RED DEER – The Government of Alberta today announced a mandatory two-week pause on indoor group fitness classes and team sport activities. The pause applies to Edmonton and surrounding areas, Calgary and surrounding areas, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Fort McMurray and Red Deer. The full list of surrounding communities (for the Calgary and Edmonton regions) is available on the Government of Alberta website.
The pause includes all levels of minor hockey, Accredited Schools, Junior B and C, and Senior hockey in the affected areas. It is in effect starting at 12:01 am on Friday, November 13, continuing until November 27, and includes all practices, games, competition and team activities. Games in the Alberta Elite Hockey League and Alberta Female Hockey League scheduled between November 13-27 will not take place.
The pause does not apply to the Alberta Junior Hockey League, ACAC or USport.
The safety of all participants in our sport remains paramount, as it has throughout the Return to Hockey process.
Teams must not circumvent the pause by holding practices, games or competition in an area not included in the pause. Teams that violate the pause will be subject to, at minimum, a fine assessed to the Member MHA, Club Team or Accredited School, and a suspension assessed to the head coach.
Hockey Alberta will be working with the MHAs, teams and Tiered Minor, Junior and Senior leagues in areas not included in the pause to identify what games can be played. Currently, games scheduled this weekend where both teams are in areas not included in the pause may be played.
Currently, Coach and Officials clinics planned for this weekend will be hosted as scheduled.
Hockey Alberta received this information Thursday afternoon, and will continue to work with our Members and hockey partners to identify additional impacts to the hockey community across the province.
Rob Litwinski,
Chief Executive Officer