In this challenging summer, hockey has been going very well and the rinks have done a fantastic job implementing COVID-19 guidelines to keep all their patrons safe. Safety is everything and as skaters and Sabre members, it's important that we all do our best to do our part in keeping our kids safe on the ice. As patrons of the rinks, it's important for us to make sure we are doing the best we can to follow the procedures at All Seasons, Rocket, or any rink we may visit. Over the summer, we all have been doing a great job with this, so we thank you!

Now that the season is near, we must also familiarize ourselves with best practices that we can implement while on the ice. Hockey is a very physical activity with sweat, heavy breathing and lots of contact and it will always be that way. So it is important for us to make sure we (both parents and coaches) talk to our players about what they can do on the ice to help minimize the transmission of COVID-19.

Over the last several months, I have had the opportunity to talk to several experts in this field directly about how we can best manage our current environment as a hockey program and this is what I have learned thus far. It's important to understand that there is nothing about COVID-19 that is absolute. There is nothing anyone can do that will 100% eliminate this disease. Therefore it is important to just develop routine practices that help mitigate the spread and lower the probability of transmission. The better we can do that, the safer we are. COVID-19 is transmitted through moisture droplets transmitted from one's respiratory system through the mouth and nose to someone else's face getting into their respiratory system. The virus is not transmitted through sweat or by just touching someone. Touching becomes an issue because people routinely touch their faces and that's how those moisture droplets with the virus get transferred from one person to another. So as skaters, coaches, and members, here are some best practices we can adopt to help minimize this transmission.

While on the ice standing in line waiting for your turn in a drill, or while on the bench, spread out a bit. Simple social distancing while even standing in line can go a long way. Coaches, when you are on the ice and you have your players gather to explain a drill, make sure we practice social distancing then as well. As coaches, just simple reminders on the ice will help our players learn these safe habits. Also recommended, is not spitting on the ice. Instead take a drink of your own water and swallow your saliva. As simple as this sounds, these minimal practices can really help our communal safety with this virus.

Some of the biggest points that were expressed by our experts were wearing a masks when off the ice and yes you are welcome to where a mask while on the ice if you want. This along with washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your face, especially eyes, nose and mouth can make a big difference with prevention. Here is a good example; when one comes off the ice, you want to take your gloves off first, wipe your hands with hand sanitizer (keep a bottle in your bag), then take off your helmet and put on a mask. Do all of this before you handle any of your other gear or leave the rink.

As a hockey program we are very proud about being the gold standard in the hockey community and with COVID-19, we too will set the standards for best practices to help keep our kids and hockey community safe on and off the ice. Together, Let's Do Our Part!