HI Parents,

 We are just past the midway point of a most unusual season, about 3/4 of the way for our mites. We have had stops and starts, teams and kids under quarantine, COVID-19 cases and more. But I am happy to continue to see teams on the ice playing the best sport in the world. While this year had had many twists and turns, just getting to the new year while still playing is no small feat.

The board continues to meet regularly to conduct business and our most recent meeting was this past Monday, January 11^th. I would like to provide a brief update to all our members on some items.

• Skills Sessions – We remain in a holding pattern currently and are not returning to Tuesday night skills or goalie skills. The chief reason is for safety and reduced risk of multiple team quarantines. The city of Haverhill Nurse has not been supportive of hockey activities. Her view is that anyone on the ice is subject to quarantine if there is a known positive case up to 48 hours after an event. If there is a skills session, then all players and spectators who are checked into the rink would be subject to that quarantine. The board has made the determination that the risk does not outweigh the benefit. We will continue to ask her to revisit her opinion and adjust as soon as possible.
• Practices – Much like skills sessions, we continue to have concerns about quarantine challenges with the city of Haverhill. For that reason, we are maintaining practices hours for Squirts – Bantams as single team practices. This limits the practices available by about 40% but maintains a minimal risk to large portions of the organization. We have left our mite level with multiple team practices due to the small size of the teams and typically weaker attendance. We have added Wednesdays to our schedule and continue to source additional hours if possible.
• Games – VHL continues to release scheduling in small batches. As they do, we add the games as well as practices to our schedules.
• Cash Calendars / Fundraising – We are encouraged to see many families taking extra calendars and are hopeful this fundraiser will remain a solid fundraiser for the organization. Collection details will be sent soon. Also look for additional emails with more restaurant nights. The takeout fundraisers seem to be a hit and we will keep trying to do more.
• League Fees – Thank you to those that have made their final payments for the season. For those that have not, be on the lookout for payment requests from the treasurer. Payments were due several months ago. While we understand that some folks have been hesitant to pay in full, we are confident that the VHL will continue to modify schedules to ensure a complete season. If for any reason there is a termination of play, we will certainly work to provide appropriate refunds where necessary.
• 2021-2022 Tryouts – Details are being worked on now and we hope to share info soon. Current plan would have tryouts commence at seasons end to reduce quarantine risk. Details will be share once finalized.

Thank you all for your continued support and understanding during this season.

Chris Baker

GHPYH President, Board of Directors

Hi parents,

 Quick update. 2020-2021 season is officially underway. The Haverhill Veterans Memorial Rink opened yesterday, and our teams began practicing. The VHL teams also started playing games over the weekend and we’re excited to be back on the ice. If you have not registered for the city registration, please do so immediately. The link is below and here.

Also, VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER. We must operate under strict rules if we want our kids to play this year. We’ve already received many reports of parents ignoring program guidelines at games and practices. To reiterated here are some key points for Veterans Memorial Rink:

• Players must arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before their ice session begins
• Players and 1 spectator must be registered with the City before entering Veterans Memorial Rink. Plan ahead.
• 1 Parent per player
• 0 Siblings allowed as spectators
• Players must come dressed into the rink (except skates, helmets, and gloves)
• Please adhere to in-building traffic flow. (get dressed on bench side, leave on penalty box side)
• All must wear a mask/neck gaiter/face covering (players may remove face coverings during practices)
• Spectators must socially distance (on the penalty box side of the rink)
• All must leave the rink within 10 minutes of the conclusion of practice
• Strongly encourage parents to wait outside or in their car when possible. Your kids will be fine!

These are not optional guidelines or suggestions. They are in place so that our kids can play hockey. They are state, city and league rules. If you choose not to follow them, your child will not be able to play.

If you have any concerns, please let me or a board member know.

Thank you,

Chris

Haverhill Rec dept player registration: www.haverhillrec.com

USA Hockey Registration: https://membership.usahockey.com/

Valley Hockey League Registration: https://admin.vahockey.com/VHL2021/playerregistration?code=8213DD4B2

******SPACE IS LIMITED. DON'T DELAY!*********

LEARN TO SKATE / LEARN TO PLAY REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
WHO - Open to Girls and Boys ages 4-10

WHEN / WHERE?

