All TAMHA parents/guardians are REQUIRED read the following article before the 2020-2021 season starts.
TAMHA proposes to follow our objectives and mission statement with necessary provisions for the 2020-2021 season to promote sportsmanship, respect, hockey skill development and above all, FUN. This plan will provide a safe environment and in accordance with the guidance provided by federal and provincial governments, our local municipality, our local public health unit, OMHA, OHF and Hockey Canada.
RETURN TO PRACTICE AND PLAY (OHF STAGE 3)
OHF has developed a number of steps that we will adhere to for Stage 3 in the return to play plan. Stage 3b began September 1st, 2020 with Stages 3c-e to follow if and when available. TAMHA return to play plan will follow 3b preparing for advancing Stages if and when we are able.
TAMHA will begin on-ice programming September 26th with our ice contract with the township starting October 5th, 2020. Following Stage 3b guidelines the following will apply to all players and participants:
A) Before Arrival to the Facility
The bench staff of each team/group of players will have on hand the members registration info including names and phone numbers ahead of each on ice session. The list will be kept in a lock box at the facility.
Parents will be provided with protocols we ask be followed for pre-ice, on-ice, and post-ice routines. We ask the parents discuss this with their children in advance to make this as smooth a transition as possible. A video will be provided of the steps to be taken in the near future.
Every person who plans to enter the arena (50 people maximum at this moment) will be required to complete an OHF screening questionnaire on the day of the skate before arrival. Forms will be available on the TAMHA website. If a participant is unable to attend a scheduled ice session, we ask they notify the bench staff no more than 1-hour prior.
Each screening questionnaire must be filled out completely with the inclusion of contact information (cell phone numbers please) in case of an emergency.
If anyone has answered "yes" to any of the questions, they should advise the bench staff and not attend their scheduled ice session and/or enter the facility.
Anyone exhibiting any COVID symptoms should not attend at the facility.
We ask that ALL players be wearing full equipment except skates and helmets upon arrival. Please keep safety in mind as some of the younger ones are still in car seats. We trust everyone follow their best judgement with the children's safety being our number one priority. The main lobby will be available for putting on skates and helmets with shelving provided at the ice
entrance for hockey bags etc. Again, arena capacity has been set at 50 people so we have organized each group to allow for one parent to help with tying up skates and assisting to the ice area.
B) At the Facility (arena)
All participants may enter the facility no more than 15 minutes before the scheduled ice time. Physical distancing must be maintained while waiting to enter and while inside the facility (arena).
As previously indicated, the screening questionnaire will need to be provided to the bench staff prior to entering the building. Anyone who does not do so will not be permitted to enter the facility or therefore be involved in that session.
Bench staff will maintain a contract tracing chart for all participants and anyone entering the facility for each ice session.
If any participant exhibits COVID symptoms, has a confirmed positive case of COVID and/or has come into contact with anyone exhibiting symptoms or who has been diagnosed, the participant (including all players, bench staff, volunteers and spectators) must promptly contact the bench staff/team trainer, who will report this to the designated TAMHA safety contact/executive. Any person exhibiting symptoms or who has had contact as described above is encouraged to go for testing. The TAMHA safety contact/executive will report any suspected exposure by a person who was at the facility or any confirmed positive test results to other members of the person’s group/team, Zorra Township, the public health unit and OMHA as required and the player will not be able to attend group/team activities for at least 14 days.
Face coverings which cover the nose, mouth and chin are to be worn by everyone, including participants, bench staff, spectators and volunteers, at all times when entering the Facility/Arena. Participants going onto the ice can remove their face covering once they are ready to put on their helmet where shelving has been added. It is recommended each player has a Ziploc bag or something to place their masks in. At no point before this should a participant not be wearing a face covering.
Designated entrances and exits to the facility, and directional flow within the facility, must be used as required and will be enforced. Participants are to follow the directional signage to the dressing rooms and ice area. The entrance to be used going forward the main entrance where skates and helmets will be put on in the lobby. Upon departing the ice, the participants will be able to grab their hockey bags and enter designated dressing rooms with 15 minutes to exit the facility. There will be a maximum of ten (10) participants (parents to assist with skate removal) plus two bench staff in a dressing room at one time. Players will stay in the lobby until the ice is ready and then they may proceed as a group onto the ice through the designated ice entry point in a physically distant format. Participants must keep all equipment, including gloves and helmets, on and properly secured from the time they leave the lobby until they depart the ice to the dressing room. No sharing of sticks or other equipment is permitted. Each participant will bring their own clearly labelled and filled water bottle to the facility, and may only use their own bottle. Bottles will be spaced out on the boards/bench. The washrooms will be off limits for the first 15 minutes the players are on the ice.
