Members of our Michigan Hockey Community:
On June 5, 2020, Governor Whitmer introduced Executive Orders 2020-114 and 2020-115 as an update in the ongoing re-opening of the State of Michigan.
Specifically, the Governor ordered that Regions 6 & 8 on the Michigan Economic Recovery Council (MERC) map will advance to Phase 5, as outlined in her comprehensive Michigan Safe Start Plan. The advancement to Phase 5 will take place at 12:01am on Wednesday, June 10th, 2020. As a result, ice arenas in Regions 6 & 8 will be allowed to re-open for business on this date.
Region 6 includes the following counties:
Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Crawford, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, and Emmet
Region 8 includes the following counties:
Gogebic, Ontonagon, Houghton, Keweenaw, Iron, Baraga, Dickinson, Marquette, Menominee, Delta, Alger, Schoolcraft, Luce, Mackinac, and Chippewa
Furthermore, Governor Whitmer has provided a specific set of guidelines that rinks will be required to adhere to. Rink management is encouraged to review Executive Order 2020-114 (Sections 1-14) to ensure adherence to these government guidelines.
Based on the timeline indicated in its ‘Return to The Game’ plan for the 2020-21 season, the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) is able to confirm the earliest dates for the following activities in Regions 6 & 8:
Rinks Re-open (Regions 6 & 8): Wednesday, June 10th
Rink Preparation: Wednesday, June 10th – Wednesday, June 24th
Administrative Period (Associations): Wednesday, June 10th – Wednesday, July 1st
Players Return to On-Ice Activities: Thursday, July 2nd – Sunday, July 12th*
Tier I Team Tryouts (Youth & Girls 12U – 19U): Monday, July 13th – Sunday, July 19th
Tier II Team Tryouts (Youth & Girls 10U – 19U): Monday, July 20th – Sunday, July 26th
Tier III (House Evaluation Skate / Draft): TBD by Associations, following Tier I & II tryouts
(*Observance of 4th of July holiday weekend is replaced with the following weekend)
Rinks and associations may proceed with communicating the information above to its membership and patrons.
The MAHA will continue to provide updates and guidance, regarding our return to hockey activity, based on the forthcoming direction of the State of Michigan. As previously noted, we anticipate that our state’s re-opening will continue in phases; however, we are optimistic that this is the first step towards a statewide return to the game we love.
Thank you for your continued patience… please stay safe and healthy, and we hope to see you at the rink very soon!
George Atkinson
President, Michigan Amateur Hockey Association
Jason Reynolds
Director of Operations & Marketing, Michigan Amateur Hockey Association