Eagles families,
hockey is (once again) returning! Starting this Monday, January 31st at
6:00AM, we will be able to hit the ice again with our complete teams as we
prepare for the end of the 2021-22 hockey season. Both league meetings
regarding return to play rules and regulations were just completed, and
although we now have a better picture of the rest of the season moving forward,
the situation is still developing as we approach Monday.
The SCTA (AAA) league will pick up regular season play starting on Thursday, February 3rd with no rescheduling of games that were missed. The regular season will continue until February 20th, and the season standings will be sorted by teams’ winning percentage which will determine the playoff seeding. Playoffs have not significantly changed from previous years, where the teams will be split into two groups and playing home + away games against each team in the respective group. Top 2 from each pool will move on to the OMHA Championships. AAA teams will not be able to participate in tournaments starting February 20th.
The Tri-County Minor Hockey League will not go into the regular season but will come back from the lockdown straight into playoffs; the start date is tentatively Monday, February 7th. Seeding for the playoff groups was determined by winning percentage. The top 2 teams from each pool will advance to the Tri-County Championships that will take place March 25th+26th. Teams will still be able to participate in any tournaments they registered for during this time frame.
Under 9 teams will have their season continue as regularly scheduled. There are no OMHA Championships, only league championships at the SCTA and Tri-County level.
Under Hockey Canada and OHF regulations there is absolutely no game play during March Break (March 11th-18th). Teams are allowed to hold skill development sessions or enter jamborees/tournaments.
As we head back to the arenas, please remember to follow all our COVID-19 protocols and procedures from earlier in the season. A memo from the City of Burlington came out earlier this week and some of the highlights include:
- Proof of vaccination is required for everyone 12 and older entering the facility. Only the enhanced vaccine certificates with the QR code will be accepted.
- Parents and spectators are expected to fill out a COVID-19 screening prior to entry. The City of Burlington’s screening form can be found at: Burlington.ca/screening
- Masks/face coverings must be on prior to entering the facility and must be worn in all indoor locations.
- Masks must be worn by all skaters until they are ready to put their helmet on
- All arenas will have clearly marked entrances and exits and will have a traffic flow pattern labelled.
- Players are asked to enter the arena no more than 15 minutes before their scheduled ice time and must leave the arena no more than 10 minutes after their ice time has completed.
- Players are asked to arrive at the arena as fully dressed as possible.
- Washrooms and showers will be available
- Critical that respect is shown to all city employees + security staff
We know all our players have been working hard and staying on outdoor rinks throughout the past few weeks, and we are extremely excited to get back to official Eagles hockey! Please note that schedules can change through the remainder of the hockey season, so continue to check your team’s website for the most up-to-date ice schedule.
President
Dave Armstrong