November 6th Update:
COMMONWEALTH ISSUES UPDATED GUIDANCE PERTAINING TO RINKS & HOCKEY
We have the updated guidance document listed below from the Commonwealth (CLICK HERE FOR LINK) regarding youth sports and specifically ice rink facilities and youth/recreational hockey in Massachusetts which goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, November 7, 2020. It is important that the hockey community understands and follows this guidance. Those not following the guidance are subject to fines and shutdowns from the various state agencies at the local level and any widespread disregard for the guidance puts the entire sport at risk for a much longer stoppage, which is not what anyone wants.
While we are highlighting some of the changes to the guidance below, we strongly encourage everyone to read and understand the expectations.
FACE COVERINGS: Players, coaches and officials are required to wear face coverings at all times. This includes during play. Acceptable face coverings should follow the guidance issued by the CDC (CLICK HERE FOR LINK). Products that are specific to hockey (CCM “Game On”, Bauer Concept 3 Splash Guard, etc.) are understood to be also expected acceptable. to meet the standards set by the CDC. (p.6 of Guidance)
MODIFICATIONS TO SPORT: Previous modifications that required the elimination of deliberate contact are no longer in effect. This means that body-checking is allowed as permissible by USA Hockey playing rules. (p.4 of Guidance)
SPECTATORS: Facilities (at their discretion) now have the ability to allow two (2) adult chaperones and siblings per player into the facility provided they follow social distancing guidance and the facility remains below 50% of capacity. (p.7 of Guidance)
CONTACT TRACING: Both the facility operator (rink) AND the activity organizer (entity that purchases the ice time) are responsible for complying with any and all contact tracing requests. Failure to do so will result in fines and/or shutdowns of those who do not comply. (p.9 of Guidance)
MULTIPLE GAMES/TOURNAMENTS: Teams are limited to one game per day unless games are played back-to-back in a multi-sheet facility and the facility has adequate transition space for players and spectators and there is no break between games. (p.6 of Guidance)
TRAVEL/OUT OF STATE TEAMS and PLAYERS: Facilities may only allow Massachusetts-based teams and Massachusetts-based participants to participate in Massachusetts-based events held at Massachusetts-based facilities. Any Massachusetts-based athlete that chooses to leave the state to participate in a sports event must comply with the COVID-19 Travel Order issued by the Commonwealth before returning to work, school or public events. Any Massachusetts based team that chooses to leave the state to participate in a sport event or any facility/program that hosts an out-of-state team at a Massachusetts facility or allows an out-of-state player to participate on a Massachusetts-based team risks facility closure or suspension of practices and/or games. (p.9 of Guidance)
LOCKER ROOMS: Locker rooms are to be closed until further notice. Facility operators will ensure that they are not open or occupied. Players are strongly encouraged to arrive dressed in their equipment and facilities will have socially-distanced space set up where players can put on their skates and other equipment prior to taking the ice. Each facility will have a traffic flow pattern specific to their set up. We encourage facilities to share this information with programs and coaches in advance of an ice session as well as posting online in conjunction with their league partners. (p.10 of Guidance)
TRANSPORTATION: If carpooling to an event (which is strongly discouraged), all parties must wear face coverings. (p.11 of Guidance)
We remain in constant communication with the Commonwealth and will provide updates to the hockey community if there are any changes or updates to the attached guidance.
We are excited to see the rinks reopen their doors tomorrow morning and have the kids back playing the game that they love. While people may have concerns or opinions about some of the new guidance, please understand that these are the rules that the Commonwealth has set and we are all responsible to stay within the framework provided. If there are any concerns or reports of non-compliance, people are encouraged to report it to the either the local board of health or Department of Labor Standards. They can be reached at
or (508) 616-0461 x.9488.
Covid-10 Safety Standards
In an effort to create a safe environment for Milton Youth Hockey members as we return to the rinks, the MYH Board of Directors has created Covid-19 Safety Standards which are available on the MYH website. These Safety Standards were developed to assist in executing on the guidance of local State and town officials, rink operators, league officials, Mass Hockey, and USA Hockey. The guidelines below will be followed by all members of MYH in Phase 3, Step 1 of the State of Massachusetts reopening plan while participating in any MYH activity at any rink. MYH will update all guidelines if and when we enter Phase 3, Step 2 and beyond as additional information becomes available.
MYH will follow guidance from the State of Massachusetts on safely reopening and returning to play for youth sports. These items can be found here:
Updated 11-6-20 Youth Sports Guidance:
https://www.mass.gov/doc/safety-standards-for-youth-and-adult-amateur-sports-activities-phase-iii-step-2-effective-11720/download
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/executive-office-of-energy-and-environmental-affairs-eea-covid-19-guidance-documents#youth-and-adult-amateur-sports-activities-
https://www.mass.gov/doc/safety-standards-for-youth-and-adult-amateur-sports-activities-phase-iii-step-1/download
https://www.mass.gov/doc/safety-standards-for-youth-and-adult-amateur-sports-activities-phase-iii-step-1-0/download
For hockey specific guidance, see Mass Hockey resources including a recording of a webinar held on August 16th regarding returning to the rinks: https://www.mahockey.org/hockeyresources
For Mass Hockey FAQ’s in regards to returning to the rinks:
https://cdn2.sportngin.com/attachments/document/d107-2239631/FAQ_RTTR_Phase_3_Step_1.pdf#_ga=2.221555935.658589944.1598720164-1779321498.1596825411
In addition to the CDC, State, and NGO guidelines, MYH will also require and implement the following safety measures:
“Hat Trick Test” for guardians of each participant that shall be certified before they enter any rink:
1. I took my child’s temperature less than 2 hours before their practice or game and it was less than 100.4 degrees.
2. My child has not experienced any symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days (fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, muscle ache or pain, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell). If they have experienced these symptoms, they have since tested negative for COVID-19 since the onset of symptoms AND/OR have a doctor’s note stating that it is safe for the child to return to play.
