Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Dr. Michael Stuart, chief medical and safety officer of USA Hockey, discusses the latest issues surrounding COVID-19 and hockey.

https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1110651

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Thursday, June 5, 2020

Early Return On-Ice Activity Samples

USA Hockey, with consultation of coaches and safety advisors, have developed a sample of early return on-ice activity samples.

Learn more here. 

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Thursday, June 4, 2020

USA Hockey announces virtual training for Coaching Education Program; introduction of temporary card allows for flexible option during COVID-19

USA Hockey announced that it will conduct its Level 1-4 coaching certification clinics virtually until it is deemed safe to host large group gatherings. In addition, a new temporary card is being introduced as a flexible option for coaches to maintain their certification if they are unable to attend virtual coaching clinics due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Learn more here. 

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Monday, June 1, 2020

USA Hockey Cancels All Player Development Camps Slated for 2020

USA Hockey announced today it will not hold its typical series of Player Development Camps for boys and girls that take place each summer. For more information, click here.

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Tuesday, May 19, 2020

FACEMASK QUESTIONS

USA Hockey has been asked about the effectiveness of a full clear shield on helmets in mitigation of COVID-19 and also about whether masks should be worn to cover the mouth and nose under helmets while practicing/playing. Click here for information related to both questions.

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Tuesday, May 12, 2020

USA HOCKEY POSTPONES ADVANCED OFFICIATING SYMPOSIUM

USA Hockey announced today that it has postponed the 2020 Advanced Officiating Symposium which was set for July 24-26 at the Providence Marriott in Providence, Rhode Island.

“Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, we felt the best way forward was to postpone the event,” said Matt Leaf, director of officiating education for USA Hockey. “We're excited to be in Providence next year, and we appreciate the partnership we have forged with the Providence Marriott in hosting this event.”

The event has been rescheduled for Aug. 6-8, 2021, at the Providence Marriott. Participants who have already registered will have the option to either transfer their registration to next year's event or receive a full refund. If a refund request is not made, the registration will automatically roll over for the 2021 event.

"This is disappointing to say the least, but at the end of the day, safety is our first priority,” said Dave LaBuda, USA Hockey's national referee-in-chief. "We appreciate the continued enthusiasm of our officiating team to get back to work and look forward to presenting a bigger and better symposium in August of 2021.”

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Monday, May 4, 2020

USA HOCKEY PUBLISHES RETURNING TO THE RINKS FOR ASSOCIATIONS, AFFILIATES AND RINKS

In conjunction with U.S. Ice Rink Association and U.S. Figure Skating, USA Hockey today published Returning to the Rinks. As we together work our way through the COVID-19 pandemic, USA Hockey will continue to provide updates to our associations and Affiliates. These considerations focus on initially returning to the rink for practices/tryouts only.

Local rinks and programs need to follow the guidelines set forth by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well state and local government officials in determining when, and how, it is appropriate to return to the rinks, including requirements or guidelines for physical distancing, size of gatherings or number of persons permitted in a facility, or wearing of masks, etc.

The information in this document is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The knowledge and circumstances around COVID-19 are changing constantly and, as such, USA Hockey makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of this information.

Click here for the full document. 

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Monday, May 4, 2020

USA HOCKEY ANNOUNCES POSTPONEMENT OF LEVEL 5 COACHES SYMPOSIUM

USA Hockey announced today that it has postponed the 2020 Level 5 Coaches Symposium, set for Aug. 20-23 at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center in Duluth, Minnesota.

“While we are disappointed that we had to make this decision, it is in the best interest of everyone involved” said Mark Tabrum, director of coaching education for USA Hockey. “Safety is always our top priority, which is why we felt it was important to push it back a year.”

The event has been rescheduled for Aug. 19-22, 2021, at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center in Duluth, Minnesota. Participants who have already registered will have the option to either transfer their registration fee to next year's event or receive a full refund.

"It's definitely disappointing, but at the end of the day it is the right call," said Mike MacMillan, USA Hockey coach-in-chief. "We want to ensure everyone's safety at our events and this is the best way forward during this time of uncertainty.”

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Tuesday, April 14, 2020

SLED SELECT CAMP CANCELLED; SLED NATIONAL TEAM TRYOUTS POSTPONED

USA Hockey has canceled the 2020 Sled Select Camp, which was set to take place July 5-10, 2020, at the University of Buffalo in Amherst, New York.

All national-level sled hockey team tryouts have been postponed. The date and location as well as additional details regarding tryouts will be released at a later time. This includes tryouts for the National Sled Hockey Team, Women’s Development Sled Hockey Team & Men’s Development Sled Hockey Team.

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Thursday, April 9, 2020

USA HOCKEY ANNUAL CONGRESS TO BE HELD VIRTUALLY

With the safety and well-being of all in mind, the USA Hockey Board of Directors has voted to conduct the 2020 USA Hockey Annual Congress virtually, instead of holding the meeting June 10-13 in Colorado Springs as previously planned.

The regular series of meetings involved with Annual Congress will be conducted virtually over the first two weeks of June, culminating with the Board of Directors meeting on June 13.

Further details for Board members, councils, committees, sections and other affected individuals with be forthcoming in May.

If USA Hockey was paying for your flight/accommodations, those reservations will be canceled and you don’t need to do anything. For those who may have airline or hotel reservations for families/guests who were planning to attend, you will need to handle those reservations as you see fit. 

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Friday, March 20, 2020

USA Hockey announced today the revision of its national player development plans for 2020 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as detailed below.