At least two bench staff will be present in all dressing rooms while players are present, and for all on-ice activity. A trainer must be present for each on-ice session for each group/team. The trainer will use hand sanitizer and wear gloves and a mask at all times while attending to an injured or ill participant. No more than four people may be on a bench at one time, and they must maintain physical distancing. Once back in the dressing room, participants may remove their helmets and must then immediately put face coverings back on. Face coverings must continue to be worn until they exit the facility. Players will remove skates, helmets and gloves in the dressing rooms only after completion of ice session, quickly gather their things and exit without showering.
Each bench staff will be responsible for any on-ice equipment as the upstairs storage will be off limits. Pucks, pylons and other training tools will be sanitized by bench staff after each on-ice session. Participants should sanitize their own equipment, jerseys, socks, water bottles, etc. after each ice session. Players will be provided with jersey's and socks and will be responsible for them throughout the season. It is imperative they remember to bring them for each on-ice session as no extras will be provided/available.
If any participant must cough or sneeze in the facility, they must do so by covering their mouth/nose with their arm or elbow, and not into their hand. No spitting will be permitted in the facility, including on the ice. Hand washing and/or hand sanitizer use is required before entering and before exiting the facility. All participants are expected to practice good hand hygiene, including sanitization upon arrival, after removing gloves and washing hands with soap and water following the use of the toilet/urinal. Greeting and congratulatory contact such as high fives/handshakes/fist bumps/hugs are discouraged.
A maximum of one spectator per player will be permitted to remain in the facility, although people are discouraged from attending to watch on-ice activities unless necessary, although facility capacity is 50 at this time. Any person who wishes to stay at the facility must present a current, complete, accurate and acceptable screening form, including the person’s contact information, to the bench staff/team trainer before each entry to the facility and will comply with all rules and guidelines for spectators entering the facility. Any such person may enter the facility no more than 15 minutes and no less than 5 minutes prior to the scheduled ice session, and must leave the facility no later than 5 minutes after the completion of the ice session. All spectators must comply with the facility guidelines and follow all directions at all times. Spectators may clap but may not whistle, yell, shout or cheer. No parent/guardian/spectator may open any door to the ice surface or verbally communicate with any participant on the ice. This will also be discretionary, as we have a large group in the younger ages (U5-U7).
C) General
1. A maximum of 25 registered players (the word players as used herein includes goalies unless otherwise specified) and up to 5 approved and certified bench staff or skills development instructors will be permitted on each ice session as per Zorra Township guidelines.
2. Registered players in each age group U8, U9, U11 and, U15 will be divided into groups of up to 20-25 players prior to the first skate.
3. Each group has been allotted 2 ice sessions for the season. The start will be development sessions with the intent to teach the game of hockey in a fun safe manner while adhering to new protocols. The plan being for future games with other associations as the year progresses within out Public Health Unit.
4. Intentional physical contact is not permitted. Although, it is understood that accidental contact may inevitably happen physical distancing is required and bench staff will stop play in order to allow for physical distancing to resume.
5. It is currently in the planning phase, when and if able, to start "league" play as we progress to no more than 50 players allowed. For example: 5 teams of 10 for a total of 50. Bench staff is not included in this number.
D) Safety
If your child tests positive for COVID-19, you must keep your child and entire family home and out of the hockey environment until the player is cleared. We have implemented a COVID co-ordinator - Nick Timmers (executive member, trainer, and trainer co-ordinator).It is also important to communicate with your physician and public health authority, ensuring you follow the steps identified. If a parent or family member tests positive for COVID-19, the player and their family will need to stay out of the hockey environment. They should contact their physician and public health authority for instructions. The player will need a note from their physician or public health authority to return to play. If someone on your child’s team tests positive, public health authority guidelines will determine contact tracing and isolation requirements. It is possible, therefore, that one diagnosis on a team could lead to that team being required to pause hockey activities until the public health authority determines it is safe to return.
On Ice Etiquette:
Players are to enter and exit the ice at the designated entry points. Once on the ice, coaches and participants are to partake in physically distant activities. There are to be no more than four (5) users on each player’s bench at one time.
Game Play Structure All game play must comply with rules of the Public Health Unit, the facility and OMHA. Accordingly, the following are guidelines for game play structure:
1. Game play does allow for players to engage within the 2-metre physical distancing as long as the rules of play, modified for no physical contact are complied with.