3. My child has neither tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days nor awaiting test results, and not knowingly been in close contact with anyone (including household) that has tested positive for COVID- 19 in the past 14 days. If someone in your household is feeling unwell and is pending a COVID test, please refrain from attending practices/games until a negative test result is received for that household member.
• All parents required to sign a one-time waiver- agreeing to continuous adherence to the “Hat Trick Test” and to these Safety Standards for duration of the 2020-2021 MYH Season, from the time of your registration through April 2021 (provided by MYH online and at the rinks where applicable).
Guidelines for participating in a scheduled skate in Phase 3, Step 1:
-RSVP with MYH electronically within 24 hours of ice time
-Skater and 1 guardian can enter 10 minutes before ice time with masks on
-Use hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting rinks
-Arrive fully dressed. Can put skates, helmet, gloves, mouthguard on in the rink in assigned areas 6 feet apart.
-Locker room use should be minimized during practices and skills. At Ulin, warm room and benches in the main rink will be available. Locker rooms will be unavailable for practices/skills.
-For game play, each rink visited will have different rules for social distancing. Please abide by each rinks rules.
-Follow foot traffic flow charts in facility (enter one point, exit another point)
-On the ice masks are not required for practices and skills
-During game play masks will need to be worn by centers taking face-offs as well as by players on the bench. This will prove difficult to pull up and down a gaiter or mask with a helmet on. Therefore, we recommend practicing with your player at home and/or consider having your player wear a mask at all times during game play.
-No sharing of water bottles. Please label with player name.
-No spitting out water or fluids on the ice or areas around the benches
-Social distance on the ice but stay in your cohort
-Coaches are required to wear masks AT ALL TIMES. This includes on the ice during practices/skills/benches during games
-Coaches should bring their own whiteboard if needed. It is recommended that coaches minimize gatherings at the white board
-Collect water bottle, go off the ice at the end of practice, pull mask up
-Everyone should leave the building with a mask on no more than 10 minutes after ice time concludes
-Cohorts of 25 allowed on the ice at least 14 feet apart, 2 groups max, everyone maintaining social distance, stay in your group entire hour. Center ice will be blocked off to maintain distance between cohorts/teams.
-Coaches responsible for executing on all guidelines on the ice
-All skills and drills (think skating and shooting) will be modified to adhere to social distancing recommendations
-Everyone should wear a mask until you go on the ice
-One guardian per participant. Masks for all in the rink and social distance in the stands and around boards at all times
-No full clear shield required. Masks are required still with full face shields as these have openings at the bottom allowing for fluid exchange. Bauer and CCM are making attachments for full shields but are currently not available. See more information here from USA Hockey: https://cdn3.sportngin.com/attachments/document/a86d-2166147/FullShield.FaceMasks.COVID19.June2020.pdf#_ga=2.127267469.1034889785.1598724805-649940838.1598545727
Additional MYH Specific Guidelines:
Everyone: Parents, Coaches and Players will all need to work together for us to
-RSVP with MYH electronically within 24 hours of ice time. This is extremely important for accurate record keeping in the event that contract tracing needs to be done.
-If any coach, parent, player develops COVID-19 symptoms or positive test, please isolate at home, report to MYH Coach. MYH will work with local Board of Health to initiate appropriate contract tracing
-Masks: a gaiter will be provided by MYH to coaches and players. This or another face covering must be worn at all times, covering face off the ice, pull down over neck on the ice if you choose.
-Water bottles will be provided to each coach/player. Please label. No sharing allowed.
-Any additional safety measures deemed a necessity by the rink(s) and specific Town(s) where the rink is located
Coaches:
-Mandatory Coaches meeting (virtual) to be held in September prior to season start
-Attendance records will be mandatory. Please work with Team Manager to track players in attendance at practices/skills/games in the League Athletics system
-Electronic whistles will be provided for Coaches
- All skills and drills (think skating and shooting) will be modified to adhere to social distancing recommendations
-Responsible for all contact and cleaning of pucks, cones, or anything used on the ice
-Coaches will have sanitizing wipes for dashers or anything that needs cleaning on the ice
- Coaches assigned to any ice hour will be responsible for all enforcement of guidelines (masks/social distancing) and protocol during that time
-See Coaching Resources on MYH site, MA Hockey and USA Hockey sites for sample drills and skills
Players:
-Try to stay 6 feet apart on the ice at all times-approximately two arm lengths or a hockey stick apart
-Reminder no sharing of water bottles (please label with name) or any other equipment
-Keep all equipment on while on the ice at all times, including no physical contact with pucks
-Stay with your team on the ice. Do not intermingle with players from other team
Parents/guadians:
-Wash / disinfect all equipment used on the ice each time
-Self attest health of self/player(s) before entering the rink (“Hat Trick Test”)
-Wear mask and practice social distance at rink-approximately two arm lengths
