Good morning,

I wanted to take time to highlight a few upcoming events. Please use our website as a resource to find the latest information and news. The link is below.

https://hutchhockey.pucksystems.com/page/show/50322-home

April 18th - Mite Equipment Return from 2-4pm East Rink
April 18th - Mite Boys Fun Day from 3-5pm East Rink

Annual Meeting to take place Sunday April 25th at 3pm at the Crow River Golf Club.

The following open Board positions that will be voted on are as follows:

Secretary - 2 year term
Director of Hockey Operations - 2 year term
Director of SQ, PW and Bantams - 2 year term
Director of Mites - 2 year term

Positions descriptions are listed on the HHA website. Should you have interest in running for one of our open board positions please reach out to Josh Karg 320-552-3513 or josh.karg@heartlandag.com and I will get your name on the ballot.

2021 Summer Hockey Camp - July 12-29th. Registration will be open in early May to secure your spot. A schedule has been posted on the HHA website along with pricing.

Nekton Sports Performance - Summer Hockey Programs as well as private and small group training opportunities available. Please contact Jake Larson 320-583-2354 - jakelarson@nektonsportsperformance.com - or visit his website nektonsportsperformance.com for more details and opportunities.

Hello and Happy April.  I hope you have all been doing well and are looking forward to a beautiful holiday weekend.  Thank you all again for a great hockey season and helping us make this year a success even with the COVID challenges that it presented.  I hope your child had a great year.

We have scheduled ALL mite equipment return for Sunday April 18th from 2-4pm in the East Arena.  Please do your best to get the equipment returned on that day so we are not trying to track down stragglers.  We need to do inventory on the equipment so we know what needs to be replaced for next year.  If any of your equipment is damaged please let us know so we do not accidentally put it back in the supply for next year.  I know a lot of the helmets were missing screws and I was replacing them throughout the season but please point something like that out if you know about it.  We will return your deposit checks at that time and we would obviously prefer to not have to deposit or cash any of them.

Secondly, We are planning to have an end of the year Boys Fun Day with games on the Turf in the East arena on the same day Sunday April 18th from 3-5pm.  We will play soccer and some other games for an hours or so and then have some pizza and snacks.  The girls already had their fun day with bowling and Pizza at the bowling ally and it was a big success.  I am hoping for a great turnout for the boys as well.

Thanks again and have a Happy Easter.  We will see you on April 18th.

Please mark your calendars for the 2020-2021 HHA Annual Meeting and Awards Night.

The Annual Meeting will take place at Crow River Golf Club on April 25th 2021 at 3pm.

Open Board positions that will be voted on are as follows:

• Secretary - 2 year term
• Director of SQ, PW and Bantams - 2 year term
• Director of Mites - 2 year term
• Director of Hockey Operations - 2 year term

Positions descriptions are listed on the HHA website. Should you have interest in running for one of our open board positions please reach out to Josh Karg 320-552-3513 or josh.karg@heartlandag.com and I will get your name on the ballot.

HHA Families,

This year's association raffle will occur on Saturday, February 27th. The drawing will happen at Main Street Sports Bar at 4pm. Due to Covid regulations, that portion of the event will live streamed via Facebook.

There will be a raffle party following the drawing from 5-8pm at the McLeod County Fairgrounds Swine Barn building. Access to some indoor space (including bathrooms) will be available, but this will mainly be an outdoor gathering. As such, firepits and heaters will be provided. Josie Sanken will provide live music.

Covid restrictions limit the association from providing food and drinks. However, we'd encourage you to bring take-out or order food (especially from our community sponsors MSSB, Muddy Cow, or Buffalo Wild Wings) to enjoy amongst yourselves. Alcohol is allowed but please drink responsibly.

Tables will be provided but please bring your own chair(s). Covid practices of social distancing and mask wearing will be expected.

RAFFLE CHECKS WILL BE CASHED ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd. The raffle winners will be contacted after the event concludes and their names will be posted on the HHA website and Facebook page. Checks will be mailed to the winners the week following the drawing.

I think we can all agree that this has been a unique and memorable season! This gathering is an opportunity to share some laughter and enjoy each other's company. We sincerely hope to have you join us for a fun, relaxing evening.

Erin Knudtson and Melissa Campbell
 

We are pleased to announce that the HHA raffle will be held on the evening of Saturday, February 27th.

The details of the event, including the location and time of the drawing will be determined two weeks prior to the event. We are using the next few weeks to make plans that are in accordance with current Covid guidelines. Extending the raffle drawing date gives us the best opportunity to host a safe gathering.

Following last night's board meeting, below you will find the relevant updates at this time.

