Today, we received further updates from the State of Minnesota as to what will be allowed upon the return of youth, high school and adult sports on January 4. Included in the update was the announcement that games at all levels may begin starting on January 14.

Included in the announcement are the following announcement mandates from the state:

• Cloth face coverings will be required for all participants during all organized sport activities. Official MDH guidance on the type of face coverings permitted is available here and additional guidance face covering use in sports from the American Academy of Pediatrics can be found here.
• No spectators will be allowed at practices, with the exceptions of age (Mite/8U players and younger), medical condition and Disabled Hockey groups. Participants in these groups may have a maximum of one parent, guardian or support person.
• Pod sizes for practices are limited to 25 participants per pod, including coaches, for indoor and outdoor activities. There is a limit of two pods per session.

Minnesota Hockey today announced its Phase 4 Return to Play Rules & Guidelines for Phase 4, which will guide the initial return to hockey after a six-week pause, beginning on Monday, January 4.

Phase 4 implements the requirements for organized sports released today by the State of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Health, as well as the COVID-19 Rules approved by the Minnesota Hockey Board of Directors at its Special Meeting on December 13.

Minnesota Hockey is planning to implement Phase 5 of its Return to Play Rules and Guidelines when games begin on January 14. Details on Phase 5 will be released upon further guidance being released by the State of Minnesota.

• MN Hockey Return to Play Guidelines
• MDH Youth Sports Guidelines
• MN Hockey COVID-19 Information

Key Guidelines

• Per the state mandate, cloth face coverings (masks) must be worn by everyone inside an arena at all times. This includes participants during on-ice practice and game play.
• No locker rooms
• No bags, except for goalies
• No spectators, except for ONE parent for Mite/U8 players and under
• All players and officials MUST come fully dressed except for gloves, helmet, and skates. Goalies must come half dressed
• No one in the rink 10 minutes prior and must be out 10 minutes post
• No ice resurfacing during games for remainder of season
• No Dryland

The complete Phase 4 Return to Play Rules & Guidelines document is available here, and the latest version of our Guidelines for Managing Positive Cases is available here.

Minnesota Hockey would like to thank all of its members for your increased diligence and dedication to best practices to limit the spread of COVID-19 over the past several weeks. As we eagerly anticipate our return to the ice and competition in 2021, we know those efforts will continue to play a key role in our ability to finish the 2020-21 season on a high note while keeping players as safe as possible.

As far as the requirement of face masks on the ice for all participants (players and coaches) we understand the frustration by many of our parents.  To clarify what we know as of today from MDH and MN Hockey;

“ALL participants are required to wear cloth face coverings during all organized sport activities.  Clear guards of all types are no longer acceptable under new MDH guidelines.  It has to be a cloth face covering on the individual (i.e. ear loop mask, neck gator, etc.) or CCM Game ON Mask (this is the only APPROVED cage fixed mask).  MN Hockey is to produce a complete list “soon” but as of now this is the guidance we have.”

While we (CGHA) understand your frustration as it has been more than a challenging a difficult year for everyone including youth sports. We would like to remind you that CGHA is a 100% volunteer-based organization of parents, coaches, and board members all giving of their free time and more than ever this year to help navigate return to play. None of us claim to be doctors nor will dispute frustrations expressed. What we have to do is follow guidelines outlined in order to allow our players to return to play.

If an individual (Player, Coach, and/or Volunteer) has a medical exception for not wearing a mask District 8 and Minnesota Hockey following Minnesota Department of Health’s guidelines are ONLY recognizing a valid verifiable doctor note obtained within the last year (i.e., 2020-2021) as proof of exemption. If you and/or your player has a valid exemption you must complete form below. 

Note: Until form is complete and current doctors note is provided individual MUST comply with all current guidelines (i.e. wear a mask) or refrain from team activities until a proper doctor note is obtained.