Hockey Regina official ‘optimistic’ on fall return

As provincial body strategizes next steps, registration opens, waiting game ticks on

Hockey Regina Inc. is taking a dayto-day approach in its recovery from COVID -19, but the long-term prognosis is improving.

That was the general sentiment this week after Hockey Canada essentially lifted a nationwide ban on sanctioned hockey activities.

The decision allows each regional branch — in this case, the Saskatchewan Hockey Association — to work with local government and health authorities in determining an appropriate return to the ice.

Although a final verdict isn’t expected anytime soon, at least it’s on the radar.

“I can see a light at the end of the tunnel now; it gives us some hope,” said HRI executive director Blair Watson. “The guys I talk to, they’re ready to get on with stuff now. Kids are sitting at home. They haven’t been doing anything for three months. People are ready to move on.”

It remains to be seen when that might happen, but Hockey Regina did take an initial step by opening registration for the 2020-21 season on Monday — about two weeks later than usual.

The early results were promising as approximately 250 players registered in just the first two days.

“We’re tracking slightly ahead of last year,” Watson said. “We figure we’re going to be similar (to last season) by our early bird (deadline) at the end of June.”

While some parents jumped at the chance to enrol their kids in minor hockey, others are expected to take a wait-and-see approach.

Last season, just under 2,700 players registered with Hockey Regina programs.

“We anticipate our numbers to be down (in the end),” Watson said. “What that number is going to be, I wouldn’t even hazard a guess. It could be anywhere from five to 25 per cent. I don’t know.”

Hockey Regina hopes to create some incentive by not increasing upfront fees this season. An extra month has also been added to the optional payment plan, assisting those who might still be struggling financially.

Based upon COVID-19 trends, Watson is “optimistic” about being able to start the 2020-21 season on time — or close to it.

He also supports Hockey Canada’s decision to place the fate of next season in the hands of each individual jurisdiction.

“Saskatchewan and Manitoba are way ahead of Quebec (in terms of COVID-19 numbers),” Watson said. “So don’t hold us back just because Quebec has a lot more issues than us.”

Hockey Regina will work closely with the provincial governing body to come up with a game plan. When the green light is given, it’ll be a collaborative decision in conjunction with government and health experts.

Hockey Regina typically begins player evaluations and assembles teams after Labour Day, followed by the first games in early October.

If the season is pushed back, evaluations could be condensed to help expedite a late start. Hockey Regina would also need to speak to the city about accessing ice further into the spring.

“We’re hoping to see hockey this fall,” Watson said. “Once the kids can go back to school, that’s the first step.

“It could be anywhere from September through December (for hockey to resume).”

At that point, local organizers will have to finalize additional safety measures. It’s generally assumed that some form of limitations will be placed on spectators, but it’s less certain how the game itself might be altered and how many players will be allowed on the ice.

“Is it going to be regular hockey?" Watson wondered. “Is it going to be 3-on-3 or 4-on-4? It could be that too.”

Given how quickly the COVID -19 landscape can change, those answers are not imminent.

“You’d go nuts trying to figure all those potentials out," Watson said. “We’ve talked internally about what-ifs and minor tweaks that we’re probably going to have to do, anyway. But the nuts and bolts, we’re a ways away from figuring out what we could and couldn’t do.”

In other words, the waiting game continues.

“We’re waiting for what the government tells us,” Watson added. “We’re fully prepared to say, ‘Here are the rules we have to abide by.’ If guys say, ‘I don’t like those rules?’ Well, you have the choice of not playing.

“We have schedules ready to go for September. We’ll adjust accordingly.”