August 14, 2020
Dear Lambton Shores Parents & Players,
During these unprecedented times as September approaches we know that the families within our
association are wondering if there will be a 2020-2021 hockey season and what the hockey season will
look like.
The Ontario Hockey Federation has worked in conjunction with Hockey Canada, the National Sport Organization (NSO) for hockey, and the Ontario Government to ensure that the safety of our Players, Coaches, Officials, Administrators and Volunteers are at the center of the return to play plan. This plan focuses on making the return to hockey fluid, while enhancing the experience.
The season will look very different than in past years, and we are sure there will be many more changes throughout the season. However, we wanted to provide our association families with some information on how Lambton Shores Minor Hockey (LSMHA) plans to progress with the season.
As of September 1st it appears that we will be in Stage 3b of the Ontario Hockey Federations return to play plan
Return to Hockey. After reviewing the OHF plan and the requirements of Lambton Shores recreational facilities the LSMHA season will start with these modifications in place.
Player Groupings:
• There is no official Shamrock, LMLL or OMHA league or games at this time.
• There will be no try out at this time.
• Players can be in a bubble of a maximum of 50
• All players in the bubble must be within our Lambton Public Health unit.
• A maximum of 25 individuals can be on in the ice surface at one time.(Including CoachesLambton Shores municipality rule)
• Given the requirements of the bubble size and on ice number restrictions we will be grouping players into a maximum group size of 20 before stepping on the ice for the first time.
• The 20 player grouping is to allow us to maximize the number of players on the ice at one time, and allow us to further break the group out into two 10 player teams for 3 on 3 games or 4 on 4 games.
• The 10 player teams would consist of a 9 skaters and 1 goalie.
Game Details:
• The games are not official and do not count towards any league.
• Depending on the number of players we have in each age division we are planning to work with other local associations to create the 50 player bubble. That will allow the player groupings to have the opportunity to play some 3 on 3 games against other teams with in our organization and other local associations.
• The 3 of 3 format will not be traditional style hockey. Full details on the play format can be found the return to play document linked above, but a general overview is:
• Game time structure based on a 50-minute ice rental
• 5 min warm up
• 2 x 22 min period run time
• 1 min intermission between 1st and 2nd period
• No overtime / no shootout for tied games
• No faceoffs • Period 1 – visiting team has first possession
• Period 2 – home team has first possession
• No Physical Contact
• Players must remain one stick length apart
• Accidental/incidental contact may occur
• No body checking
• When a scrum or gathering occurs the puck will be given to the defending team and the attacking team
must retreat. A whistle will be blown to separate the players and another whistle to signal the resumption of
play once the official is satisfied the attacking team has retreated and the defending team has gained puck
possession.
Additional Physical Distancing & Covid Related Requirements:
More specific details and information will be provided in the coming weeks, but a general overview is:
• Players cannot attend any hockey related activity if they have tested covid positive, are exhibiting covid symptoms, been in close contact with anyone exhibiting symptoms/tested positive.
• More details on the reporting of symptoms, positive results, etc will come in the following weeks.
• All players will be required to sign in and complete a health assessment questionnaire for all ice times.
• All players and parents will be required to sign into the arena and provide a contact phone number for all ice times.
• Players and parents cannot enter the arena more than 15 minutes prior to the start of their ice time.
• Players and parents must exit the arena within 15 minutes after the end of their ice time.
• A maximum of 1 parent/guardian can accompany a player to a practice or game. This will ensure that the maximum of 50 people permitted within an indoor location is not exceeded.
• Parents and players cannot congregate in the lobby, they must be in the dressing rooms or in the stands. Physical distancing of 2m (6ft) must be maintained in the stands.
• Due to the physical distancing requirements between coaches and players, anyone who registers a player who cannot skate independently will be required to go the ice to assist their child. This must be indicated on the registration form and have a separate email sent to our registrar at
[email protected] in advance of September 1st so that this information is known prior to creation of the player bubbles. Information will then be shared detailing what courses/specifics are required to help on the ice.
Registration, Volunteer & Fundraising Details:
• Payment of the first half registration fees MUST be received via entransfer or cheque by September 1, 2020. NO EXCEPTIONS. Registrations received after September 1st will automatically be put on a waiting list due to the bubbling requirements.
• The start of the season is dependent of when the ice goes in, but at this time we are anticipating starting to get kids back on the ice around the September 18th weekend.
• At this time we are only requiring payment to confirm player registration. On the date of the players first ice time each player will be required to bring the following documents to be allowed on the ice (all of these documents will be posted on the website and can be found below).
• Completed registration form
(Revised_Covid_Registration_Form_2020_-_2021_Season.pdf)
• Medical form
(hockey_canada_medical_information_sheet.pdf)
• Rowan’s Law form
(rowans_law_form_OMHA.pdf)
• Volunteer cheque #1
• Understanding of physical distancing and covid related procedures form
• Copy of birth certificate (if new to LSMHA)
• Due to the current uncertainties and safety precautions we will not be collecting fundraising cheques this season.
• The first registration payment is only the fee per player until January 1, 2021. The second half registration fees and volunteer cheque will be collected in late December/early January.
• We are working to determine the second half registration fees as soon as possible but please keep in mind that this season and while in stage 3 families will not have the added costs of fundraising, gate fees, tournament fees, extensive travel to away games, etc.
As the LSMHA Board of Directors we are working with requirements of the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) and Lambton Shores to make the return to hockey play as safe and seamless as possible, while making decisions that best fit the majority of players with in our association.
We understand that this is a time of uncertainty for many, and that there will be lots of questions related to how the hockey season will progress. Please ensure you check the website regularly as we will be using this as our main method to communicate important information to the families within our association. Also, please keep in mind that these requirements and guidelines may change in the coming weeks based on guidelines brought forward by OHF, Lambton Shores or the Lambton Health Unit.
If you have any additional questions please feel free to reach out to boards executive via our contacts listed on the website.
Looking forward to a great season,
Lambton Shores Minor Hockey Board of Directors
Revised_Covid_Registration_Form_2020_-_2021_Season.pdf
hockey_canada_medical_information_sheet.pdf
rowans_law_form_OMHA.pdf