The OMHA is preparing to move into Stage 3B of Return to Hockey.
Hopefully this article answers some questions you may have about the 2020-2021 hockey season.
In order for the kids to get back onto ice, the OAAA is required to develop a plan that will then be approved by the OMHA, Municipality of Clarington and the Region of Durham Public Health Unit. This is a large task for your OAAA board but we are prioritizing it so we can get back on the ice as soon as possible.
The OHF have released their framework, and the OMHA have approved it. We are currently in Stage 3A, moving to Stage 3B on September 1st.
Here are the highlights of the information we have at this point:
- There will be no leagues at any level, and teams will play in small bubbles of tiered skill level
- Teams will consist of 9 players,1 goalie and will play in a bubble of up to 5 teams (same skill level)
- Bubbles will be with teams from within our Public Health Unit (Durham Region Public Health)
- Game play will consist of 3 on 3, 4 on 4 structure, with rules that focus on removing deliberate and prolonged contact. Referees will be used, and score kept
- Game time structure based on a 50-minute ice slot • 5 min warm up • 2 x 22 min period run time • 1 min intermission between 1st and 2nd period
- Players that played AAA or AA elsewhere last season, have the option to stay with their 2019-2020 Association, or back to their home centre
- No new moves allowed, unless you have moved into the Orono hockey boundary
- Kids will continue to have practices and games
- No tournaments/exhibition games, no rep or tryouts
- New Arena protocols, health screening/tracking will have to be followed
Teams
- Teams will consist of 9 players,1 goalie and will play in a bubble of up to 5 teams
- The bubble could consist of other Orono teams, as well as teams from within our Public Health Unit (Durham Region Health). This will depend on numbers in each division. Other centres we may partner with include Newcastle, Clarington Thunder and the Durham Crusaders
- Teams may be tiered based on skill level (ie. Tier 1 could be kids who played rep last season, Tier 2 house league last year, etc), and their bubble would consist of teams with same skill level. This will depend on the number of players registered. It is also possible that the previous rep kids will be mixed in equally with the house league kids to make even strength teams.
Rep Hockey
- No Rep league, no tryouts
- Players have the option to stay with their 2019-2020 team, or back to home center
- If they chose to stay with 2019-2020 Association, they just need to register directly with them. No need for a release from the OAAA
- No new moves allowed, unless you have moved into Orono hockey boundary
Registration
- Registration is closed. Some spaces may be available in some divisions. You should email our registration team at [email protected] if you want to register a child now
- Registration fees are not being collected now but that is likely to change as we move into Stage 3B. At that time, installment plans can be arranged
- Ice costs for the OAAA will increase, due to accommodating smaller teams/more teams, along with additional operational expenses. Please keep this in mind.
- Registration fees will stay the same as previously communicated
Orono Arena
- New Arena protocols, health screening/tracking will be followed
- Current guidelines include no dressing rooms, temperature check at door & contact tracing, but this will change as the Arena confirms guidelines, and movement through phases
- Spectators guidelines will be mandated through Arena protocols. As of this update, spectators will not be permitted. We will update as we receive updates.