AAA, AA, Tiered league games concluded for 2020-21 season

Hockey Alberta, in conjunction with its Leagues that oversee Tiered, AAA and AA hockey, has concluded regular league play for the remainder of the 2020-21 season. The decision was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon.

While youth leagues play is concluded for this season, Hockey Alberta continues to focus on working with our Members to explore all options that could comprise a spring development season when Step 2 of the Government of Alberta’s “A Path Forward” (announced on Friday) comes into effect. Hockey Alberta will be working closely with those organizations that have access to facilities and/or have players interested in playing to ensure that those who are interested in playing can have that opportunity, when our sport is allowed back on the ice.

The Government’s announcement provided a four-step timeline for when business and other activities – such as hockey and other team/ youth sports – could be allowed to return to operations. Transition from one step to another will be based on provincial hospitalization numbers. Step 1 starts on February 8. The earliest hockey could return would be March 1.

Hockey Alberta is disappointed by the Government’s announcement. Our senior leadership team has been involved in ongoing discussions on what a safe and inclusive relaunch plan could look like for our sport. Hockey Alberta will continue working with government and health officials to develop a relaunch plan that allows for hockey activities and keeps our youth active for their physical and mental well-being.
The Minor leagues decision applies to the following leagues:

• Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL)
• North East Alberta Hockey League (NEAHL)
• Northern Alberta Interlock (NAI)
• All Peace Hockey League (APHL)
• Rocky Mountain Female Hockey League (RMFHL)
• East Central Alberta Female Hockey League (ECAFHL)
• South Central Alberta Hockey League (SCAHL)
• Northern Alberta Hockey League (NAHL)
• Hockey Calgary
• Edmonton Federation Hockey League (EFHL)
• Rural & Edmonton Minor Hockey League (REMHL)
• Rockies Hockey League (RHL)
• Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL)
• Alberta Female Hockey League (AFHL)

Junior B, C, and Female and Senior leagues have set February 8 as their target for determining if continuing to plan league play is sustainable.

RED DEER - Do you have a coach that has had a positive impact on your team through the 2020-21 season? Hockey Alberta is still accepting nominations for the Coach of the Month program, sponsored by Players Bench Team Apparel.

Hockey Alberta is looking to celebrate coaches who showed exceptional leadership, initiative, and innovation during the difficult 2020-21 season. In a year with a long pause, and increased guidelines and responsibilities, coaches have been even more important to the minor hockey experience. Their countless hours and dedication provide the opportunity for over 60,000 kids in Alberta to experience hockey in a safe and fun environment.

Help us recognize a coach in your community by nominating him or her for the Hockey Alberta Coach of the Month, presented by Players Bench Team Apparel.

Nominate a Coach of the Month ›

Selected coaches will receive a coaching package valued at over $500.

Get your nominations in soon! The deadline is Monday, March 22 at 11:59pm.

Step 1 of the Government of Alberta’s A Path Forward allows specific hockey activity to occur. Children and youth are allowed to participate in limited team sport activities, subject to mandatory restrictions as outlined by the Government of Alberta.

• All participants must be 18 years old or younger, except coaches/ instructors.
• Practices are allowed for indoor and outdoor training.
  • Games are not allowed.
• Physical distancing must be maintained at all times between all groups and all participants (players, coaches/ instructors) in each group at all times:
  • 3-metres physical distance for indoor activities
  • 2-metres physical distance for outdoor activities
• An indoor ice surface can be split (use physical dividers wherever possible), allowing for two groups of 10 to be active on the ice at the same time. See Children’s Sport and Performance Activities tab.

Full guidelines and requirements can be found in the updated version of Hockey Alberta’s Return to Hockey Plan - Hockey’s Path Forward.

HOCKEY’S PATH FORWARD PLAN >

RETURN TO HOCKEY PAGE >

Episode Seven of the Centre Ice Podcast is centred around Black History Month, and celebrating the Albertans who pushed through adversity to achieve success, featuring interviews with Team Alberta alumna Cassandra Vilgrain, and legendary goaltender Grant Fuhr.

Episode Links: Hockey’s Path Forward > | The Story of John Utendale > | Female Hockey Day Sessions > | AEHL Rinkside >

More Episodes >

Centre Ice is the brand-new Hockey Alberta podcast, featuring the latest news and views on amateur hockey across the province. Subscribe now on your favourite podcast app!

Hockey Alberta and its Senior and Junior leagues unanimously decided to conclude all regular league play for the remainder of the 2020-21 season during a meeting held on February 8.

While league play is concluded for this season, the opportunity for Teams to return to on-ice activity at some point remains a possibility. In the Government of Alberta’s “A Path Forward”, Step 3 outlines the potential return of ‘adult team sports’ which could potentially occur in mid to late March.

Hockey Alberta will continue to work closely with government representatives to explore all options that could allow players to return to on-ice activity.

The decision applies to the following leagues:

Senior Leagues

• North Peace Hockey League
• North Central Hockey League
• Sask-Alta Hockey League
• East Central Senior Hockey League
• Ranchland Hockey League

Junior Leagues

• North West Junior Hockey League
• North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League
• Capital Junior Hockey League
• Heritage Junior Hockey League
• Hockey Calgary Junior B and C
• Noralta Junior Hockey League
• Alberta Junior Female Hockey League

Finally, a glimpse of good news for the hockey community in Alberta.

Under Step 1 of the Government of Alberta’s “A Path Forward”, updates provided by the Government on Saturday, February 6 have provided some positive news for Hockey Alberta and our Members.

Children and youth are allowed to participate in limited team sport activities in Step 1, subject to certain mandatory restrictions as outlined on the Government’s A Path Forward webpage.

For Hockey’s Path Forward, effective Monday, February 8, practices are allowed for indoor and outdoor training. Please note, games are not allowed and the maximum number of participants is 10 (including coaches and trainers).

An indoor arena ice surface can be divided in half, and two groups of 10 can participate in on-ice activities at the same time. Each group and all participants in each group must maintain at least three metres physical distancing from each other at all times. Wherever possible, physical barriers should be used to divide the ice surface.

It is imperative that during Step 1 any organization or team hosting activities must be diligent in adhering to all public health requirements – including physical distancing and maximum participant limit requirements – outlined in the Public Health Order.

Full details are outlined in Information Bulletin 20-13, and Information Bulletin 20-14. There is also an FAQ document, and some suggestions on how to set up sessions on a split ice surface. This information will be posted to Hockey Alberta’s Return to Hockey webpage and updated regularly as required.