Greetings Bears!
As we inch closer to the 2020-21 hockey season, the WBLAHA board wanted to send a message to best address the questions and concerns that you likely have during these unprecedented times.
As a board, we are focused on a safe and enjoyable hockey season. The past four months have been ever-changing in our world and our planning and approach has been fluid. We understand and value the importance of hockey in your children’s lives and the White Bear community.
On July 30th, the MN Department of Education, MN Department of Health, and Governor Walz will communicate the strategy to educate students during the 2020-21 school year. That announcement will have a significant impact on Minnesota Hockey’s approach and guidance for this season. It may also impact the availability of our ice rinks and arenas this Fall/Winter.
WBLAHA will continue to work under the guidance of Minnesota Hockey as we return to hockey. The latest Minnesota Hockey guidance and information can be found at these links.
Minnesota Hockey COVID-19 Information
https://www.minnesotahockey.org/covid19
Minnesota Hockey Return to Play Guidelines:
We are working to finalize our budget for the upcoming season. Our intention is to maintain fees at the same amount as the 2019-20 season for all levels. The only significant difference planned this season is with our DIBS program. As communicated at the July Board Meeting, the plan is to eliminate the DIBS requirement for all families this season. The anticipated cost of this approach equates to $35/skater. This will eliminate the need to work tournaments, concessions or other association mandated requirements. Teams hosting tournaments will be required to manage their tournaments and ensure the success of these tournaments.
We are anxious to open registration for the 2020-21 season. As soon as we have confirmation on the start date for our season, we will open the link through SportsEngine. We will also communicate preseason activities, including Warmup Camps, Tryouts, and Grading at that time.
New for the 2020-21 season, Minnesota Hockey has changed the birthdate ranges for level classifications. When registration opens, you will register for the level that corresponds to your child’s age classification, per the table below. If your child has a summer birthdate and falls in the ‘Peer Play Grade’, they will have the option of registering at that level with their classmates.
BORN AFTER |
BORN BEFORE |
AGE CLASSIFICATION |
PEER PLAY GRADE |
January 1, 2001 |
May 31, 2004 |
19U Girls |
N/A |
June 1, 2001 |
May 31, 2005 |
Jr Gold |
10th |
June 1, 2004 |
May 31, 2007 |
15U Girls |
8th |
June 1, 2005 |
May 31, 2007 |
Bantam |
8th |
June 1, 2007 |
May 31, 2009 |
Peewee / 12U |
6th |
June 1, 2009 |
May 31, 2011 |
Squirt / 10U |
4th |
June 1, 2011 |
May 31, 2015 |
Mite / 8U |
N/A |
June 1, 2011 |
May 31, 2016 |
Clinic |
N/A |
For this season, we have also adopted a temporary June birthday rule:
Any player born in June of 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, that are not otherwise eligible for a "grade play up", may have the option to continue playing up with the age group in which they were mandated to play before the change to MN Hockey's birthday cutoff policy.
This will allow a small group of impacted skaters to continue to play with their friends/peer group.
All of this information can be found in our 2020-21 Handbook, set to be published as soon as we have a green light on the 2020-21 season.
Return to the Ice and Return to the Arenas
WBLAHA’s #1 priority this season is player and family safety. You should expect to see rules and guidelines put in place by USA Hockey, Minnesota Hockey, MN Dept. of Health, and WBLAHA. These rules will likely be fluid and may vary from city-to-city and rink-to-rink. It will be imperative that we all work together to ensure a safe and rewarding season for our kids.
We will communicate over the upcoming days/weeks as information becomes available. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these uncharted waters. These are unprecedented times, but we are doing our very best to communicate and adapt as information becomes available to us. If you have any questions, please reach out using our contact information found on the website: https://www.wblhockey.com/board
All the best,
White Bear Lake Area Hockey Association Board
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