It looks like high school hockey will happen this winter in Massachusetts, after all.
On Friday, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve the rule modifications recommended to it by the COVID-19 Task Force — making the 2020-21 winter season a reality.
In the meeting, the MIAA, which voted to instill a start date of Nov. 30 to the season last month, approved a motion to push the start date back until Dec. 14.
With the change, schools are given more time to conduct testing and control any outbreaks that may arise when they return to school following the holiday break.
The season’s end date, which already was set for Feb. 21, 2021, did not change.
“It is great to see that so many of our student-athletes will be able to take part in the sports they love this winter,” MIAA president and Marshfield superintendent Jeff Granatino said. “Many coaches, athletic directors, principals and superintendents worked hard over the past few weeks to ensure that we would be able to offer interscholastic athletes for our students, and I want to thank them for their efforts.”
In western Mass., the Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference held firm on its Monday decision to delay the winter season start date until Jan. 4.
Teams in the MIAA and PVIAC cannot begin team activities until their set dates.
Due to a decision made prior to Friday’s meeting, there will be no playoffs for winter sport teams this year, the Board of Directors voted to approve on Oct. 29.
It marks the third straight high school sports season (spring, fall and, now, winter) that will finish without crowning a sectional or state champion due to COVID-19.
Without a postseason, the MIAA will stick with what worked in the fall — rigorous testing with limited, league-only scheduling to limit travel and potential exposure.
Berkshire County, which includes three co-op teams from western Mass., will not have a high school hockey season this winter, it was announced earlier this month.
“The pandemic has reshaped the way education is delivered across the country, and the same can be said about its impact on athletics,” Granatino added on Friday. “Nonetheless, I am confident our student-athletes and coaches will adjust to the new expectations this winter and have an experience as fulfilling and as exciting as what we saw during the fall season. Our membership should be proud our board’s actions today reflect allegiance to the MIAA mission.”
With a heavy focus on social distancing, key rule modifications include:
- Programs may dress only 20 players per team total, the BOD mandated, a decrease from 22. If a rink does not allow for proper social distancing, that may be changed.
- Cloth face masks, covering both the mouth and nose, must be worn at all times by all participants. That includes team facilities and while playing on the ice.
- Additionally, handshakes will not be allowed before, during or after games. All locker rooms and changing areas must remain closed, as well, except for toilets.
Game modifications
When lining up for faceoffs, players lined up opposite from each other must be six feet apart and face in the direction of the faceoff location. Players preparing for the faceoff must set up 6 feet apart. Referees will call participants in for the puck drop.
When scrums for the puck arise along the boards, only one defensive and one offensive player will be allowed to participate. If a third participant enters the scrum, or if it goes over five seconds, it will result in an immediate stoppage.
Protocol modifications
Any student-athlete, coach, spectator or anyone associated with a program that gets exposed to COVID-19 may participate only once they have completed a 14-day quarantine and get written clearance to return from the school administrator.
Any student-athlete, coach, spectator or any individual associated with a program who tests positive for COVID-19 may participate only once 10 days have passed since their symptoms first appeared, or 10 days since the result, if asymptomatic.
Liam Flaherty can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter @_LiamFlaherty.
