The Battlefords Minor Hockey Association features between 400 and 500 kids within it’s multiple teams and various age groups. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Minor Hockey Pause

BMHA postpone all activities for time being

Nov 27, 2020 | 1:01 PM

The Battlefords Minor Hockey Association (BMHA) announced Friday, the organization will suspend all activity until Dec. 17.

The announcement follows the provincial address this week, implementing further restrictions including the suspension of all team sports and activities until at least mid-December.

The new rules do allow athletes 18 years of age and under to continue practicing, conditioning and skills training. However, they would be required to do so in groups of eight or fewer, while still maintaining at least three metres of physical distancing between participants at all times.

Just eight players allowed on the ice at one time would make teams unable to even practice together as a group. This, coupled with the ongoing concern surrounding potential staffing issues if coaches or other team personnel are required to self-isolate due to interactions in their everyday business life, ultimately have led to the postponement of even practices and training.

President of BMHA, Kyle Kellgren said it was not an easy decision to cease all practices and training activities altogether. However, he said it seemed to be the responsible thing to do, following the organization’s board meeting last night to discuss their best course of action moving forward.

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“It’s about what’s best for hockey, what’s best for the community, what’s best for our kids, and for the coaches,” he said. “Ultimately it all kept coming back to let’s protect everybody. The cases are out of control right now, so let’s be a part of doing what’s right.”

Kellgren said while they can’t know what the future holds, the local Minor Hockey Association remains hopeful and optimistic for a return to the ice, come the not-so-distant future.

“The big thing is, we need to get the cases down and everybody in the community has to do their part,” he said. “It’s three weeks, so we’re encouraging families to take time together and hopefully by taking this pause we can get to brighter days into January; get the cases down, and hopefully be able to [finish] the full season after the New Year.”

Kellgren said he appreciates the patience and ongoing support from families affected by the postponement, as well as the hard work of the board to make a difficult decision they believe to be the right one moving forward.

“The BMHA board is a very dedicated group,” Kellgren said. “It’s a volunteer position, and I am very proud of work they do. We had a great discussion about it and there was a lot of back and forth that led to this decision. We just feel like we’re doing what’s best for the area, so we’ll pause till Dec. 17, and then hopefully things get better and get rolling again.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1