Pandemic restrictions threaten to put minor hockey season on ice

Hopes that minor hockey might restore a sense of stability forkids, coaches and parents in Ottawa this winter may be dashed as several leagues move to cancel the coming season amid tightened pandemic restrictions.

A number of minor hockey associations in the city have already suspended their programs, saying it's not currently feasible to continue. Some haveeven tried unsuccessfully to book ice time in areas outsidethe city that don't fall under the new restrictionsannounced by the province for Ottawa, Toronto and Peel region last week.

Currently, a maximum of 10 skaters including coaches are allowed on the ice at any one time in the city.

Games are forbidden, and only practices can take place. Spectators aren't allowed inside arenas, and players must arrive at the rink suited up because dressing rooms are closed.

Losing sense of 'normalcy'

The Nepean Minor Hockey Association and the West End Hockey League have both informed familiesthey're pausing programming until the new restrictions are lifted. The City of Ottawa Ringette Association has announced the same.

Ozzie Osman, president of the West End Hockey League, said the cancellations comeas a blow to everyone looking forward to getting back onthe ice, and into their winter routine.

It's just not cost-effective for us, and we'd lose too much money.- Ozzie Osman, West End Hockey League

"I think it is the normalcy, and I think that [it's] having kids being able to be a bit free on the iceand enjoy themselves in a sport that we all love. [But] the reality of it all is we need to keep everybody safe," said Osman.

"Our threshold is 18 kids on the ice with four coaches. That would be our break-even. So it's just not cost-effective for us, and we'd lose too much money," he said.

Osman said the West End Hockey League plans to re-evaluate the situation on Nov. 7.

Some young hockey players said being back on the ice in recent weeks felt "amazing"after monthsof unprecedented change.

Players disappointed after minor hockey programs suspended

4 years ago

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Jake Fisher, 14, says his last practice with the Osgoode Richmond Romans was a sad one due to the suspension of the season.

Jake Fisher, 14, had one last practice with the Osgoode Richmond Romans on Wednesday nightafter finding out their season would be suspended. Fisher said he and his teammates stepped off the ice at the end of practice feeling"pretty down" about the uncertainty.

"It's sad that I don't get to play hockey, because it's where I see my friends the most," said Fisher, who alternates between online and in-class learning at school.

Handful of players test positive

Some hockey associations, including the one Fisher plays under, said they're awaiting further guidance from Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO), the region's governing body foramateur hockey.

HEO said it's had a small number of players and volunteerstest positive for COVID-19.

"Less than 10in a participant group in excess of 20,000," said HEO executive director Debbie Rambeau in an email to CBC."At this point we do not believe that any member has contracted the virus as a result of a sanctioned HEO event."

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) said in a statement thatrecent contact tracing investigations have "identified confirmed transmissions and outbreaks between staff and players."

In an updated statement Thursday, HEO said hockey programs with teams from Ottawa must comply with the regulations. HEO said it supports the direction from the Eastern Ontario, RenfrewCounty and LeedsGrenville Lanark health unitsthat "strongly discourages" Ottawa-based programsrenting ice facilities outside the city.

Programs with teams outside of Ottawa can continue in Stage 3 which means they can practise, scrimmage, and play "non-contact,COVID-modified games" in cohorts of 50 people or less.

New public health rules a blow to minor hockey in Ottawa

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Ozzie Osman, president of the West End Hockey League, says the suspension is disappointing given the amount of work league volunteers did to make hockey as safe as possible.

OPH said since the province imposed the restrictions last Friday, local health officialshavestarted workingwith hockey associations to come up with ways to safely adapt and return to play.

Meanwhile, an official at theRobert Hartley Sports Complex in Hawkesbury, Ont., east of Ottawa,told CBChe'shad calls from Ottawa hockeyteams asking to rent ice time, but has declined those requests.

The mayor of Casselman, Ont., also east of Ottawa,told CBC he's had six similar requests from Ottawateams, but has also declined them.