By Troy Gillard

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Advocacy group shares plan to let Alberta kids play hockey

Jan 27, 2021 | 5:00 PM

A hockey advocacy group has presented the provincial government with a plan to open up Alberta ice rinks sooner than later.

The United Hockey Alliance of Alberta says its “multi-phased reopening plan” provides a safe way for arenas to reopen for the first quarter of 2021.

“Our proposal includes safe standards and risk reduction strategies for a gradual and responsible return to game play,” the group says in an online petition.

The petition, which launched last week and as of Wednesday afternoon has more than 2,300 signatures, is addressed to Premier Jason Kenney and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw.

The first phase of the alliance’s plan includes allowing small groups of players to train together for skill development before moving on to team practice, games with reduced rosters and eventually a full return to play.

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It was in November when the provincial government banned team sports in larger centres including Red Deer as part of enhanced COVID-19 public health measures. A ban for the rest of the province followed in mid-December.

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Hockey Alberta has set a deadline of Monday, Feb.1 for the province to indicate whether a return to league play is possible for this season. Provincial championship tournaments for 2021 have already been cancelled.

“Hockey Alberta understands the concern and frustration being felt by the hockey community across the province as the pause continues in our sport,” CEO Rob Litwinski said this week in a statement.

“We have been clear in our support of the expertise provided by Alberta’s health experts and the importance of the health and safety of all Albertans during the COVID-19 pandemic. But we also share the sentiment that has been expressed to us by hockey parents across the province – that the mental and physical health benefits of participating in hockey are important to their children, our players.”

Litwinski added, “Hockey Alberta has been working with officials from the Government, Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services, and we will continue to do so. We believe that, given the opportunity, Hockey Alberta and our Member organizations can develop and implement a plan to allow our more than 100,000 participants to return safely to the ice to enjoy the final couple of months of the season.”