Hockey Alberta Update on Hockey Canada Insurance – Wind Ups & Team Parties *Updated March 17, 2020 5:18 pm MDT

From Hockey Alberta: “We’ve had some questions on team wind ups and insurance coverage so we wanted to share this info with you guys as you may be asked by the MHAs and/or parents or teams.

The Hockey Canada Insurance Program is in place to cover Hockey Canada/Member participants and volunteers during Hockey Canada sanctioned hockey programming. With the cancelling of the 2019‐2020 hockey season it is important to note that there is no coverage in place for any hockey related activity hosted after March 12th, 2020. Hockey Canada realizes that some administration of the game will continue, however, only certain coverages will apply to these and they have certain restrictions that apply. Please contact your Member prior to moving ahead with any administrative related activity.

Additionally, it is important for participants to be aware that if they do hockey activity outside of Hockey Canada/Member sanctioned programming such as private spring hockey, private hockey camps or private leagues THEY ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE HOCKEY CANADA INSURANCE PROGRAM.

Hockey Canada thanks all Members, Minor Hockey Associations, parents, players and all those involved with hockey for your dedication to the game and for your understanding as we take the necessary steps to assist in keeping all of us healthy and safe.”

INFORMATION BULLETIN FROM HOCKEY CALGARY *Updated March 13, 2020 1:12 pm MDT

“As you are aware Hockey Canada officially cancelled the 2019-20 playing season until further notice effective March 13, 2020. From the perspective of Hockey Calgary, the health and safety of our players, coaches, referees, spectators, and other members is our utmost priority. While we are disappointed with the season coming to a sudden end, we understand the reasons why and will support all Albertans in ensuring this outbreak does not spread any further.

Moving forward some key items to be aware of are as follows:

  • Hockey Calgary scheduled playoffs will NOT be restarting for the 19/20 season. At this point plans are to open for 20/21 as per usual, more information to follow.
  • Association operated spring programs (development & 3 on 3) are NOT permitted to run, as per the Hockey Canada directive they are cancelled until further notice.
  • Ice Cost reimbursement – it appears the city will reimburse for ice cancellation, all private facilities are reviewing their policies and making decisions as quickly as they can. More information will follow in coming days.
  • Tournament Costs – All tournaments are independently run by the tournament organizers, teams will need to reach out to organizers to discuss reimbursement. The assumption is that if the ice costs are reimbursed then so to will the teams, likely with a small fee for any expenses incurred for prizing and preparation costs.
  • Year End Parties – we request that these be cancelled, we cannot stop social gatherings, but based information from Alberta Health Services they should not continue under the umbrella of a hockey event. No post season skates under Association branding is permitted at all.
  • Playoff Champions – no decision on whether to declare a playoff Champion has been made, and we will review in the coming week.

Thank you for your support and understanding as we navigate this unprecedented decision.”

Hockey Canada Statement in Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) *Updated March 12, 2020 7:15 pm MDT

“After much consultation with the Hockey Canada membership, our chief medical officer and public health officials, the Hockey Canada Board of Directors has made the decision to cancel all Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities, including our national championships, until further notice, effective Friday, March 13, 2020.”

Hockey Canada has Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities include all Hockey Alberta-sanctioned activities. This means that all league games, playoffs, practices, camps and Provincial, Regional and National Championships are cancelled at the Minor, Female, Junior, Senior and Sledge levels.

INFORMATION BULLETIN FROM HOCKEY CALGARY: *Updated March 12. 2020 11:00am MDT

In the last 24 hours there has been a lot of decisions made with regards to the operation of sports leagues across the country. Hockey Calgary and our Board of Directors is taking this very seriously, the plan is to provide the members a daily update on the status of our program and whether or not games will continue as per the schedule.

At this point we are closely watching what is going on in Alberta and taking direction from the governing bodies of Hockey Canada and Hockey Alberta, along with Alberta Health.

Facts:

  • Alberta Health still assesses the risk as very low
  • 19 Reported cases in Alberta as of March 12 – 11:00 AM
    • https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page16944.aspx
  • -Schools remain open in Calgary and area
  • HC events are not classified as ‘Mass Gatherings’, less than 1000 people
  • Hockey Canada and Hockey Alberta have not directed Hockey Calgary to shut down events
  • All city facilities remain open with extra pre-cautions on cleanliness being takeN
    • https://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/cema/Pages/Response-to-Coronavirus.aspx
    • https://www.winsport.ca/aboutwinsportcanada/policies/exclusionofliability.cfm#covid19

Based on this information please note the following:

  1. Thursday March 12, 2020: Hockey Calgary Playoff Games will proceed as scheduled, updates for future games will be provided on a daily basis.
  2. Timbit Jamboree: March 14, 2020: Due to exceeding the threshold of a ‘Mass Gathering’, this event is being cancelled out of an abundance of caution.
  3. Tournaments:
    • At this point tournaments are permitteD
    • Hockey Calgary strongly suggests that extra activities other than game play be eliminated.

Everyone is reminded about the importance of practicing proper hygiene to help reduce the risk of infection or spreading infection to others. For hockey teams and their members, Hockey Canada recommends the following measures:

  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Make soap and/or hand sanitizer available in dressing rooms and hotels.
  • Avoid contact with sick people, including avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.
  • The Hockey Canada Safety Program recommends the following protocol as it relates to the use of water bottles:
    • Good team hygiene includes ensuring all players and staff have their own water bottles to prevent the transmission of viruses and bacteria.
    • Bottles should be labelled and washed after each practice or game.
    • It is further recommended that officials avoid the practice of drinking from the goaltender’s water bottle. If officials require water during a game, we suggest they have their own water bottle at the penalty bench.
  • There should not be sharing of water bottles in the penalty box.
  • Avoid raw or undercooked animal products if having team meals, or if eating while travelling to events/tournaments.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. Practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with
  • disposable tissues or clothing, wash hands).
  • Advise players to try and not touch their own mouths or nose when in the hockey environment to reduce the chance of them passing an infection on to themselves.
  • Monitor illness and injury in all teams. Parents are urged to keep their children away from the hockey environment if they are showing any signs of infectious disease or virus.
  • Team members should be encouraged to self-report if they feel ill.
  • Fist bump with hockey gloves on, instead of shaking hands.
  • Monitor travel restrictions on the Government of Canada Travel Advisory website, which can be found at https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories

As circumstances evolve or change, Hockey Calgary will issue new Alerts to provide our Members and the hockey community in Calgary with all required information. Please note changes are happening at a rapid pace, if we receive different direction from Alberta Health Services or the governing bodies of Hockey Canada and Hockey Alberta in the near future we may adjust our current plans.

Regards,

Kevin Kobelka
Executive Director, Hockey Calgary

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