Updates include most up to date information from our partners, cohort/coaching updates, and information regarding the TeamSnap Health Check’.

Please read through!

The NWW are excited to welcome back all players to our program. COVID-19 has put us in unprecedented times and as such we will need to adjust our program accordingly.  The Association, Coaches, Players and Parents all share in the responsibility to ensure that all safety protocols are adhered to.  The Northwest Warriors Return to Play Program has been designed under the following principles:

1. NWW will follow the guidelines of Hockey Canada, Hockey Alberta, and Hockey Calgary
2. NWW will follow the guidelines of Alberta Health Services.
3. NWW will follow the guidelines of each arena that we play at.
   1. Crowchild Twin Arena
   2. West Hillhurst Arena
   3. Brentwood Arena
   4. Triwood Arena
4. NWW is committed to each player in each age group receiving equal ice and coaching time.
5. NWW will enforce the Respect in Sport principles and the Game & Conduct and Fair Ice policies
6. NWW will require all players, parents, and coaches to be flexible and understanding as we return to hockey. This season will be unlike any other, but our focus will continue to be keeping the kids on the ice.
7. Throughout the year we will continue to be guided by NWW Mission Statement

 

Northwest Warriors Mission Statement 

Northwest Warriors exist to provide an enjoyable, rewarding hockey experience to participants where they can develop a strong sense of community while growing socially, physically and emotionally.

Core Values

The Warriors will continuously strive to achieve both individual and team success while adhering to this Mission Statement and delivering a hockey experience that is safe, fair, stimulating, and delivered in a respectful environment while observing a suitable balance of the following core values.

• The Participant – Provide individuals with experiences that allow them to enjoy the game while developing personally in an environment free of bias, discrimination, harassment and abuse.
• The Team – Foster commitment to a group through opportunities for working, learning and achieving together.
• The Game of Hockey – Teach and develop skills suitable for participation and to maximize enjoyment and appreciation of the game.

 

Due to Covid-19, NWW has made significant procedural changes, including:

1. Cohorts

A COVID-19 cohort, also referred to as a bubble, circle, or safe squad is a small group whose members – always the same people – do not always keep 2 metres apart.  Under the current “Guidance for Cohorts”, health authorities have suggested limiting the total number of other cohort groups to which people belong.  Under the current “Guidance For Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation – Stage 2”, health authorities have suggested that athletes should select one sports cohort for the duration of the Development Phase.

1. Players and coaches can only be part of one sporting cohort at a time. If an individual wishes to move to a new Sport Cohort, she/he is to complete a 14-day non-participation period prior to joining the new Cohort. School-based cohorts will not restrict participation in minor hockey.
2. Cohort size is set at 50 and this will include players, coaches, and on ice officials.
3. Cohort size does not include parents, spectators, or minor officials.
4. Consequences for playing more than one sporting cohort are currently being reviewed. The consequences may include suspensions or fines.
5. Cohorts will be tiered by skill level after an evaluation period.

2. Mini Teams

Under the Development Phase we will be introducing Mini Teams.

1. Each tiered cohort will consist of 3-4 Mini Teams of 9-12 players each, depending on Age Category and the number of players registered.
2. Mini Teams within each cohort will be parity teams; meaning that we will make our best efforts to balance skill levels across the Mini Teams.
3. Mini Teams will be restricted to practicing and playing games against teams within their cohort.

3. Evaluations

Evaluations will be required in order to create tiered cohorts. The evaluations will adhere to the following physical distancing restrictions.

1. All age groups will evaluate using physically distanced, skill based drills. (No compete drills)
2. No age groups will play any games during evaluations
3. Each player will have a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 4 opportunities to skate the evaluation drills.
4. Drills will be designed for specific age groups

4. COVID-19 Protocols for ALL ice times.  Be Prepared!

Appropriate contact tracing for COVID-19 will be an important aspect for all Northwest Warriors players, coaches, parents, volunteers and fans.  We are required by Alberta Health Services to track and maintain records in respect of all participant interactions over the course of the season.    The check-in procedure for participants will be required for every ice time.  As with all COVID-19 restrictions, anyone who is exhibiting symptoms or has been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 will not permitted to attend practices, games, facilities or related events.

 

It will be mandatory for each player to complete the COVID-19 Alberta Health Daily Checklist.

1. TeamSnap has added a ‘Health Check’ section to the app (more details to follow). Download the app and be prepared to complete the Daily Screening checklist prior to arriving at the rink.
2. Players will be encouraged to come mostly dressed for the ice instead of using change rooms. Change room availability will be arena dependent (see Facilities)
3. Players must use ONLY their own water-bottle, and it is recommended that they are filled at home. There will be limited access to water-bottle filling stations, which are high-contact places.
4. There will be one volunteer (COVID Coordinator) dedicated per cohort (or Evaluation skate) to complete the daily screening of the participants.
   1. COVID Coordinator will be allowed in the facility and will act as the liaison between parents and participants.
   2. COVID Coordinator must have emergency contact information of parents, and any necessary medical information for participants

• COVID Coordinator will usher non-participants out of the facility once all participants are on the ice.

