Released: December 3, 2020 – REVISED December 7, 2020

The following document provides supplemental information and requirements for participation in the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association and replaces the previously issued guidance for NEW JERSEY TEAMS only, dated November 19, 2020 and December 3, 2020. It is based upon NJ Governor Murphy Executive Order 204 of November 30, 2020 and the NJ Department of Health’s revised policy dated December 4, 2020. Please contact your Club President with any questions, so they can manage the questions through their Leagues and the Affiliate.

NEW JERSEY BASED TEAMS–

1. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Executive Order 204, issued on November 30th, 2020, and states (in part);  Practices and competitions for organized, group, and/or competitive sports defined as “Low Risk”, “Medium Risk”, and “High Risk” by DOH’s “Guidance for Sports Activities” are prohibited in indoor settings. Executive Order Nos. 168 and 187 (2020) are hereby superseded to the extent inconsistent with this paragraph. (Goes into effect 12/5/2020 6AM)
2. It is hereby restated that Executive Order No. 194 (2020) prohibits facilities within the State from hosting indoor youth sports competitions between two or more out-of-state teams, regardless of whether a New Jersey team is participating in the competition.

This order effectively “pauses” all  “organized, group or competitive” ice hockey games and team practices in an indoor setting within the State of New Jersey until January 2, 2021, unless otherwise modified by the New Jersey Governor.

On December 4, 2020, the NJ Department of Health released the following information –

Guidance for Sports Activities

December 4, 2020  (https://nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/COVID_GuidanceForSportsActivities.pdf)

Youth and Adult Indoor Sports Pause
Executive Order No. 204 (2020) pauses indoor organized and team sports practices and competitions as of December 5, 2020, through January 2, 2021. This includes all practices and competitions of organized, competitive, and/or group sports (regardless of the risk level defined elsewhere in this document) at any facility (e.g., school, indoor fitness facility, fieldhouse, sports complex). Collegiate and Professional Sports Activities are not affected by the Order.

Activities not associated with indoor “practices and competitions” are permitted, such as:

• Group lessons and individual instruction activities (e.g., dance classes at a dance studio; swimming lessons at a pool), subject to the current gatherings limit;

• Weight rooms may remain open to athletes for individual use;

• Lap swimming in pools, limited to one person per lane; and

• Group fitness classes (e.g., pilates, yoga), subject to the current gatherings limit.

Activities associated with indoor “practices and competitions” are not permitted, such as:

• Clinics, skills and drills activities involving a sports team;

• Strength and conditioning practices;

• Scrimmages; and

• Group trainings for a sports team.

All of the activities above continue to be permitted in outdoor settings, subject to applicable restrictions and health and safety protocols.

The Affiliate recognizes and sanctions “Group lessons and Individual Instruction” for USA Hockey registered athletes taught by USA Hockey registered and accredited coaches through their respective Clubs, and subject to capacity requirements for recreational facilities as determined by the State of New Jersey. There can be no activities scheduled as an organized team function within a facility. 

The Affiliate recommends that its member players, coaches and officials refrain from unnecessary travel.

GAMES & PRACTICES AT NEW JERSEY OUTDOOR FACILITIES: Permitted
GAMES & PRACTICES AT NEW JERSEY INDOOR FACILITIES: Not Permitted
GROUP LESSONS AND INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION – INDOORS: Permitted
SPECTATORS: None, by State order, indoor or outdoor
OUT-OF-STATE ATHLETES: Permitted, if registered with USA Hockey
USE OF LOCKERS: Not Permitted, by State order, only for handwashing and/or lavatory use.
MASK REQUIREMENTS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER (OUTDOOR) GAMES BY COACHES: Required
MASK REQUIREMENTS IN GAMES BY OFFICIALS: Not required

ENFORCEMENT –

The Affiliate will dispatch supervisors and rely on other information sources to verify compliance.

PENALTIES –

Violations of State-required COVID-19 mitigation requirements highlighted herein will be subject to a disciplinary hearing, and verified violations shall subject the Club to penalties, including but not limited to; Club or team season-ending suspension, loss of tournament-bound status not to exceed three (3) years suspension from all AAHA participation of those individuals deemed responsible for the violation(s) for a period not to exceed (3) years.