Dear GHPYH Members,

 As some of you have probably already heard, the Massachusetts Department of Health suspended all hockey activities for 2 weeks effective 10/23. I have attached the order for you to read, along with a statement from Mass Hockey. Currently, the order will be in place until November 7^th.  At this time, we do not have any more information beyond what is listed here about a return to play.

We know that this frustrating and sad for players and parents alike. We have worked extremely hard to provide a youth hockey experience during this most challenging year. To our knowledge, we have not had any COVID infections directly or indirectly related to our operation this season. We’ve had plenty of challenges regarding adherence to regulations, but most of our members have been incredibly supportive of program, city, league, and state guidelines. We hope this is a very temporary reset.

When we planned for this season, we also planned for temporary pauses and have created a process for partial adjustments if there are material changes to the season. For now, we are expecting the league to modify schedules but maintain a full slate of games. If that doesn’t happen, we will have a plan to adjust tuition accordingly based on a prorated game rate for each age. We also have a per practice rate for each age level and will work to adjust tuition if we find that a complete season is not realistic. As of now, we think we can provide a full seasons worth of games, practices, etc. The rink can stay open into April and VHL could extend the season to meet their game targets. Should the pause become longer, that will require a reevaluation.

If you are concerned about tuition or need to have a more immediate conversation about 2020-2021 tuition, please email and .

Along with the city rink leadership, we remain confident in our ability to administer a safe youth hockey experience when we are permitted to do so. In the meantime, we will continue to evaluate our protocols and keep in close contact with Veteran’s Memorial Rink, VHL, GRAF instructional league, and Mass Hockey officials.  

I hope everyone continues to remain healthy and safe during these times. Keep the kids active and be ready for a triumphant return to the rinks!

Chris Baker

President, Greater Haverhill Pentucket Youth Hockey

Parents,

 I have been in contact with the VHL and our City contacts today on a number of items. First, the BOH has begun regular inspections of the Haverhill Valley Forum rink and parking lot areas. Be on the lookout for additional info from VHL shortly, but they are very concerned about congretation outside the rink to watch games via live barn in a tailgating environment. I asked when they'd begin allowing 1 spectator but they did not have a clear answer. They are being extremely cautious so they do not get shut down for all activiites by the city. Please social distance, wear a mask and do not congregate will the kids are playing. 

Additionally, the Veternans rink leadership stated that the BOH will be inspecting the rink and parking lot multiple times in the next few days. They will be there to inspect protocals inside and outside the rink of both participants and parents.

Though I feel like a broken record, I find it necessary to continue with the constant updates.  Most folks are following guidelines, but we still have others that do not. We are all in this together and it's more important than ever that we adhere to the guidance set forth to allow our children to participate. I hope you all understand and can appreciate that we'd rather have our kids play with restrictions vs. them not being able to play. Whether you like the rules or not, they are the rules.  We appreciate everyone's attention and adherance to them as the city continues to reduce its case counts. 

Thank you,

Chris Baker

GHPYH President, Board of Directors

Parents,

Unfortunately, we continue to have issues with our spectator policies at rinks so I need to send another reminder and a plea. I assume you have seen the news articles about various COVID issues being tied to hockey. Additionally, the State of NH closing all rinks for 2 weeks to reevaluate their guidelines. We are on proverbial thin ice as it is. We don't need any attention or additional risk to COVID outbreaks within our program. The whole goal is to keep kids on the ice, by whatever means necessary. 

For our practice rink, Haverhill Veterans Memorial rink, we worked very hard to all for the continued operation during the city's recent spike in cases. We've made commitments to the city that we would follow these guidelines. Failure to do so will risk our ability to use this rink - our ONLY practice facility. As a reminder, here are the policies we MUST follow:

We may continue to use the facility, but we will enhance and reaffirm our protocols. Currently, we are making the following adjustments:

• Masks or neck gaiters must be worn at all times when getting dressed and undressed, no exceptions. If your players can wear their neck gaiters/mask while on the ice, please have them do so. 

• Spectators are not permitted at Veterans Memorial rink for players Peewee and older. One spectator may attend a mite/squirt practice. Siblings are not permitted under any circumstance. 

• Spectators may enter the building to assist peewee players in getting skates on but must leave as soon as they can do so.

• ALL players must come to the rink wearing all equipment except skates, helmets, and gloves. This includes bantam and midget aged players

• ALL players must depart the building immediately after their session. Take your skates off and leave. You are NOT to remove all your other gear.

• Parents MUST not congregate in parking lots under any circumstance, for games or practices. Stay in your car, socially distance, and wait for your players to exit the building.

The Haverhill Board of Health, inspectional services and police have been instructed to make regular trips to the rinks. They will be observing adherence and report any discretions for review of the exemption. If we don’t follow all our guidelines, and these enhanced guidelines, we will lose the ability for Haverhill students to use the facility. Please work with us to keep the kids on the ice.

For all other rinks, the VHL has been keeping a list of local rink guidelines. It can be found here: https://www.valleyhockeyleague.com/pages/game-rink-guidlines/

If the rink you are attending a game is not listed, please call them directly to receive guidance. We do not know any more than you do. But don't expect more than 1 spectator. We cannot control what other teams do. We just need to do our part as members of the Thunder community to keep the kids on the ice. 

Thank you all for your attention to this. If you have any questions or concerns please let me know. 

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

Hi Parents,

 The registration information from the city has been provided to us. Please see below. Do not delay registering your child and at least 1 parent. Do NOT register siblings that do not currently play on a team. Please only register your child for the correct team they are currently assigned to. Any changes to the roster will be adjusted by the league and the city at that time. 

This is all the info I have in terms of how to register. It is straightforward. Thank you for your prompt attention

**********

How to agree to waivers and sign up for contact tracing for Veterans Memorial Rink

1) Using your preferred web browser, navigate to www.haverhillrec.com

2) If you have reserved a facility or registered for a Haverhill Recreation Department Program, you can simply log in by click the navy “Log in” button on the left side of the home page.

3) If you do not have an account, you will have to create one using the instructions below: How to create an account on haverhillrec.com

• a) Click the navy “Create New Account” button on the left side of the page
• b) Enter our email. Click “continue”.
• c) Fill out all the required information including a password. Click “continue”.
• d) You have now created an account. If you need to add additional family members, you may do so on the displayed account screen. *at any time in the future, you may log in to your account and add family members from your account page*

4) Click “Home” from the top banner on any page.

5) Click the orange “Veterans Rink Registrations” on the home page.

6) Click your desired program on the left menu bar.

7) To the right of your team name, click the blue page icon.

8) Answer all the questions on the page honestly and click “yes” to agree to the waiver shown.

9) Click “Add to Cart”. *you may register multiple family members at this point by repeating steps 4-8 before continuing. NOTE: your cart will expire after 15 minutes and delete all contents*

10) Click “Check out”

11) A fee of $0 will display. Click “Pay”.

12) Registration will complete. A receipt will be displayed on the screen with an option to print. You will also automatically get a receipt emailed to you when completing the previous step.

******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