Raffle tickets
Please return your raffle ticket stubs to the white box at Burich arena by Saturday, January 16th at 7pm. We are still working through details of when and where this drawing will take place - likely outdoors at the end of February.

Skate sharpening
With the increase of outdoor skating, we have seen several players with dull skates. Please make sure to get your skates sharpened as needed. HHA will now offer skate sharpening at all levels. Punch cards are available to get 5 sharpening for $20 (cash or check). Check with your coach/team manager on how this will work for your team (note: may be on an emergency basis only given limited people and time). Mites, look for an email to come from Adam Fink later this week with more details.

Stream games with LiveBarn
LiveBarn is now installed in both the East and West arenas to stream all youth hockey games, including JV/Varsity. Have an away game? Check out the other venues that also have LiveBarn - all included. The service is available on a subscription basis and allows you to watch both live and on-demand games at any time from any device. For more information or to subscribe, visit LiveBarn. Enter code ee31-826h for 10% off!

Swine barn
Many kids have been taking advantage of the extra skating opportunities at the Swine Barn. Thank you to all for following the rules and keeping it fun! Please check the HHA homepage for the latest schedule. On Monday, January 18th there is a special NO SCHOOL schedule.

Summer ice
Save the date! Summer ice is slated for July 12-30, 2021. We are also working on an off-ice option through Nekton Sports Performance in town. More information to come later this spring.

COVID-19 updates
The latest phase 5 guidelines were shared on Monday. To make sure you understand the latest as we head into games, please visit the COVID-19 page.
 

We received some updates to Phase 5 today from MN Hockey so I wanted to share. The document from MN Hockey can be read in full on the HHA website under the Covid page.

Phase 5 (as of 1/12/21) goes into effect on January 14th when games begin. One exception is one spectator per player may be allowed at practices effective immediately, but spectators at practice should still be minimized to the greatest extent possible.

• Two spectators per player (with exceptions for young siblings) will be allowed at games
• Three coaches will be allowed on the bench during games
• Small drawstring bag or small backpacks are permitted to carry smaller items as of 1/14/2021.
• Goaltenders may enter 15 minutes before scheduled ice times, as opposed to 10 for everyone else
• Locker room usage is discouraged and will be at the discretion and rules of each rink.

As of 1/4/21, Minnesota Hockey has secured approval from MDH for the use of the Bauer Splashguard in addition to the CCM Game On mask.
 

Due to ongoing uncertainties caused by COVID-19 restrictions, the HHA board has chosen to delay the raffle drawing event. The drawing was originally scheduled for January 16th at Crow River Golf Club. We’re postponing this event in the hopes that we can still hold it publicly. Please be patient as we await the governor’s decision this month regarding the opening of bars and restaurants. As soon as a determination has been made, a new plan will be communicated to the association.

We are still going to ask you to return your ticket stubs to the white box at Burich Arena by Saturday January 16th at 7pm. With the rink opening January 4th, you will have a two week period to return your stubs. The box will be checked regularly to ensure that these are being collected in a timely manner.

The wait is over, and we are clear to return to play tomorrow 1/4/2020. Please take time if you have not already to go out to the HHA website under the COVID-19 tab and read through the Phase 4 return to play guidelines.

In addition to practice resuming the Swine Barn also opens tomorrow. The rules and schedule are posted on the website so please go out and take a look and familiarize yourself with the time slots for your son or daughter. Rules are clearly posted on the website for the Swine Barn, as well as posted at the Swine Barn. Please respect the rules and each other so that we can keep Swine Barn open.

Phase 4 Return to Play:

• Masks are required to be worn at all times for players and coaches.
• No bags, with the exception of goalies
• All players and officials must come fully dressed, except helmets, skates and gloves. Goalies must come half dressed.
• No one may enter the arena until 10 minutes before the scheduled ice time, and everyone must exit within 10 minutes of the end of the ice time.
• No use of locker rooms
• No dryland activities will be permitted inside arenas

If you have a player that will not be wearing a mask a doctor’s note will be required prior to them practicing without a mask. A copy of that doctors not will also need to be with the head coach to be able to present during games should another association question why a player is not wearing a mask.

Additional details regarding Phase 5 return to games will be provided once that information is available from MN Hockey and District 5. At this time, I have no additional information to share other than we are expecting games to resume on 1/14/2020.

If you should have any questions regarding the Phase 4 return guidelines, please reach out to Josh Karg 320-552-3513 josh.karg@heartlandag.com or Kati Katzenmeyer 612-819-6339 kati.katzenmeyer@gmail.com

We received updates from the State of Minnesota as to what will be allowed upon the return of youth, high school and adult sports on January 4. That guidance has been updated and available on the Dept. of Health website, as well as the HHA website under the COVID-19 tab.

