The Executive Board continues to to meet in order to prepare for the upcoming 2020 - 2021 season.
During the last two weeks members of the Executive Board have participated in two webinars hosted by the OMHA and the OHF.
On March 12, 2020 OHF suspended all sanctioned hockey activities in order to maintain the health and safety of all participants amid the growing concerns around the COVID - 19 pandemic.
On June 4, 2020 the OHF announced the following statement in regards to the Return to Hockey in Canada:
"It has been determined that the best approach for a return to hockey is to allow each Member Association the opportunity to work with authorities in their respective regions to determine when it is safe to return to the ice in the areas that fall under their jurisdictions. They expect the timing of each Member's return to hockey will be different based on the advice of their local government and health authorities. It is imperative to note that we are not ready to return to the game of hockey at this point. Hockey Canada knows the game will look quite different and the return will occur at different speeds across the country."
The OMHA and OHF continue to advise that collecting registration fees should not take place until a better understanding of the scope and nature of our return can be determined.
The OHF has developed a Return to Hockey Protocol that will assist in developing our hockey programming.
The Protocol is divided into three phases:
Phase 1- Protect and Support
Phase 2- Restart, Protect and Support
Stage 1 - Individual Training (groups of less than 10)
Stage 2 - Small Group Training
Stage 3 - Non- traditional Training (3 on 3)
Stage 4 - Full Programming
Phase 3- Recover, Protect and Support.
The Board will initiate several committees in the near future to determine exactly how and when we will return to the game we love. The 2020-2021 budget had already been determined prior to the Provincial Emergency Order. No increase in registration costs was planned for the upcoming season. However, registration fees will be reassessed once we have a better idea about the starting date and the type of programming that will be offered.
Committees will deal directly with OMHA-OHF to determine actual on ice programming through the three above listed phases.
Board members will also contact our Municipal leaders regarding the arena facilities- use of dressing rooms- number of people allowed to enter - cleaning/disinfecting and contracted ice fees.
The Kent Health Unit will need to assist us in approving our Return to Hockey Protocols in order to maintain the health and safety of everyone.
Travel Hockey is certainly one issue that will require a greater input from our local Health Unit. The Bluewater League is comprised of teams from the Windsor Essex and Chatham Kent Health Units. Both are at different stages of recovery. Will teams be allowed to travel back and forth?
The health and safety of everyone will determine when we return to hockey.
It is the Boards intention of conducting a survey/letter of intent to determine our memberships desire to play hockey this upcoming season.
For more information on the Return to Hockey visit:
hockeycanada.ca/returntohockey
OHF Bulletin
Hockey Canada Safety Guidelines
Hockey Canada Safety Guidelines FAQ
Hockey Canada Media Advisory
The KMHA Executive Board will continue to provide updates as they become available.