1. COVID Coordinator will ensure participants are picked up by the appropriate guardian.

5. Travel and tournaments within Development Phase

1. While under the Development Phase there will be no tournaments unless within your cohort.
2. AHS does not allow teams to travel outside of their current Health Zone.

6. Coaches

1. Coaches are only permitted to participate in 1 sport cohort at a time (including adult leagues).
2. Some coaches will be required to be part of the cohort; i.e. for younger age groups such as U7 & U9, or to participate as a referee.
3. If a coach wishes to coach two teams, they will need to be physically distanced in the cohort. The coach may need to wear a mask or be clearly identifiable as a Coach that can not make contact. Further direction to follow from Hockey Calgary.

1. Coaches are required to wear masks when in the dressing room and on the Bench coaching and remain physically distanced

7. Referees

Referees and linesmen are not required during the Development Season. Anyone acting in such manner (coaches or volunteers) must be considered part of the cohort.

8. Facilities

The protocols set forth by the facilities must be followed. It is up to the participant and parent to know the rules of each arena prior to entering the facility. All NWW participants must adhere to each facilities rules to ensure NWW has continued access to the facility for the duration of the season.

Players are encouraged to arrive in their hockey gear as much as possible.  Face coverings/masks are required in all common areas, including dressing rooms, and must be worn until players are ready to hit the ice.

This table is meant as a guideline and is merely a snapshot of the arena protocols as of mid-August 2020.  Facility protocols are subject to change and so please adhere to all posted signs.

	CTA	Brentwood	Triwood	WHH
Arrive # min before ice time	20 mins	20 mins	20 mins	20 mins
Dressing Room Capacity	2 rooms @ 8 each + 7 in stands	2 rooms @ 5-9 each + front 2 rows of stands	2 rooms @ 10 each	14 per room with designated hall space
Showers Available	No	No	No	No
Spectators Allowed	No	No	No	No
Live Barn Available	Yes	No	No	Coming
Max Players	23 + 4 coaches	24+ 4 coaches	24+ 4 coaches	24+ 4 coaches
Traffic Flow:
Enter	Main Lobby Door (follow arrows)	Main Door (West)	Main Door (follow pylons)	East Parking Lot
Exit	Main Lobby Door (follow arrows)	Main Door (East)	Side Lobby Door	South Main Door

 

The facilities require that players move to and stay in their designated dressing room prior to their ice time.  The arena operator will blow the Zamboni horn to signal players may enter the ice.  Please note that physical distancing measures should still be adhered to as much as possible during ice times even when playing within your cohort.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Will there be refunds if hockey gets cancelled?
2. If for any reason the program is cancelled, NWW will to the extent possible provide a pro-rated refund after taking into consideration up-front costs such as jerseys, equipment and ancillary costs.

Can my child be involved in multiple cohorts? For example, can they be in a school based cohort as well as a hockey cohort?

1. Cohorting guidelines state that “an individual is only to be part of one Sport Cohort at any time.” This means that they can be involved in a hockey cohort in addition to a school-based cohort. Technically they may also be part of another sport program that operates under the ‘physical distancing’ criteria. i.e. A power skating class or school based ‘skill based’ program that has limited #’s and operates under physical distancing criteria
2. Why is physical distancing mandatory on the bench and in the dressing rooms if they are within their cohort?
3. Physical distancing is a Government of Alberta guideline and a Hockey Alberta mandate. Arguably, there should be no activities with any close contact. HOWEVER, hockey is deemed a permitted activity with the stipulation that close contact may only occur on ice. Off ice interaction (including bench and change rooms) must adhere to physical distance protocols.
4. Are coaches part of the cohort number?
5. Coaches will not be part of cohorts for age groups U11 and older. For these age groups, coaches must adhere to physical distance guidelines and will not be included in the cohort number. For the U7 and U9 age groups, coaches will be included in the cohort and thus be in contact with players. U7 and U9 may have additional coaches outside of the cohort who will adhere to physical distance guidelines.
6. Can a coach be part of a U7 or U9 cohort and also coach (physically distanced) with a different cohort?
7. Yes provided he adheres to physical distance requirements on the team he is not included in the cohort.
8. What happens if a coach notices a player is showing symptoms before or during participation?
9. Similar to injury situations, coaches have full authority to deny a player participation if they believe a player is sick. Coaches will be given resources to help assist them. It is critically important for parents to ensure they accurately complete the pre-participation symptom screening to minimize coaches having to deny participation to a player.