Please keep in mind that these decisions are not made by the HHA board or District 5 board. These are simply being passed on by the State of MN and  Governor Tim Walz.

District 5 as well as the association schedulers have decided it’s easiest to wipe the schedule and start with a clean slate as it relates to our D5 game schedule. This is being worked on by our district and association schedulers as we speak. I will share more information on the new D5 schedules once they are available.

It's also a good time to once again stress that refunds will be reviewed as the season ends in late March. This will be a process the board will have to review, and it will take some time to determine what the appropriate amounts may look like should there be refunds.

Included in the Phase 4 guidelines are the following:
• Games may resume Jan. 14
• Face coverings are required at all times, including practices and games for players and coaches
• No spectators are allowed with the exception of 8U and under. They will be allowed one parent with mask and they must socially distance.
• Pod sizes for practice are 25 with two allowed on the rink at the same time.
• MDH will be releasing additional guidance that will be in effect once games begin.

Please take time to go out to the HHA website under the Covid-19 tab and read up on the MN Hockey Return to Play Phase 4 Guidelines from MN Hockey. The items in RED are new to Phase 4. In addition, the links for MN Hockey Positive Test Guidelines and MN DOH Guidance for Sport Practice.

Minnesota Hockey is planning to implement Phase 5 of its Return to Play Rules and Guidelines when games begin on January 14. Details on Phase 5 will be released upon further guidance being released by the State of Minnesota.

As you have likely heard, the Executive Order by Governor Tim Walz instituting a pause on MN youth sports has been extended.  Therefore, HHA practices will resume on January 4, 2021. At that time, please follow all COVID-19 guidelines, including the the updated COVID-19 rules provided by MN Hockey:

• Locker rooms are closed for Phase 1
• No bags, with the exception of goalies, allowed in facilities for Phase 1
• No spectators in arenas for Phase 1 with two exceptions. One parent will be allowed at the Mite/8U levels and below, and a max of two people may be allowed to live stream games.
• All players and officials must come fully dressed, except helmets, skates and gloves. Goalies must come half dressed.
• No one may enter the arena until 10 minutes before the scheduled ice time, and everyone must exit within 10 minutes of the end of the ice time.
• No ice resurfacing will be permitted between periods for the remainder of the regular season.
• No dryland activities will be permitted inside arenas.

We will continue to stay plugged into the latest updates and share them according. The next District meeting is scheduled for January 6, 2021 where we anticipate to learn about more upcoming plans for D5. In the meantime, please contact Josh Karg, HHA President or Kati Katzenmeyer, HHA Vice President with any questions.

***EDIT: Winning teams are Squirt B and 10U.***

Next Sunday (December 20th), we encourage you to order take-out or delivery from Main Street Sports Bar. We rely on our sponsors to help support local youth hockey and now is a time that we can help them!

As a fun challenge, post a picture with your MSSB order on the Hutchinson Hockey Association Facebook page and mention your team, i.e. 10U, PWA, SQB. You can even tag @mssbhutch for them to see. The team with the highest participation rate will WIN A PIZZA PARTY at the end of the year!

What: Support MSSB w/ take-out or delivery order
When: Sunday, December 20th
Time: 11am-8pm
Where: MSSB Hutch
Phone: 320.587.2760

Thank you for your support. I look forward to seeing the fun pictures on Sunday!

I wanted to take time this am to give a brief update on a few items following Wednesday’s board meeting. At this point nothing has changed, and we are still on a pause. We are expecting to hear more about a return date in the coming days and will communicate that information as it's presented.

As everyone is aware this season has been very challenging, and we have had a lot of changes to navigate up to this point and we clearly are not done. The main goal we have is to get the kids back on the ice playing safely. This season has been anything but normal and that trend seems to continue. Currently it looks like the season will be extended to the end of March hopefully making up some or all of the lost time during this pause.

The board has made an association wide decision to cancel all home and away tournaments for the 2020-2021 season. We have been hearing from the district that they are expecting overnight travel will not be permitted. At least not immediately. In addition, we are going to need weekends free for district game scheduling. We are going to face some very difficult scheduling as everyone including high school and figure skating return to play. I also want to remind all that district game scheduling will take priority over scrimmages. That’s a direct message from the district.

As I communicated at the start of this pause. The board will meet and review ice time at the conclusion of the season. At this time, we will review the year and determine if a refund will be provided to families. With all the unknows of when we will get back on the ice as well as the season being extended it’s to early to make any decisions regarding this topic.

