HOCKEY WINNIPEG DIRECTIVE – DECEMBER 15 2020

Hockey Winnipeg and its member Minor Hockey Associations are committed to providing quality hockey programs in 2021, in a manner that is safe and responsible.  Hockey Winnipeg is currently planning a number of different approaches to hockey in 2021 with the goal of implementation under various levels of restrictions that may be in place from the Manitoba Provincial Government.  Once hockey receives approval to re-enter return to play and Hockey Winnipeg receives approval from our governing bodies – Hockey Manitoba and Sport Manitoba – we will return to the ice as soon as is reasonably possible.  While we do not know what the next few weeks hold, it is our intention to begin this program implementation as soon as possible following the lifting of restrictions.

Hockey Winnipeg would like to remind our members that the health and safety of our entire community is of the greatest importance at this time.  By complying with the current restrictions we can all play a part in the return of hockey and many other valuable activities.  Over the next few weeks outdoor hockey rinks and frozen lakes will be available for use. We encourage everyone to be physically active but must remind our members that organized team activities on these surfaces are strictly prohibited by public health orders.  Any violation of the Public Health Act and specifically Order #12 (or any other relevant orders) will not only result in enforcement from the Province of Manitoba but Hockey Winnipeg may take additional disciplinary action as well.

Hockey Winnipeg would like to wish all of our members a Merry Christmas, a safe holiday season and a Happy New Year.  We look forward to dropping the puck in 2021!

Ian McArton

Executive Director, Hockey Winnipeg

OCTOBER 30, 2020 – UPDATE FROM HOCKEY WINNIPEG

There has been an update from the Government of Manitoba. It reads:

The Winnipeg Metropolitan region will move to the Critical level (red) on the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System effective Monday, November 2nd. The following measures will be put in place:

Sports and Recreation Activities

• All recreational facilities, group sports, arcades, bowling, etc. Suspended.
• All indoor and outdoor sports facilities closed.

Hockey Winnipeg is implementing the following directives:

• Effective Saturday, October 31st ALL Hockey Winnipeg sanctioned activities must cease and are postponed until further notice
• This is including but not limited to: practices, development sessions, games, exhibition games, dryland workouts and team functions
• Hockey Winnipeg teams are NOT permitted to travel outside the city to participate in any hockey activities
• These directives apply to all levels of play within Hockey Winnipeg including U18 AAA
• A number of facilities are already closed in Winnipeg.  Before going to the rink tonight please check to see if your facility is still open.

Hockey Winnipeg would like to encourage our members to follow the Provincial guidelines, the sooner we can stop the spread of Covid-19 the sooner we can get back to the rink.

When more information becomes available regarding a return to sanctioned activity it will be shared at that time.

Regards,

Ian McArton

As we continue to navigate through the challenges presented to us, I would ask that you get the message out to all of your participants about rink protocol. Please ensure that you forward this message out to ALL of your coaches at ALL levels. Please also insist that they forward this information on to ALL PARENTS.

Since this differs from rink to rink, our message is very clear and will apply to all rinks.

Only 1 parent/spectator per player will be permitted.

Arrive just prior to game time and remain in your seat with your mask on the entire time unless using the washroom.

****DO NOT STAND AROUND CHATTING IN THE LOBBY.

You are there to watch the game/practice - not to socialize or congregate in groups in the lobby. You are either in the rink in your seat, in the washroom, or in your car. There are NO OTHER OPTIONS.****

After the ice time, leave the rink and building and wait in your car for your child without congregating in groups outside of the entrance. The exception to this is obviously younger kids that require assistance.

***This applies to all levels of hockey Male and Female A, AA and AAA.***

The rink staff will not be walking around to enforce rules and get into confrontations, however they WILL report non compliance and that WILL put us at risk of losing our ice privileges' and risk losing our season.

Let's all remember that this is about the children and the many benefits associated with them being active. It is IMPERATIVE that we all follow these rules and enforce compliance at ALL facilities.

July 30, 2020

HOCKEY MANITOBA RELEASES RETURN TO PLAY DRAFT
FOR 2020 - 2021 SEASON

Hockey Manitoba is pleased to release our Return to Play (RTP) draft for the 2020 - 2021 season which is currently being reviewed by the Province of Manitoba.  Hockey Manitoba continues to work closely with Hockey Canada, Sport Manitoba, and the Province of Manitoba with the anticipation that the plan will be approved in the near future.

This draft is being distributed for members to be familiar with all aspects of the plan to ensure the health and safety of all members once hockey has been approved by the province.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW HOCKEY MANITOBA'S RETURN TO PLAY DRAFT

The Return to Play draft incorporates the current requirements outlined in Stages 1 - 4 of the Government of Manitoba’s Restoring Safe Services Plan, health and safety guidelines from Hockey Canada, and programming, registration and sanctioning for Hockey Manitoba.

Part of our commitment includes an ongoing and regular review of our RTP protocols based on the latest recommended COVID-19 health precautions, which will help to enhance the positive hockey experience under the province’s health directives. 

The Return to Hockey Plan has three phases

• Phase 1 (began June 1, 2020) - On-ice skill development (non-contact), online meetings and clinics, non-sanctioned activities
• Phase 2 (subject to approval from the Province of Manitoba) - on-ice skill development (non-contact), drills, team tactics, online or in-person clinics, tryouts
• Phase 3 (subject to approval from the Province of Manitoba) - regular season competition (contact), game play (contact), practices (contact), travel

Hockey Manitoba would like to reiterate for its members that all hockey camps, skills sessions, recreational leagues, and tournaments that are currently operating in the province are not sanctioned by Hockey Manitoba.  The reopening of arenas in Manitoba begun as of June 1, 2020 as facilities were able to open along with Phase 2 of the Manitoba Restoring Safe Services plan.  

If you have any questions pertaining to Hockey Manitoba's Return to Play Protocols for the 2020 - 2021 season please email: info@hockeymanitoba.ca.

For more information on Hockey Manitoba's Return to Hockey plan, please visit www.hockeymanitoba.ca/return-to-play/.
 
Below are links to Hockey Canada's Return to Hockey Safety Guidelines document and FAQ in support of Hockey Manitoba's Return to Play plan.
 
Hockey Canada Return to Hockey Safety Guidelines
Hockey Canada Return to Hockey Safety Guidelines FAQ
 
Thank you.

 - Hockey Manitoba

Hockey Canada has issued a statement that, the best approach for a return to hockey in Canada is to allow each Member the opportunity to work with authorities in their respective regions to determine when it is safe to return to the ice in areas that fall under their jurisdiction. The return to play plan will happen at different speeds and at different times across the country.

As stated, “After ongoing discussions with the board of directors, our chief medical officer, the 13 Members and public health authorities across the country, it has been determined that the best approach for a return to hockey in Canada is to allow each Member the opportunity to work with authorities in their respective regions to determine when it is safe to return to the ice in areas that fall under their jurisdiction. We expect the timing of each Member’s return to hockey will be different, but will be based on the advice of their government and public health authority.”

We will update as soon as possible how this development affects us in the APHA Rangers AA Hockey. 

For more information, visit:

Hockey Canada Statement on Return to Hockey

Hockey Manitoba – Return to Play

2020 RANGERs 4x4 Camp

Registration for the 2020 Rangers 4 x 4 Camp is now open. Details on age categories, fees and how you can register your athlete are in the “4 x4  Camp” tab above.

Should this camp be cancelled due to COVID 19, you will receive a full refund less the processing fee charged by Sportsengine. Details of our refund policy are also  in the "4 x 4 Camp" tab.  

Registration closes when all spots are filled. We hope to see you on the ice with us later this summer!