Category: COVID-19
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Michigan to Allow Ice Rinks in the Lower Peninsula to Reopen October 9
The Detroit Free-Press reported that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order to allow ice rinks in the Lower Peninsula to reopen on Friday, October 9. Also reopening on that date are movie theaters, “bowling centers, indoor climbing facilities, trampoline parks, and more.” This is potentially a vast expansion of the number of people…
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Greater Toronto Hockey League “Pauses” Until After New Year
The Canadian Press reported that the Greater Toronto Hockey League has paused its planned activities for the rest of 2020. The article explains the decision was made “as cases of the novel coronavirus continue to soar in Ontario’s most populous city.” The league said it is acting on advice from the City of Toronto Health…
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Morgantown Ice Arena Repairs Approved, City Scrapes Money Together
WAJR reported repairs to Morgantown Ice Arena were approved by the Morgantown Board of Parks and Recreation (BOPARC). This appears to clear the way for an important local ice arena in Northern West Virginia to open for the 2020-2021 season. The article indicates that BOPARC pulled together money previously earmarked for other purposes to make the…
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DVHL: Our Games Won’t Be Sanctioned by USA Hockey if We Don’t Abide by the Rules
In a letter to its members on Friday, The Delaware Valley Hockey League, a large Philadelphia Area Youth Hockey League, explained the impact of the 3rd Circuit stay of Judge Stickman’s ruling against Governor Wolf in the Federal Court Case known as County of Butler et al v. Wolf et al. DVHL President Colleen Marinari said: “While…
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Tremendous Pressure From Health Department to Close Down Recreational Hockey in Toronto
Sean Fitz-Gerald in The Athletic1 reported Friday that the head of public health for the City of Toronto is recommending a four-week suspension of indoor team sports to combat sharply rising COVID-19 infection rates. The article says: “Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Dr. Eileen de Villa said there had been evidence of the…
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Minnesota Winter High School Sports Season Planned with 30% Cut in Games
WCCO reported on Monday The Minnesota State High School League approved its winter sports season 30% fewer games than last season. Practice for Boys Ice Hockey is scheduled to begin on November 23. Girls Ice Hockey practice will begin on November 30. According to the article, “Under the current COVID-19 guidelines set by the state’s…
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3rd Circuit Stays Judge Stickman’s Decision in County of Butler et al vs Wolf et al
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that a three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a request from Governor Wolf’s Administration to stay the decision that ruled the governor’s orders restricting gathering sizes and ordering non-essential businesses to close were unconstitutional. The order, which was published just after noon on Thursday, is two…
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Is Expansion of New Jersey Hockey On Hold Because of COVID-19 Contact Tracing Issues in Middletown?
The Atlantic District began its “Let Hockey Play” initiative more than three weeks ago. The goal of this lobbying effort was to convince lawmakers (and particularly the governors of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) to raise the number of participants allowed to be in indoor hockey arenas from 25 to 50 at a time, so…
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North Park Ice Rink in Elyria Ohio Does Not Have the Staff to Open During Weekends
The Chronicle-Telegram reported that North Park Ice Rink in Elyria Ohio may be closed on weekends this season calling into question how affiliated youth hockey programs will operate. The root cause of this problem appears to be after effects from layoffs of arena staff during the COVID-19 lockdown. According to the article, “When the Parks…
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Pennsylvania House Failed to Override Governor Wolf’s Veto of School Sports Bill
The Patriot-News reported that The Pennsylvania House of Representatives came up 5 votes short of overriding Governor Wolf’s veto of HB 2787, the School Sports bill. This closely watched bill would have explicitly allowed local school districts to establish attendance limits at Kindergarten through Grade 12 sports and extracurricular activities. The final vote to override…