Lastly, regardless of the pause all families are expected to participate and purchase raffle tickets. We have about 20 families that have not connected with Erin Knudtson to pay for and pick-up raffle tickets. This is not an option as the raffle will take place regardless if we are able to host a Hutch Hockey Day celebration. The last thing we want to do is remove a kid from playing so please get in contact with Erin Knudtson to pick up and pay for your raffle tickets ASAP.

We will be opening the west rink this weekend. Look for signs and barriers to follow the flow.

REMINDERS

• Masks worn by everyone at all times in building (exception for skaters on the ice)
• Come dressed, only change in and out of skates, only small bags allowed
• Enter and exit promptly, arrive 15 minutes or less before game or practice and exit ASAP
• Coaches are asked to return equipment used during practice to their proper spots
• Locker rooms to be monitored; benches are marked to keep people 6' apart
• No spectators allowed at practices, unless 10 years of age and under
• 2 spectators allowed for each skater at a sanctioned game (not scrimmages)

Note: hallway doors between the rinks will be closed and locked to prevent people from wandering and mixing pods.  

As we prepare for games and scrimmages, we have made some changes in the East arena that will also apply to practice times.

TRAFFIC FLOW is reversed

• You will now ENTER through the south two doors in the front of the building. Players will continue to the seating area by the concession stands or to the locker rooms. Spectators will go up the long staircase to get to the bleachers.
• To EXIT, players will remove skates in the designated lobby area and use the north two doors. Spectators will leave using the small flight of stairs at the bottom of the bleachers and proceed to the north two doors.

LOCKER ROOMS are now open!

• Players can use locker rooms for putting on skates and helmet; using the locker rooms to get dressed or
• undressed is not allowed
• For games/scrimmages, locker rooms may be used for pre-game talks
• Doors will remain open
• There will be two locker rooms per team
• Max capacity is noted on the door and 6’ spacing is marked on the floor; if a team is larger than allowed capacity, a player will need to exit before another can enter
• Skaters will bring their small bag with them to the bench (no hockey bags) and take skates off in the designated lobby area near the conference room, then exit the arena
• In the event there is no game/scrimmage after you, you may keep your small bag in the locker room and go back after the game; you still have 15 minutes to exit the arena
• Masks required for all, except for players on-ice and refs during games
• SafeSport certified locker room monitor must be present for each practice and game/scrimmage when locker rooms are in use; one monitor can cover two adjacent locker rooms with the doors open

LIVE STREAMING coming soon
Given the spectator limitations, we are looking into options to offer live streaming for games/scrimmages later this year. More details to come.

TRAVELING for games/scrimmages
Lastly, we ask that you respect protocols for other arenas when traveling for games/scrimmages. You are representing your team, association, and community. Check with your coach or team manager to get more details for each arena prior to the event. For any team coming to Burich arena, coaches/team managers can direct them to our COVID-19 page on the HHA website. 

Thanks again for you continued patience as we deal with this season of change.

Effective 10/21/20, MN Hockey has made some changes to their COVID-19 documentation due to hockey increasingly coming under the microscope by the media and health officials, making it even more important these protocols are being implemented, followed and enforced. Please note that many of these items have already been accounted for, but should still be reviewed. You can find the updated documents right from the HHA COVID-19 page. 

Below is a preview of the changes (also indicated in red on each of the impacted documents). As additional changes are made, we will make you aware and update the HHA COVID-19 page accordingly.

• If a member of a player's household tests positive, that player must stay home for 14 days. Even if the player receives a negative test result, they need to complete 14 days of quarantine before returning to the team. If another member of the household tests positive, the 14-day quarantine resets at the most recent positive test result.
• For practices or clinics, players are allowed one parent/guardian to be in the arena. Those parents/guardians should be socially distanced from others. Masks are required for any spectators, per the MDH mandate.
• It is recommended that players and officials arrive at the arena fully dressed, and at a minimum, half-dressed, with the exception of skates (coming into the arena with skate guards on is ideal) and helmets. Exceptions may be made for goalies, who may need to put on additional equipment at the rink. 
• Electronic whistles are an encouraged alternative for coaches to use during practices.
• To minimize time spent in confined spaces, players should leave the premises within 15 minutes of the end of practice.
• The scorer’s/announcer’s/penalty box should be staffed by no more than two persons, preferably from the same household, and should be staffed by the home team. If off-ice officials are not from the same household, they should maintain social distancing at all times. Masks should be worn by off ice officials at all times.
• Masks are required to be worn at all times inside arenas, with the exception being players practicing or playing games, and officials during game play. Coaches must wear masks at all times, including on the bench during games, and during practices.

