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MAHA Return to Play Standards - September 6, 2020

By MAHA Executive Committee, 09/06/20, 4:30PM EDT

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To the Members of our Michigan Hockey Community:

It is with great enthusiasm that we, on behalf of the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA), finally get to announce that… HOCKEY IS BACK IN MICHIGAN!!

We share the excitement of the entire statewide hockey community, as Governor Whitmer’s Executive Orders on September 4th officially allow our return to hockey activity (effective Wednesday, September 9th, 2020). Needless to say, it has been a challenging six months while we’ve collectively navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. As the state governing body for youth hockey in Michigan, the MAHA has worked very hard to provide quality information, best practices from around the country, and positive collaboration with state government officials on a safe return to hockey. The MAHA must offer a tremendous thanks to the various state representatives, lobbyists, legal counselors, USA Hockey staff members, as well as Governor Whitmer on providing us an opportunity to be a part of the solutions required to bring back the game we all love.

We also must sincerely thank the ambassadors of our great game, from across the State of Michigan – the coaches, officials, volunteers, directors, Board members, rink operators and officers who devoted countless hours to establishing protocols and safety measures to protect our collective membership. Many of these individuals participated in various committees and task forces, all motivated with a collective goal to provide a safe return to hockey activity. All of you were tremendous contributors on this journey, and your efforts have been sincerely appreciated.

In addition, great thanks must be given to our entire statewide hockey membership. Without question, the journey required to reach our return to play has been a tremendous challenge for all of you. We appreciate your ongoing patience through all of the evolving circumstances, as well as the uncertainty, of the last several months. Your passion for the game of hockey has never waned, and we’re very appreciative of your ongoing loyalty. It brings the MAHA tremendous pleasure to celebrate the return, of hockey in Michigan, with all of you.

With all of that said, our work is not yet complete. While we have taken a major step forward in a successful return to hockey, our next mission requires a collaborative effort to protect the safety and well-being of our hockey participants moving forward. To achieve success in this effort, the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association is introducing the attached Return to Play Standards for the 2020-21 season. This document contains best practices from USA Hockey affiliates across the country, executed successfully to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants. In addition, these policies are aligned with the Center for Disease Control, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and the Executive Orders initiated by Governor Whitmer. Collectively, this document offers a path for a safe return to hockey activity.

We know you are anxious to get your association’s players and coaches back on this ice. However, please make sure that all of you players and coaches are properly registered before they resume participation. We want to make sure everyone stays safe, and that they are fully covered should something unfortunate happen. This does not mean players and coaches have to be on rosters before they hit the ice, but they should be registered with USA Hockey at a minimum and claimed by your association registrar (unless player from another association is trying out for one of your teams).

Once again, we offer our sincere to our statewide hockey community for your ongoing commitment, loyalty, and patience. We look forward to sharing the details of this plan with you, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Your wait is over. Hockey is back in Michigan!

 

Sincerely,

 

George Atkinson

President

Michigan Amateur Hockey Association

 

Jason Reynolds

Director of Operations & Marketing

Michigan Amateur Hockey Association