Hockey camps working to adapt to changing COVID restrictions

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — Hockey Alberta’s cancelling of the winter season has many minor hockey players looking to the spring development season to get in some ice-time.

However, the changing restrictions are making it hard for hockey camps to plan because they are not sure what to expect, and they need to have players registering now.

Duane Sutter with Sutter Skills Development Camp says they have put together a COVID-19 plan for their camp, which will run for six weeks in south Calgary in May and June.

“A lot of things change on the fly. Last spring, we had the camp ready to roll, and we had to cancel it due to the COVID situation within 48 hours, we refunded all of the families, which was very beneficial to them. This year our Sutter Skills development team has developed a COVID commitment, and it’s backed by a no-risk refund to join the skill program,” Sutter said.

They have also posted their entire COVID-19 policy on their website.

He says even though their camp in south Calgary isn’t until May and June, they need to get players registered now.

“It’s a major commitment to find and purchase ice around the city. We have been pretty fortunate to secure ice in Lake Bonavista and De Winton Scott Seaman Arena,” he stated.

He says there are a lot of things that need to be organized ahead of the camp.

“You also have to order jerseys and swag because of the delay due to COVID, so we have to plan to order early, and so the registration commitment is critical in order to make those plans,” he explained.

Sutter says they will follow the guidelines laid out by Alberta Health Services and the arenas where they are planning.