GTHL will restart Monday, with limits

Youth hockey players in Greater Toronto will be back on the ice starting Monday, but there will be capacity limits at rinks and in some dressing rooms.

The move, which comes after the province announced an easing of COVID-related restrictions last week, means rinks and indoor sports facilities must run at 50 per cent capacity in the building, and also the stands.

“There will be limits in dressing rooms that do not allow for social distancing,” the Greater Toronto Hockey League, the largest of its kind in the world, said in an online statement.

“On-ice programming, however, will be able to resume under normal conditions.”

Practices and skills training can restart Monday, with games beginning Feb. 4 for the competitive and house-league levels.

The GTHL says it will update competitive schedules and is “fully committed to completing the regular-season schedule for competitive games.

The current playoff structure is currently under review to determine what, if any, modifications will be needed — including potentially extending the playoff end date — in order to complete the postseason.”

House-league plans will be left up to individual clubs.

In total, the GTHL has 40,000 players around Greater Toronto, including teams based in Toronto, Mississauga, Markham and Vaughan.

All competitive hockey games were paused last month, followed by no on-ice activities in January because of COVID restrictions.

Vaccine requirements will remain in place for players.

York Region public health says it already has a “letter of instruction for sports facilities requiring people age 12 and older who participate in indoor organized sports, including players, coaches and officials to provide proof of vaccination.

Effective Jan. 1, children who turn 12 years old in 2022 have a grace period of 12 weeks (three months) from their birthday, during which they will not need to show proof of vaccination at indoor sports and recreation facilities.”

Patrick Casey, York Region’s director of corporate communications, said prior to the most recent COVID-19 restrictions, “sporting events and tournaments contributed significantly to the spread of COVID-19 across Ontario; specifically, York Region experienced significant COVID-19 outbreaks linked to local hockey leagues in our community.”

But he added, “York Region Public Health supports the return of sports, as we know the benefits they provide for social, physical and mental well-being.”

The GTHL says it will update its protocols and post them online on Sunday.