Dear Coronation Families,
We hope you are all having a good summer and that everyone in your family is healthy.
Although everyone’s thoughts are focused on the last couple weeks of summer (fun!) and the back to school situation (not fun!), hockey season isn’t too far off. If you haven’t already registered, we strongly encourage everyone who intends to play hockey this season to sign up on the Coronation website.
https://bit.ly/3gXk6Y3
There is no cost at this time and having you registered will give us a better idea of how to approach the year. It is much more urgent than in past years that we have a good estimate as to number of players we will have.
Our season, as in the past, is scheduled to start in the second week of October. That should give everyone a sense of how Hamilton is handling the coronavirus once school returns. If you aren’t comfortable with the situation, you are able to cancel your registration with no penalty.
We know many kids and their families are excited to get back to playing hockey while also anxious about how the season will look, especially with regards to player safety. With that in mind the Coronation Minor Hockey Association executive has been working with the City of Hamilton, the Hamilton Minor Hockey Council, and the Ontario Hockey Federation to make plans for our upcoming hockey season.
While much is up in the air, we have an outline of the what lays ahead. This is by no means an exhaustive list, it just covers some of the basics.
Until there is a vaccine, we will be playing 4-on-4. That is how we expect the season will begin.
There will be a limit on the number of people allowed in anyone facility. The City will inform us of the number when it is determined. Given that Hamilton currently has a 50 person maximum restriction on indoor gatherings, that is likely the number but it could change.
The rinks will be operating in one hour time blocks with a 30 minute buffer between ice blocks for staff to sanitize the facility, including high touch areas. Actual ice times will be 60 minutes as opposed to previous 50 minutes.
Masks will be mandatory while in the building for everyone, including players until they enter the ice surface.
Depending on the facility there may be an area for spectators. Spectators must adhere to physical distancing measures. There may be a cap on the number of spectators.
No dressing rooms will be available. Players will come and leave fully dressed. There will be an area to tie skates, although you may want to come in skates and skate guards. There may be an exception for goalies who will come as dressed as possible and then put their skates, pads, and chest protector on upon arrive.
As of now, there will be no Select season.
The Hamilton Minor Hockey Council is meeting next week to determine their opening plan for the City. Once we have more information from them we will update you with the details.
In the meantime, if you have any questions please respond to this email and we will answer them in a follow up newsletter.
Thanks for your time. Stay Safe.
Coronation Minor Hockey Association Excutives