• USA Hockey has canceled the 2020 Boys Select 15 National Camp (2005 birth year)
• USA Hockey has canceled the 2020 Girls 15 National Camp (2005 birth year)
• USA Hockey has canceled the 2020 Girls 16/17 National Camp (2003/2004 birth years)
• USA Hockey will tentatively conduct the Boys Select 16 (2004 birth year) and 17 (2003 birth year) National Camps and the Girls Under-18 Select National Camp (2003, 2004, 2005 birth years)
  • The Boys Select 17 National Camp is tentatively set for June 24 – July 1, 2020 in Amherst, New York. The U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team will be selected from the camp set to compete in the 2020 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, in August. Player invitations for this camp will be extended by June 1.
  • The Boys Select 16 National Camp is tentatively set for July 7-13, 2020, in Amherst, New York. The U.S. Under-17 Men’s Select Team will be selected from the camp set to compete in the 2020 Five Nations Tournament, in August. Player invitations for this camp will be extended by June 8.
  • The Girls Under-18 Select National Camp is tentatively set for July 15-21, 2020, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Approximately 30 players will be selected from this camp to participate in the 2020 Under-18 National Team Festival, in August. Player invitations for this camp will be extended by June 1.

In addition, USA Hockey strongly recommends the cancellation of all affiliate tryouts, district tryouts, district/multi-district development camps for all birth years for the spring and summer of 2020.

“Our number one priority is the safety of our players, officials, coaches, volunteers and families involved,” said Kevin McLaughlin, assistant executive director of hockey development for USA Hockey. “We estimate roughly 9,000 individuals or families are involved in these activities across the country and with the uncertainty of the coronavirus situation we all face and the logistics involved with these events, the leaders in our organization from across the country felt it was important to make a decision now that had best interests of everyone involved, with safety being at the forefront.”

McLaughlin noted that decision to tentatively hold the Boys Select 16 and 17 National Camps and Girls Under-18 Selection National Camp will continue to be reviewed daily and that invitations to those camps, if they are ultimately held, will come from USA Hockey’s national office, with input from USA Hockey coaches, scouts, district player development representatives and other hockey personnel.

USA Hockey will continue to post updates related to the coronavirus situation at USAHockey.com.

NOTES: In addition to the player development camps listed above, USA Hockey has canceled the National Team Development Program tryout camp.

FAQ -- Revision of Player Development Plans for 2020

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Tuesday, March 17, 2020

USA Hockey continues to guide its members to follow local health and medical professionals, and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization, in making educated decisions during the current coronavirus situation we are all facing.

As was previously announced, USA Hockey has cancelled its National Championships and Disabled Festival. We will continue to use this site to provide updates regarding any disruption of other national-level scheduled events as needed.

There are wide-ranging activities conducted throughout the U.S. at the local level that include USA Hockey members that are not national-level events and are operated by districts, affiliates, local associations or even private operators. The decisions relative to those events are made at the local level and we continue to encourage all involved to engage with local health and medical professionals, and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization, in making educated decisions. 

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Thursday, March 12, 2020

FAQ -- Cancelation of USA Hockey's Nationals, Disabled Festival

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Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Update: 8:20 p.m. MT

USA HOCKEY CANCELS NATIONALS/DISABLED FESTIVAL

USA Hockey announced tonight it has canceled its series of upcoming National Championships, including high school, youth, girls, adult and sled, that were set to begin in various locations across the country on March 26. In addition, the organization also announced it has canceled its Disabled Hockey Festival, which was set to take place over two weekends (March 26-29 and April 2-5) in Pittsburgh, Penn.

“Safety of our participants has always been our top priority and with the current coronavirus situation, our executive committee unanimously decided to cancel these national events,” said Jim Smith, president of USA Hockey. 

“We felt it was important to get the news of the cancellation out immediately,” said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. “We’re sure there will be many questions and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we together work through this unprecedented situation.

“While we're disappointed that we had to make this decision, we celebrate the success of USA Hockey teams across the country this year, as well as the time and effort so many people invested into these signature events. We’re thankful to our national sponsors, tournament directors, volunteers and so many others for their support in making hockey an enjoyable experience for all.”

USA Hockey will continue to provides updates regularly on the coronavirus situation at USAHockey.com.

NOTE: There are games/tournaments played throughout the U.S. at the local level that include USA Hockey members that are not national-level events and are operated by districts, affiliates, local associations or even private operators. The decisions relative to those events are made at the local level. We continue to encourage all involved to engage with local health and medical professionals, and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization, in making educated decisions.

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TO: All Members and Stakeholders Engaged in Hosting USA Hockey National Level Events

FROM: Pat Kelleher, Executive Director, USA Hockey & Jim Smith, President, USA Hockey

SUBJECT: Coronavirus Update

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to evolve, we remain diligent in the daily and indeed hourly review of information with our medical experts and stakeholders as we evaluate the staging of upcoming USA Hockey national level events, including our series of National Championships, the Disabled Festival and Adult Classics.

We encourage you to visit USAHockey.com daily for the most updated information.

The situation continues to change rapidly and we appreciate the patience and understanding of everyone involved. In the end, the safety of all those involved remains our top priority.

It is worth noting that there are many other games/tournaments that may include USA Hockey members that are not national-level events and are operated by districts, affiliates, local associations or even private operators. The decisions relative to those events are made at the local level. We continue to encourage all involved to engage with local health department professionals, and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization, in making educated decisions.

Provided OneBeat AED/CPR