2. When participants are not engaged in on-ice activity they must maintain their physical distance. Dressing rooms will have limited numbers of players (currently 10) and physical distancing requirements. Benches will require physical distancing of players (no more than 5 players per bench at present.
3. Bench staff must wear masks/face coverings at all times when on the bench. Only two bench staff are permitted on the bench at one time.
4. OHF recommends consideration of 4 on 4 cross ice hockey for U9 and below using middle zone as “benches” (the U6, U7, U8 and U9 Pathways)
5. OHF suggests 3 on 3 cross ice hockey for U11, middle zone as “benches”.
6. OHF suggests 4 on 4 full ice using benches with physical distancing (two lines) for U15.
Game Play Rules (per OHF SECTION 14, Appendix F):
Rules for 3 on 3 and 4 on 4 - U15 (if full ice) Game Play:
• 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.
• A player that loses a glove must immediately retrieve the glove or leave the ice.
Line Changes
• Teams will change on the fly.
Goals
• Goals result in a change of possession. The team that scores the goal must allow the other team to advance the puck past center ice before applying pressure. If the puck has not advanced past center ice within 10 seconds of the whistle the official will signal the team that scored to proceed with the attack.
Offsides
• Offsides will result in a change of possession. The team that was called for offside must exit their attacking zone (all players simultaneously in neutral zone) before re-entering their attacking zone and applying pressure.
Penalties
• Penalty shots will be awarded for penalties as per:
• 2 min penalties = 1 penalty shot
• 4+ min penalties = 2 penalty shots
• All major penalties will result in 2 penalty shots and an ejection from the game
• Intentional body contact or body checking = 2 penalty shots and may result in removal from the game at the discretion of the referee
Intentionally entering the goaltender's crease = 1 penalty shot
• Co-incidental penalties will result in NO penalty shot being awarded
• The penalty shot must be taken by the individual the infraction was committed against unless they are unable to do so because of injury
• The time clock will continue to run during a penalty shot. If the buzzer sounds while the penalty shot is in process, the shot will be allowed to be completed and then the player change will occur.
• If a delayed penalty is called near the end of the game and the clock runs out, and where the result of the penalty shot(s) could change the outcome of the game, the penalty shot(s) will be taken. If the outcome of the penalty shot(s) would have no impact on the outcome of the game, the penalty shot(s) will not be taken. Penalty Shot Procedure
• When a penalty is called, the clock will not stop (all divisions)
• Penalty shot must be taken by the player infracted upon (if applicable) and all players on the ice must remain there until the shot is taken
• The player taking the penalty shot will line up at center ice
• All other players from both teams will line up by the far blue line
• All players will start from a standing position
• Referee will blow the whistle to start play
• All players may begin skating on the whistle; players on the non-penalized team may “chase” the player taking the shot and can prevent it if able to do so.
• Penalties can still be called on penalty shots.
• Should the player miss the penalty shot, play will continue.
• If a goal is scored, the team that scores the goal must allow the other team to advance the puck past center ice before applying pressure. If the puck has not proceeded past the hashmarks within 10 seconds of the whistle the official will signal the attacking team to proceed with the attack.
Roster
• 9 players plus 1 goaltender (per team)
• Both teams must start the game with a minimum of 5 players plus 1 goaltender.
Game Play/Rules (per OHF for cross ice 3 on 3 and 4 on 4 for U7 to U11)
• Game time structure based on a 50-minute ice rental
• 5 min warm up
• 2 x 21 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.
• A player that loses a glove must immediately retrieve the glove or leave the ice. Line Changes
• 1.5 min shifts (timekeeper will sound the horn to notify shift change).
Goals
• Goals result in a change of possession. The attacking team must retreat and allow the team that was scored against the opportunity to play the puck. If this does not occur, the official may blow their whistle and signal the opposing team to provide more space.
Goaltender Freezes the Puck
• When the goaltender freezes the puck, the attacking team must retreat and allow the team that froze the puck the opportunity to play the puck. If this does not occur, the official may blow their whistle and signal the opposing team to provide more space.
Icing
• There is no icing in cross-ice hockey.
Offside
• There are no offsides in cross-ice hockey.
Penalties
• Penalties will be handled in the same manner as modified ice programming per the Hockey Canada Player Pathways. Intentional body contact or body checking may result in removal from the game at the discretion of the referee.
Roster
• 9 players plus 1 goaltender (per team)
• Both teams must start the game with a minimum of 5 players plus 1 goaltender.