The type of hockey activities that may occur when hockey returns will be determined by BC Hockey / the PCAHA, in consultation with ViaSport and.the appropriate public health authorities. 

In its recent Return to Play document, the PCAHA has indicated that subject to ViaSport clearance, development will be the focus from Labour Day to Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, it is contemplated that game play could begin for U11 (Atom) and older subject to restrictions and public health approval. 

At the request of the Province of B.C., viaSport has led the creation of a set of guidelines on how to resume sport while operating safely during this pandemic. As outlined in B.C.’s Restart Plan, sport activities can resume in accordance with the viaSport Return to Sport Guidelines and public health protocols. The PCAHA and BC Hockey have consulted with ViaSport and have published the following return-to-play documents: 

PCAHA Return-to-Play document here: www.pcaha.ca 

Via Sport Return to Sport – www.viasport.ca/return-sport 

BC Hockey – www.bchockey.net 

The Avalanche operate out of 4 arenas, Canlan North Shore, Harry Jerome / Karen Magnusson and West Vancouver and we have been informed that all of these facilities will be open for hockey in the month of September. 

Since these arenas are operated by different organizations, they have different restrictions in place. At this time, we anticipate restrictions on the number of people on the ice and this will impact our ability to schedule sessions such as split ice practices. We have included more information about the requirements of each facility in the Avalanche return to hockey plan. 

Arena operations have been delayed by covid-19 and in adapting to public health restrictions and this has delayed ice contracts. We have had regular meetings with Canlan, North Van Rec and West Vancouver and anticipate having more news in the coming weeks about the ice schedule. We know that this is an important way for families to plan for the season and we recognize that this delay is an inconvenience.

We are committed to releasing a schedule as soon as we possible can. 

Hockey as a sport is not without risk. Due to the nature of the sport and the environment in which hockey is played, the risk of contracting Covid-19 is present. Until Covid-19 is either eradicated, a vaccine is developed, or a cure is found, there is no way of completely eliminating the risk of infection. 

Steps will been undertaken to mitigate the risk of contracting Covid-19 when participating in the sport, including plans for distancing, hand washing, cleaning and limiting contacts. 

Families will need to assess their own risk of participating in the sport. 

A development focus means a commitment to improving through practice, training and fun. The Avalanche will be committed to having a creative and innovative approach to a season (or part of a 

season) that might be a departure from normal. This approach will also be age appropriate recognizing the different needs of our range of players from U18 players to U7 players. 

As with other season, we will work closely with Advantage Hockey on our development program. Advantage coaches will work with all of our teams and will have an active role in developing on-ice sessions which are engaging, fun and create an exciting hockey experience. 

Evaluations will allow us to group players in like skills groups and to focus on development. Evaluations may run longer than normal and may be structured differently than in other seasons due to covid restrictions and ice availability. Evaluations will allow us to form teams/groups and limit contacts in the hockey space. Players that are interested in playing on our more competitive track teams should register for evaluations as soon as possible and before August 31st. 

We anticipate that evaluations will begin after September 8th. 

This season we will also follow the U11 Canadian Player Pathway. As a part of this program, Avalanche on-ice sessions will be held prior to the start of U11 evaluations. 

Information about the U11 (Atom) Pathway can be found here:

https://www.bchockey.net/Files/U11- Pathway-e.pdf 

The Avalanche has changed its refund policies this season to reflect the unique circumstances. If you withdraw prior to September 1 – a full registration refund will be provided less a $30.00 administration fee. 

September 1 to September 30 – 50% of registration fee refunded. 

October 1 to October 31 – 25% of registration fee refunded. 

Cancellations/withdrawals must be made in writing or email and will be dated once received. 

Cancellations/withdrawals due to medical reasons, or other exceptional circumstances, will be reviewed by the Board on an individual basis. 

Refund opportunities due to 2020-2021 season delays, postponements or cancellations mandated by authorities due to COVID-19-related matters will be considered by the Board if circumstances arise. 

Keep your child home and out of the hockey environment. It is also important to communicate with your physician and public health authority, ensuring you follow the steps identified. 

