The State of Minnesota has pressed the pause button on all sports, including high school hockey, until this coming Monday (Jan. 4). Minnesota Hockey announced that it has received more guidance from the state government, which will allow for games to begin on Jan. 14.
Minnesota has been in the midst of a six-week pause on all youth sports.
Players and all participants will be required to wear a mask. No spectators will be allowed at any practices across all hockey, with the exception of 8U mites as well as players with medical conditions. Parents in the “exception” groups can have a max of one parent in attendance.
Teams are also going to be required to limit “pod” sizes during practices to 25 individuals, including coaches. Once teams are selected that likely won’t have a huge impact on high school hockey, but it will affect tryouts and team selections.
Additionally, teams will not be able to use locker rooms. Players must show up to facilities dressed and bags will not be allowed inside rinks, with the exception of goalies. Players will also not be allowed to enter arenas until 10 minutes prior to their ice time and no dryland activities are permitted inside of the rinks.
“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,” Minnesota Hockey said in a statement. “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.”
Many of Minnesota’s guidelines mirror what’s been happening at other states in the U.S. These guidelines are nearly identical to what Massachusetts has been using since mid-November after the state paused youth hockey for two weeks prior to Thanksgiving.
