Hi Hockey Families,

We wanted to provide you with our latest update related to the COVID-19 restrictions impacting our rink as well as the Valley Hockey League. We have been monitoring the situation so closely to ensure our kids can keep playing this season, and will provide you these regular updates as we decipher the information and learn what is working and what doesn’t work. We thank everyone for your patience so far and are grateful that everyone is working to come together and get our kids playing during this “new normal”. Below are the latest updates: 

Valley League Update 

Due to the most recent guidelines and restrictions implemented yesterday by the Haverhill Board of Health, the Haverhill Valley Forum will be implementing a temporary No Spectator Policy for all players age Squirt and above. For Mite Age players 1 parent per player is permitted. For both the Flynn Rink and Haverhill Valley Forum there are NO spectators allowed. This policy will be strictly enforced. Each team will be allowed 2 coaches and 2 adult team managers (4 adults total) in the building, to monitor the players and ensure they are social distancing and abiding by all guidelines/protocol.

We will be closely monitoring the Haverhill Board of Health’s guidelines and re-evaluating the spectator policy on a weekly basis. Please understand that our goal is to keep all players, coaches and families safe and to enable the children to continue to play hockey. Additionally, please ensure that all players and coaches are strictly adhering to the below State Mandated guidelines.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding! We will be re-evaluating the spectator policy weekly.

Best Regards

Valley HockeyLeague

Players & Coaches:

• Players & Coaches must social distance on bench!!!

• Only 2 coaches on bench for all levels.

• Players must wear face coverings at all times when entering building, in locker room, on the bench

• Coaches must wear face coverings at all times

• Centers and wingers must wear face covering during faceoffs

• Venues where there are 2 rows, players must evenly divide between front and back benches.

• Venues where extended benches are provided, 4-6 players must use extended area depending on total number of players.

• May not arrive more than 15 minutes prior to faceoff and must leave 15 minutes after end of game

• May not linger around locker room area, or stay to watch games before or after

• All players must remain in locker room or skate tying area until the buzzer sounds for them to take the ice for warmups.

• No body checking

• Only 1 player allowed at a time in penalty box

Locker Rooms & Untying Areas:

• Each team is assigned 2 locker rooms before each practice or game – Players must evenly divide among 2 rooms!
 

• Once dressed players must take their bags to the designated area – WHICH IS LISTED ON THE LOCKER ROOM DOOR (Chairs or Bleachers)

• Please move to the appropriate area listed on locker room the door, if the signage says move to the chairs along wall do not move to the bleachers or vice versa

o If the first practice/game of the day moves to the wrong area the entire day is now off schedule and chaos ensues.

• Coaches please ensure that your players are following the proper plan and guidelines.

• Showers are closed

Burbank Ice Arena Updates:

There have been some updates made in regards to locker rooms and where players/ coaches can congregate prior to ice time.

1. Players and coaches must stay in the locker room with a mask on until the zamboni is off the ice.
2. Players must sit on the marked X in the locker room. Due to state guidelines, there cannot be more than 14 people in a locker room.
3. Either parent/guardian or player upon exiting the locker room needs to take all their belongings to the bleacher area. If practicing down the far end (scoreboard end), they must take their belongings all the way down for easier exit from the rink.

Friday Night Skills:

1. Teams that practice the 1st hour will use the locker rooms, keep their belongings in the locker room for the duration of the skate. When finished they will leave out the front of the building.
2. Teams that practice the 2nd hour will space out on the bleachers. You can enter 20 minutes before your session to try and limit the amount of people passing by each other near the front entrance. If you are one of the first few families to show up, please walk all the way down to the scoreboard side of the bleachers so others do not have to walk past you to get ready. When finished, the 2nd hour group will exit out the back of the building.
3. Teams that practice the 3rd hour will use the locker rooms same as hour one. Keep belongings in locker rooms and exit out the front of the building.

When putting on skates and helmets, please utilize the first few rows, not just the bottom few rows, to maintain distancing.

With games starting this weekend, a reminder that every coach and player needs to wear a mask or gaiter on the bench, and that the "center" must wear a face covering at every face-off.

Thanks again for helping make this season a success.