Dear LMHA Families,

We hope everyone is having an enjoyable summer!

The LMHA Executive is happy to announce the framework to return to hockey.

Due to the ongoing restrictions related to COVID-19, traditional hockey; including sort-outs, team formation, and league play is not possible at this time.  As a result, the LMHA program will focus primarily on skill development until a return to normal hockey activities is permitted by the Province and Hockey Canada/HEO.

DEVELOPMENT PHASE 1 – WHAT TO EXPECT

LMHA will divide registered players into groupings using the following parameters as a guideline:

  • The executive will ensure teams within bubbles are created evenly, based on the previous year’s evaluations.
  • Observations will be made by division level convenors and coaches. As needed

Ice times will then be provided to each grouping to permit practice and/or scrimmage play within the age group “bubble”.  In light of the above, the LMHA Development Phase programming with run as follows for each level:

U7 (IP)

  • 10 weeks in duration – commencing on or around October 15th and concluding around December 18th.
  • Tentatively one 50-minute ice time per week will be provided
  • Ice times will be skill-based sessions.

U9 (Novice) to U15 (Bantam)

  • 12 weeks in duration – commencing on or around October 1st and concluding around December 18th.
  • Tentatively two 50-minute ice times per week will be provided
  • Ice times will be skill-based sessions with scrimmages added after the first few sessions.

U18 (Midget)

  • 12 weeks in duration – commencing on or around October 1st and concluding around December 18th
  • One 50-minute ice time per week will be provided (if possible the 50 minute slot will be increased to 80 minutes once ice allocation has been confirmed)
  • Ice times will be scrimmage based sessions only.

REGISTRATION

Fees:

The exact fees for the Development Phase will depend on the total number of players registered and will therefore be communicated following the end of the registration period. These fees will include Hockey Canada/HEO participation fees, insurance and other administrative costs.

LMHA anticipates the fees for Phase 1 to be in the range of $200-$350.

Timing

The payment schedule/process for all fees is as follows:

August 31st Registration deadline
October 1st 50% of remaining fees due
November 1st Remaining fees due

Registration Caps:

Due to the restrictions regarding the number of participants permitted on the ice surface at a time and as a result, in an effort to keep the per player costs at a manageable level, LMHA will need to institute a registration cap system.

Any player that registers after August 21st, 2020 and the bubble for their level is full, will be placed on a waiting list. (Maximum 50)

Refund process:

Given the unique nature of this season, the following standardized refund policy has been put in place across our District (D1):

  • If a player registers and then withdraws after the Development Phase commences, but before October 31st: a 25% refund of the total fee will be provided.
  • If a player registers and then withdraws after November 1st: no refund will be provided.
  • Should the arenas shut down during Phase 1 etc. refunds will be provided based on the balance of the sessions remaining.
  • All other refund scenarios will be dealt with following LMHA’s standard refund policy.

 

 

OTHER INFORMATION/THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE REGISTERING

The following are some additional considerations which should be weighed when determining whether to register your player for this modified programming:

  • If a player does not register for Phase 1 they will not be eligible for Phase 2.
  • Players must arrive at the arena fully dressed for their session.  Players are permitted to put skates on in the arena (or may arrive wearing skate guards). LMHA plans to identify volunteers to assist with skate tying/removal for each session.
  • Coaches and trainers will be chosen by the executive to ensure there are a proper number of certified bench staff for each bubble.
  • There must be NO intentional contact (at any age level).  Players are expected to keep a proper physical distance (two metres) as much as possible while on the ice. In cases where physical distancing is not being maintained, the coach will stop the drill/scrimmage until the proper distance is regained (e.g. if a player falls into another player, they must immediately separate or play will be stopped).
  • All public health requirements will be followed.  This will include the use of masks and physical distancing measures as required, when entering and exiting the arena (note: masks are not currently required on the ice surface).
  • There will be no referees, scorekeepers or timekeepers permitted during the Development Phase

The LMHA Executive will continue to monitor the situation and will work closely with our District (D1)/Hockey Canada/Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) and our Municipalities to determine any necessary changes for the Development Phase and beyond.

Phase Two, will run from January to March/April and will either be a continuation of the development format of Phase One, or will convert to normal hockey programming if permitted under Provincial, Municipal and Hockey Canada regulations.

Given the current uncertainty around Phase Two activities, LMHA has focused on creating a program, and subsequent registration process and fee structure for the Development Phase activities only.  Information regarding any Phase Two activities will be communicated further into the fall and a separate registration process and fee structure will be implemented at that time.

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