Central Section Presidents-
In an effort to keep you all updated with information and provide the best clarity I can. I wanted to fill you in on some information from the NYSAHA board meeting held yesterday.
First off, the NYSAHA is continuing to work with key members of NYS in an effort to enable controlled hockey scrimmages and games to be allowed as soon as possible. From the information we received yesterday, the outlook is optimistically looking at January 4, 2021 as a potential start date. We are hoping it can be changed to be sooner. It was also mentioned in the meeting that High School hockey will most likely be cancelling the 2020-2021 season very soon.
As you know we are governed by NYS rules, and as of now within NYS we are only allowed "Individual or distanced group training or activities” and "Organized no/low-contact group training (e.g. sport camps and clinics)”. We are not allowed "Competitive team practices”, "Games, meets, matches, scrimmages (e.g. organized leagues, pick-up sports)”, or "Competitive tournaments of multiple games, meets, matches, or scrimmages requiring travel”. There are also many zones indicated by NYS as Cluster Zones. There are specific rules within those zones that also must be followed. Zone information and the associated rules are published on the Forward NY website (“https://forward.ny.gov”). Please be aware of those rules and specifically the limits for gatherings (residential and non-residential).
There are currently no NYS rules preventing travel to other states to participate in scrimmages, games, or tournaments. Please ensure you understand the NYS travel rules and the rules for the state you may be participating in. For non-contiguous states you are required to follow the NYS quarantine rules. There are currently no NYS rules requiring quarantine for contiguous states. Please note that as of yesterday the following contiguous states are not allowing travel to their state to play hockey: Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey. It is our understanding that Pennsylvania will be following that path very soon.
While we recommend that teams and thier participants do not travel, NYSAHA is following and governed by the rules of NYS that at this time do not prohibit teams and their participants from making the decision to travel to play.
Please get back to me with any questions.
Regards,
Kirk Avery
NYSAHA Central Section President
