After a tumultuous season of starts, stops, and cold days getting dressed in the parking lot, Calgary minor hockey players’ skates — and spirits — are flying.
“It’s amazing. They’re so happy to see each other every day,” hockey mom Jennifer Croteau said. “(Last season) was really hard, especially on the kids. They look forward to this — this is their outlet. It was hard for them to not know what was coming or what the next month would look like.”
Players with Hockey Calgary won’t be required to have a COVID-19 vaccine before hitting the ice this fall, however, all people in the organization will be required to wear face masks.
“We felt it was in line with what was going on in the community with the schools,” Hockey Calgary executive director Kevin Kobelka said.
“Sixty-five per cent of our membership is 12 and under so they can’t (receive) vaccines. We looked at whether we should we have a program for under 12 and over 12, and we felt it was easiest and safest to just have the same program for all levels and all ages.”
In the return-to-play guidance, Hockey Calgary said the mask mandate will be in place for all players, coaches and team officials effective Friday, Aug. 27.
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The mandate is in place for one month, and the organization said it would review the policy to determine next steps.
Guidelines for members are as follows:
- Players are required to wear masks upon entering the arena and in dressing room area. Players should remove their masks only immediately prior to putting on their helmet and entering onto the ice surface
- All coaches and team staff are required to wear a mask at all times while off the ice. This includes the dressing room area, and the player’s bench
- Coaches are permitted on ice without a mask when distancing from players, but must wear a mask on the ice when in close contact (inside two metres) of any player, coach, and/or official
- Volunteers and minor officials are required to wear a mask in and around the direct playing area, in the timekeeper/penalty box area, and when in close contact with any player, coach or official
- Officials are required to wear a mask upon entering the arena, and in the dressing room area. Officials should remove their masks only immediately prior to putting on their helmet and entering onto the ice surface
- Masks are required for fans and parents in the dressing room area, player’s bench, penalty boxes, and timekeeper’s box. In all other areas of the facility spectators must follow the protocols as laid out by the individual facilities
“I feel like we’re willing to do whatever to keep everyone safe so they can play,” Croteau said. “We just want them to play hockey so if that’s what we have to do while our vaccination rates go up, so be it.”
“It’s for them — it’s not for us, for our egos, what you believe is right or wrong,” coach and parent Kyle Wanvig added.
“I’ve got to be honest, I have different feelings both ways, but at the end of the day, to play hockey, to make sure she’s getting active time, we’ll do what we’ve got to got to do.”
In addition to the masking guidelines, Hockey Calgary members are encouraged to self-screen for symptoms of COVID-19, and not attend any events if they are experiencing any symptoms.
“Hockey Calgary will not have a strict contact tracing protocol. However, out of an abundance of caution, if there is an instance where Hockey Calgary or its member associations are made aware of a potential exposure, the team(s) will be notified,” the organization said.
According to Hockey Calgary executive director Kevin Kobelka, the organization didn’t mandate vaccines for members because roughly 65 per cent of its players are under 12, and therefore not eligible for either shot.
The Greater Toronto Hockey League announced on Wednesday that it would require all eligible players to be vaccinated before participating in the 2021-22 season.
More information on Hockey Calgary’s return-to-play guidelines can be found online.
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