine this program. Please monitor the PHMA website and your emails.
Access to Arena Facilities
All players must arrive dressed to the arena and must wear a mask while in the facility. Dressing room will open 15 minutes prior to practice/game play and will be marked for social distancing. Players must leave the dressing room not later than 15 minutes after practice/game play. Showers will not available.
Parent/Guardians will be allowed to watch the practice/gameplay at one per player to maintain a gathering of no more that 50 people.
Health screening and contact tracing will be required to enter the arena.
Washroom facilities will remain closed to the public.
Masks will be require to be worn at all times in the arena.
Participants are to follow the directional signage to the dressing rooms and ice area. Players are to stay in their rooms until the ice is ready and they will proceed onto the ice through the designated ice entry point in a physically distant format. Players who just exited the ice surface have 15 minutes to change and exit the facility through the identified exit. No player is to exit the dressing room until the other players have fully entered the ice surface.
For more information, see the links below:
https://hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/exclusive/return-to-hockey
https://www.ohf.on.ca/risk-management/return-to-hockey-covid-19-response
https://www.omha.net/covid-19
PMHA Board