Good evening everyone,

Earlier today, the province announced that beginning next week, COVID-19 restrictions will be eased over three phases. To read the complete release from the province, please click here.

Phase 1 will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Feb, 14 and the following restrictions impacting hockey will go into effect:

• Groups of up to 60 are now permitted in the field of play.
• Teams can have practices and regular league games (see explanation below).
• Competition is limited to regular league games. This refers to the current league that your team is playing in. If a game is part of your team’s regular league or competitive schedule, it is allowed. Bringing together teams that typically do not play one another is not allowed.
• Tournaments are still not permitted.
• Physical distancing is not required in the field of play; masks are recommended at all times when not on the ice surface.
• Spectators are allowed up to the formal gathering limit; the formal gathering limit for gatherings is 50 per cent of capacity indoors. Capacities will vary by facility. Please check with your local rink. (NOTE: While today’s press release states that fitness, recreation and leisure businesses and organizations can operate at 75 per cent capacity and references arenas, we have clarified with the province that this section does not apply to hockey or spectators at a hockey game).

We know today’s update will be welcome news for our members as we return to game action. We are hopeful that we will continue to trend in the right direction. Phase 1 is the first step in a three phase reopening plan and each phase is expected to last about a month. We understand that the situation will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis and we will provide more information to you as soon as we have it.

We will also be providing an update later this month on how this will impact the remainder of the season (including provincial tournaments and other events).

Please continue to follow the protocols and thank you all for your continued support. As always, we appreciate your efforts and commitment to keeping everyone on the ice.

Sincerely,

Amy Walsh

Executive Director

Hockey Nova Scotia

Arnie Farrell

President

Hockey Nova Scotia

FEMALE PLAYERS INVITED TO REGISTER FOR SCOTIABANK GIRLS HOCKEYFEST IN NOVEMBER

Scotiabank has teamed up with Hockey Nova Scotia and the PWHPA to offer an opportunity to learn from the top hockey players in Canada!

Female hockey players registered with Hockey Nova Scotia teams and programs are invited to take part in Scotiabank Girls HockeyFest. The event gets underway on Sunday, Nov. 14 at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro.

During this free half-day event, girls aged 7-18 years will have the chance to participate in on-ice drills, off-ice training sessions, and a nutrition classroom session with players from the PWHPA Secret Dream Gap Tour. To build on the momentum of the tour, Scotiabank is excited to welcome a PWHPA coach to lead the on-ice sessions, along with PWHPA players supporting both the on-ice and off-ice sessions.

A lottery registration system is now live and will remain open until Sunday, Oct. 31 at 11 p.m. Please click on this link to register.

Participants must be registered with a Hockey Nova Scotia team, program, or association for the 2021-22 season in order to be considered for this event. Due to expected high demand, participants will be selected by a lottery registration system. Participants will be randomly selected and assigned to a morning or afternoon session based on their age. If selected, registrants will receive a confirmation email on Friday, Nov. 5. All other registrants will receive an email notifying them of their addition to the waitlist on Nov. 5. Should a player withdraw from the session requested, players on the waitlist will be contacted by email to confirm acceptance.

The PWHPA Secret Dream Gap Tour action gets underway at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre in Truro on Friday, Nov. 12. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online through Ticketpro.

A special discounted ticket offer is available for Hockey Nova Scotia members. Click here to learn more.

The annual COACH/MANAGER meeting will be hosted on ZOOM. 

Watch your email for the link.

Tuesday, October 19th, 2021.

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

We strongly suggest that the following members of your team staff attend:

• at least ONE COACH
• MANAGER
• SAFETY REP
• TREASURER

Prior to the meeting, all team staff should review the MEIFHA Policies and Procedures Manual_2021 OCT 12 and the Coach/Manager: Duties & Responsibilities page.

Thank you,

MEIFHA.