NSU18MHL Pauses Play

news • 2020-11-26

HOCKEY NOVA SCOTIA UPDATE ON NEW RESTRICTIONS TO REDUCE SPREAD OF COVID-19

Earlier today, the provincial government announced new restrictions in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) and across the province that will affect our game.

Out of an abundance of caution, Hockey Nova Scotia has made the decision to enact these new restrictions as of 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25, one day earlier than the province will put them into effect. These restrictions will continue for two weeks until midnight Dec. 9, with a possibility of extension.

Nova Scotians are being asked to avoid travel in and out of western and central HRM (which is defined as HRM from Hubbards to, and including, Porters Lake and the communities up to Elmsdale and Mount Uniacke in Hants County. For boundaries, please visit: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/county-restrictions/).

In western and central HRM, organized sports, recreational, and athletic activities have been paused.

Outside of western and central HRM, sports teams have been restricted to local or regional play only.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR HOCKEY?

Teams within western and central HRM

Today’s announcement means that the following hockey associations will be shut down, beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25, until midnight Dec. 9: Metro East Inferno Female Hockey Association, Metro West Force Female Hockey Association, Halifax Hawks Minor Hockey Association, Dartmouth Whalers Minor Hockey Association, East Hants Minor Hockey Association, Cole Harbour Bel Ayr Minor Hockey Association, Bedford and District Minor Hockey Association, Sackville Minor Hockey Association, Eastern Shore Minor Hockey Association, TASA Minor Hockey Association, and the Chebucto Minor Hockey Association.

Players who live in western and central HRM

Players who live in western and central HRM and play within the associations listed above are not permitted to play while these restrictions are in effect.

We are aware that some players live in western and central HRM but play on teams that are based outside of this designated area. These players are also not permitted to participate in any Hockey Nova Scotia-sanctioned activities (including practices, training sessions, or games with their teams) while these restrictions are in effect.

Players who live outside of western and central HRM

Players living outside of western and central HRM will be allowed to continue to participate in Hockey Nova Scotia-sanctioned activities while these restrictions are in effect. However, there are some exceptions and restrictions.

Players who reside in a health zone and play hockey for a team based in the same health zone will be allowed to continue participating in Hockey Nova Scotia-sanctioned activities within that health zone. For example, a team from the Glace Bay Minor Hockey Association would be permitted to play against a team from the Cape Breton County Minor Hockey Association. A team from the Glace Bay Minor Hockey Association would not be permitted to play against a team from the Pictou County Minor Hockey Association.

However, a player who lives in one health zone but plays with a team based in another health zone would not be permitted to take part in Hockey Nova Scotia-sanctioned activities (including practices, training sessions, or games with their teams) with their team while these restrictions are in effect.

Officials and coaches

These restrictions also apply to officials and coaches.

Officials and coaches who live in western and central HRM will not be permitted to participate in any Hockey Nova Scotia-sanctioned activities while these restrictions are in effect.

Officials and coaches who live outside western and central HRM will be allowed to continue to participate in Hockey Nova Scotia-sanctioned activities while these restrictions are in effect. However, there are some exceptions and restrictions.

Officials and coaches will be permitted to continue participating in Hockey Nova Scotia-sanctioned activities within the health zone in which they reside. For example, an official from the Cape Breton West Minor Hockey Association would be permitted to officiate at a game hosted by the Strait-Richmond Minor Hockey Association.

However, an official or coach who lives in one health zone will not be allowed to coach a team or officiate a game in another health zone.

WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

Hockey Nova Scotia will work with our leagues and scheduling bodies to see how schedules can be revised to operate within the parameters of these new restrictions. We will also provide a breakdown of each health zone’s hockey associations to our members later this week.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we have worked closely with Public Health. We have used the guidelines and advice of Public Health officials to build our return plan. Throughout this process, safety has always been our top priority. We fully support today’s decision.

This is a difficult and challenging time for everyone, but we encourage you to remember that we are all in this together. Please continue to practice proper hygiene and physical distancing and stay home if you are unwell. Respect the Public Health guidelines.

Most importantly, be kind to one another.

We hope to be back playing the game we love across the province as soon as it is safe to do so again.

Yours in Hockey,

Arnie Farrell

President

Hockey Nova Scotia

Amy Walsh

Executive Director

Hockey Nova Scotia

Garreth MacDonald

Communications & Special Events Director

Hockey Nova Scotia