All session Take play at Haverhill Veterans Memorial Rink. Behind Haverhill High School

LEARN TO SKATE Session 1 begins on Saturday October 17th, 2020 at 11AM. This is a 10-week session, runs through December 19th.  Registration starts at 10:30AM Saturday October 19th, 2019 at Haverhill Veterans Rink or you may also register online by clicking register on-line.

LEARN TO PLAY begins on Saturday December 5th, 2020 at 10AM. This is a 10-week session, runs through February 20th. (no sessions over Christmas break). You must register beforehand by clicking register on-line.

LEARN TO SKATE Session 2 begins on Saturday January 9th, 2021 at 11AM. This is a 10-week session, runs through March 12th.  Registration starts at 10:30AM Saturday January 9th, 2021 at Haverhill Veterans Rink or you may also register online by clicking register on-line.

COST:

LEARN TO SKATE - $100

LEARN TO PLAY - $250 includes full equipment from TSR Hockey in Salem NH. $150 if you have your own equipment.

I WANT IN, NOW WHAT?

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

Email Fred Bishop at: 

Parents,

 As we reach the midway point in the summer, our voluntary summer skills are about to begin. We’re excited to return to some semblance of normalcy during these challenging times. Our goal is for the children in our program to safely return to the ice and prepare for the upcoming season. To do that, we all need to follow the guidelines set forth to ensure we maintain compliance with the rink and USA hockey guidelines and directives.

These guidelines will be enforced by the rink and our board membership. Please adhere to them so that we maintain our ability to use the facilities. They are as follows:

1. Players must come to the rink dressed and show up no more than 15 minutes prior to your scheduled ice session. Player must wear a mask entering and exiting the rink. Space will be provided to put your skates on in a socially distant atmosphere. No locker rooms will be available for use.
2. Players must leave within 15 minutes of the end of their session. Players cannot linger at the rink while other siblings are on the ice.
3. Valley Rinks strongly recommend drop off only. When that is unavailable, only 1 spectator per skater is allowed in the building. Spectators must wear face masks and practice safe social distancing.
4. Masks are not required while player are on the ice.
5. Players must provide their own water bottles and fill them at home. Water fountains will not be available.
6. If your player is ill, coughing, fever, or other flu like symptoms they should not attend
7. If any player of family member in attendance receives a COVID diagnosis after attending our sessions, they must report to the league president – . We will anonymously communicate a positive diagnosis to the families of participants in our program and the hour that the player attended a session. No further information will be provided to the program out of consideration to the privacy of that individual/family.
8. Hand sanitizing stations will be provided by the rink.
9. Participants and spectators must not spit under any circumstance.
10. Participant may only attend the session for their age group.

Session schedule:

Monday’s, 7pm - Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, Midget Goalies ONLY

Tuesday’s

Mites – 5pm-5:50pm

Squirts – 6pm-6:50pm

Peewees – 7pm-7:50pm

Bantams – 8pm-8:50pm

Midgets – 8pm-8:50pm

• Location: All Sessions will take place at Haverhill Ward Hill Forum. Address is 7 Parkridge rd Haverhill Ma
• Schedules: Sessions begin July 20th and 21^st and will run for 5 consecutive weeks. 
• What is it?: A summer conditioning program geared towards improving core hockey skills on ice.
• Is this mandatory?: These are not mandatory sessions. Kids may attend as many or as few sessions as they would like for their assigned age group. You are not required to attend both on and off ice sessions each day. No discounts are provided to your annual tuition for not attending some or all of these sessions. 
• Cost: There is NO additional cost. However, Team placement deposit must be made in order to attend these sessions. To make your team placement deposit, go to www.hpthunder.org. If you need to make arrangements with the league please email:  @gmail.com as soon as possible.  
• USA Hockey numbers are required for this session and the GHPYH season. We must have an updated, 2020/21 USA Hockey number on file in order to attend the session. Go to https://www.usahockeyregistration.com to sign up prior to the first session.  Once signed up you can upload it online as well. Click on "edit my account" then select the childs name. Finally scroll down and enter it in the USAH Confirm. # field and click submit. Please also email it to us at  .

Looking forward to getting the kids on the ice. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Chris Baker

GHPYH – President, Board of Directors