Players who test positive for Covid-19 must also report this information to the Avalanche Covid-19 Communications Officer. Coaches, team managers, and HCSPs must report to the Avalanche Covid-19 Communications Officer if they have been informed by a Team Member of symptoms of Covid-19 or if a Team Member has left a practice or game due to symptoms of Covid-19. 

If a parent or family member tests positive for COVID–19, the player and their family will need to stay out of the hockey environment. They should contact their physician and public health authority for instructions. 

Parents of family members that test positive for Covid-19 must also report this information to the Avalanche Covid-19 Communications Officer. 

Coaches, team managers, and HCSPs must report to the Avalanche Covid-19 Communications Officer if they have been informed by a parent or family member of symptoms of Covid-19. 

Parents or family members who have been in close contact with someone who is experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, awaiting the results of a Covid-19 test, or has tested positive for Covid-19, must self-isolate for at least 14 days before attending practices or games 

If someone on your child’s team tests positive, public health authority guidelines will determine contact tracing and isolation requirements. It is possible, therefore, that one diagnosis on a team could lead to that team being required to pause hockey activities until the public health authority determines it is safe to return. 

The player should follow up with their physician and the public health line. As a precaution they should stay out of the hockey environment. If players are displaying signs of illness, they will be asked to leave the hockey environment. Please do not endanger the health of your teammates and coaches and stay home if you are sick. 

It is recommended anyone entering the facility should wear a cloth mask when physical distancing cannot be followed (Canlan currently strongly encourages the wearing of masks). Continue to monitor public health authority guidelines specific to wearing masks. 

Wearing a mask alone will not prevent the spread of COVID-19. You must consistently and strictly adhere to good hygiene and public health measures, including frequent hand washing and physical distancing. 

The PCAHA and BC Hockey will introduce rules outlining game play after Thanksgiving (assuming public health approval). These restrictions may include 4 on 4 and playing certain teams to limit contacts. 

Canlan, West Vancouver and NVRC will all have restrictions on the number of players on the ice. At these times these restrictions will accommodate a typical team. The current restrictions will not allow for split-ice practices changing our current practices and schedule. 

We are awaiting guidance from BC Hockey. We anticipate that clinics will be held virtually. 

Andrew Smyth, the NSFIHA President, will act as the communications officer, and will be responsible for providing updates to the officials, participants, volunteers and parents within their jurisdiction.  You can always contact him at 

It is recommended that public health authority guidelines are adhered to and that instruction be given practicing physical distancing. It is important to note that the safety person or coach may need to be within two metres of a player if the player suffers an injury, but the safety person or coach should wear a mask and, as recommended in the Hockey Canada Safety Program, non-latex gloves if treating a player for an injury. Hockey Canada will have Covid-19 specific safety training. 

At this stage, the PCAHA and BC Hockey will not be providing permission to attend or host tournaments. 

This will be determined by public health authority and facility guidelines. Families should be prepared to minimize the number of parents/guardians/spectators that attend in order to limit the number of people in the facility.

Some equipment should be washed (e.g. jerseys, pant shells, socks) after each practice/game, following manufacturer guidelines. It is important that players ensure all equipment is kept clean at all times. 

Water bottles should be labelled and washed after each practice or game. 

It is important to follow guidelines specific to car seats and seat belts, and it would be recommended to wear only equipment that can be worn safely under current laws or guidelines. Hockey Canada recommends that players enter the facility in as much hockey equipment as possible, rather than changing together in dressing rooms where social distancing may be difficult to maintain. When player safety might be compromised by riding in a car seat fully dressed in hockey equipment, the child should leave home partially dressed in their equipment, and should put on the remainder of the equipment after arriving at, but before entering, the facility. 

Yes! Hockey this season may be a little different but the return of play can still provide us with the things that truly make the game great – time with our friends, taking those first strides across a rink, and competing for the Avalanche. 

During the pandemic, we have all had to make changes to the way that we live. This season of hockey, we ask that you all make the commitment to keep each other safe, so that we can continue to enjoy the game that we love. 

See the resources listed below and those posted below the FAQs page:

• BC's Restart Plan
• Provincial Health Officer Orders
• Vancouver Coastal Health Statement on COVID-19
• BC Centre for Disease Control Info on COVID-19
• Government of Canada Info on COVID-19