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Return to Play Updates - December 28

By Minnesota Hockey, 12/28/20, 2:15PM CST

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Today, we received further updates from the State of Minnesota as to what will be allowed upon the return of youth, high school and adult sports on January 4. Included in the update was the announcement that games at all levels may begin starting on January 14.

Included in the announcement are the following announcement mandates from the state:

  • Cloth face coverings will be required for all participants during all organized sport activities. Official MDH guidance on the type of face coverings permitted is available here and additional guidance face covering use in sports from the American Academy of Pediatrics can be found here.
  • No spectators will be allowed at practices, with the exceptions of age (Mite/8U players and younger), medical condition and Disabled Hockey groups. Participants in these groups may have a maximum of one parent, guardian or support person.
  • Pod sizes for practices are limited to 25 participants per pod, including coaches, for indoor and outdoor activities. There is a limit of two pods per session.

Phase 4 Return to Play Rules and Guidelines Announced

Minnesota Hockey today announced its Phase 4 Return to Play Rules & Guidelines for Phase 4, which will guide the initial return to hockey after a six-week pause, beginning on Monday, January 4.

Phase 4 implements the requirements for organized sports released today by the State of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Health, as well as the COVID-19 Rules approved by the Minnesota Hockey Board of Directors at its Special Meeting on December 13.

Minnesota Hockey is planning to implement Phase 5 of its Return to Play Rules and Guidelines when games begin on January 14. Details on Phase 5 will be released upon further guidance being released by the State of Minnesota.

Phase 4 Rules include:

  • Locker rooms may not be used.
  • No equipment bags, with the exception of goalies, allowed in facilities.
  • All players must come fully dressed, except helmets, skates and gloves. Goalies must come half dressed.
  • Players must not enter the arena until 10 minutes before the scheduled ice time, and everyone must exit within 10 minutes of the end of the ice time.
  • Dryland activities will not be permitted inside arenas.

The complete Phase 4 Return to Play Rules & Guidelines document is available here, and the latest version of our Guidelines for Managing Positive Cases is available here.

Minnesota Hockey would like to thank all of its members for your increased diligence and dedication to best practices to limit the spread of COVID-19 over the past several weeks. As we eagerly anticipate our return to the ice and competition in 2021, we know those efforts will continue to play a key role in our ability to finish the 2020-21 season on a high note while keeping players as safe as possible.

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