Thank you for your continued understanding and compliance.

09.24.20 As we prepare to kick off our season this Saturday 9/26/2020 there’s some important information regarding Covid-19 as well as return to play guidelines that everyone needs to be aware of.

Please visit the HHA website using this link https://hutchhockey.pucksystems.com/covid to review a quick video of player drop off and rink flow. In addition to the video please read the HHA Preparedness Plan pdf. Pay special attention to the Quick Hits section of this document. The second pdf is Burich Arena Preparedness Plan highlights.

All the resources and links pertaining to Covid-19, as well as the Return to Play Guidelines are under the Covid-19 tab off the home page. Our priority for the association is to keep players healthy and follow protocol to continue playing throughout the 2020-2021 season. We ask that each of you take responsibility to educate yourself and follow these guidelines accordingly.
 

REGISTRATION

Registration will be open this week and available right from the HHA homepage. We will confirm when everything is up and running. You will need to first register as a USA Hockey member before following through with the HHA process. You can take care of that step now. Registration is later than normal, so we ask that you please act quickly and get your child(ren) registered by September 15, 2020. After that date, rates will go up $100 per player.

RATE INCREASE

When you register, you will notice that we had a rate increase this year. Prior to approving the increase, the Board researched rates for other D5 teams and beyond. Even with the increase, we are below the average rate. We understand this may be a hardship for your family and would like to encourage you to take advantage of the payment plan option. We will also be starting the wreath fundraiser this year sooner than usual to give families more time to sell. This is a great way to offset registration and team fees. If you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out to Josh Karg or Kati Katzenmeyer.

ICE TIMING

We will have one sheet of ice going in by Saturday, September 26th. Plans for the second sheet are still being worked out with the City and may depend on the MSHSL decision for hockey this year given COVID-19.

UPDATE TO BOARD POSITIONS

Adam Fink has resigned as the Director of Hockey Operations and has been appointed the Director of Mites. Tony Bridge has been appointed the new Director of Hockey Operations. Both of these positions will be up for election following the 2020-2021 season.

SAFESPORT CERTIFICATION

Now is a good time to complete your SafeSport certification. You must complete this training if you hold one of the following positions: all coaches at the traveling level - rostered and non-rostered, all Mite level rostered coaches, team managers, board members, and locker room monitors. SafeSport certification is required each season – either the Core SafeSport course or a Refresher course for those that have recently completed the Core course. This needs to be complete before you can take the ice. Check out the SafeSport page on the HHA site for more details. Contact Kati Katzenmeyer, SafeSport Coordinator with any questions.

Parents/guardians: USA Hockey and Minnesota Hockey have a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for abuse and misconduct which will be followed by HHA. Please be sure to review the 2020 SafeSport Handbook & Policies and cover important details with your player.

COVID UPDATE

Let me start by saying that we plan to have hockey this season starting in late September. What that looks like will vary from past seasons. As we plan for a return to the ice, we must have a plan that complies with guidelines set forth by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and its Guidance for Social Distancing, as well as local government officials. Given the breadth of details and how quickly everything changes, we will be sending out more information a week before practices start. In the meantime, please check out the PDF on the HHA homepage for more details about Phase 3 which opens on September 1.

APPAREL

We are working with Branded Solutions as a local vendor to work through Hutch Hockey apparel and masks. Ordering apparel is always optional. More details, including the online store, should be coming in a couple weeks.

FUN NEWS

• We are currently working with the Fairgrounds to secure a third sheet of ice in the Swine barn. This timing will be dependent on mother nature, but will likely be available from December until the end of February. It will be available to HHA players and coaches only with some open ice times, as well as dedicated times by playing level, i.e. all Mites, all Squirts, etc. This will provide the kids with a “pond hockey” atmosphere to have fun with their friends enjoying the game of hockey in a non-structured format. A SafeSport certified parent and/or coach must be present. There will be a heated trailer available to be used as a warming house for kids to put on their skates. We can have up to 10 people in the warming house at a time. As this idea develops, we will share more updates.
• Girls Hockey Fun Night is tomorrow, Tuesday, August 25th. All girls - Mites through Varsity - are encouraged to attend. The night will start with pizza at 6:30pm followed by games. Meet at the Masonic/West River Park by the RiverSong stage.

JERSEYS

As an association, we have an alternating schedule each year to ensure our jerseys are in adequate condition. This year the PeeWee team will be getting new jerseys, as well as adding to Squirts given the influx of players. 

Josh Karg

HHA President

Kati Katzenmeyer

HHA VP & SafeSport Coordinator