A Quick Update, News (Port Stanley Minor Hockey)

In general, the arena entrance process has been going well.  A few tips to ensure a smooth entrance experience;

• Arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled ice time – the time on the ice schedule is when you should be talking the ice, not arriving at the arena. 
• Arrive with your base layer on, come in and have your screening and waiver paperwork checked and temperature verified right after you arrive, then put on other equipment while you wait
• All participants living at the same address can be included on one form per ice time, if the participant is under 18, their form must be signed by a parent or guardian – please do not forget your phone number!
• Enter wearing a mask as soon as the doors are opened, put on your skates and helmet in the dressing room and go straight to the ice.  Do not forget neck and mouth guards, they are required for all games and practices. 
• At the end of the session, leave the ice, remove your skates and helmet in the dressing room and exit the side door as directed.
• The arena staff will clean the ice, check the dressing room for players, if it is empty the door will be opened.  If there are players still in the room the opening of the door is delayed.  Please do not dawdle and impact other teams. 

NOTE:

Being able to fully dress in 10 minutes does not exempt you from only having to put on skates and helmets in the dressing room.  All players should have all other equipment on when they enter the arena (goalies can put on pads in the dressing room).    

Similarly, at the end of the session being able to fully undress in 10 minutes does not exempt you from the requirement to leave the dressing room once your skates and helmet have been removed.  
I know it can be cold and uncomfortable dressing/undressing outside, but please do not try to come up with  workarounds – these rules are not negotiable and are in place to ensure we can all continue to play.    

I have received a few calls from coaches regarding players not feeling well and thought it might be valuable to provide you all with more specific direction.  If you or anyone in your household exhibits COVID like symptoms;

·   Stay away from the arena.

·   Email [email protected] with the subject Player Name – COVID Symptoms

·   The COVID team will email your coach stating simply that the player will not be at practice.  If they have siblings we will also email the other coaches. 

·   Call the COVID assessment center at 519-631-2020 x 6210 to book a COVID test (NOTE you can do this without seeing a physician). This centre only does swabs, if you think your child needs a medical assessment, contact a doctor or nurse practitioner, or if their symptoms are severe go to the ER.

·  After having a negative test AND when symptoms have been resolved for 24 hours, email [email protected] with the subject Player Name – Negative COVID test with a copy of the negative test result.  The COVID Team will email your coach advising that you will attend the next schedule ice time. 

·   If someone tests positive, they will be contacted directly by public health who will provide further direction (ie if teams need to quarantine, be tested…)

I have received many questions about who counts as a fan vs bench staff when we get to games so I have clarified below;

20 participants

4 coaches (Only 2 per team are permitted on the bench (Trainer and Head Coach) any other team staff present are counted as fans)

20 fans (1 parent/guardian per participant) 

2 referees

2 arena staff

1 timekeeper

To avoid questions of equity/fairness, if a player doesn’t have a parent/guardian attend, your spouse, or other children cannot be substituted in their place. 

Our “Team Bubbles” are firming up and many ages have started scrimmaging.  Belmont is on the ice this week and West Lorne is firming up their plans.  Like us, they will both have some minor player adjustments, then firm up teams so that we can establish our “League Bubbles” and begin scheduling games. 

The ice schedule has been updated for the next several weeks, but will require another adjustment to accommodate game schedules. 

Skills with Hockey Detail will start Monday Oct 5 and Wednesday Oct 7 will run for 10 weeks (Monday group skips Thanksgiving).  Mark Ellis and his team are very excited that we have reduced the number of participants in each session and grouped similar skilled players together.  This will allow them to provide a more focused delivery and it is hoped we will see an even greater return on our investment.  One of the key features of the Hockey Detail program is that the instructors want, even encourage coaches to be involved, learn their techniques and drills and incorporate them into their own practices.  However, due ice capacity restrictions the 2 Hockey Detail instructors will count as 2 of the 5 coaches we are permitted on the ice at a time.  Please work with the team you are sharing your skills time with to ensure you take maximum advantage of this unique opportunity. 

There will not be an onsite “Spirit Wear” day anytime soon, but if you would like to try on items and place an order you can visit Herm’s during store operating hours.  I have attached a link to the catalog and price list.    

https://herms-sports.ca/collections/port-stanley-minor-hockey

Similarly, team photos have been put on hold for now, but we know these are an important memento and will try to schedule them later this season. 

Thank-you for your patience, understanding and compliance with the rules.  Adherence to them will be what allows us to continue to play despite the concerning increase in cases.  As always, if you have any questions, concerns or comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out.    

Alex Russell

President, PSMHA

[email protected]

226-377-1746