Dear LMHA Members,
Empty arenas across Canada are the harsh reality today; after yesterday’s directive from Hockey Canada. The joint statement with Hockey Alberta can be found here: https://www.hockeyalberta.ca/news/recent/covid-19-update-hockey-canada-statement-1140/
Lloydminster Minor Hockey was disappointed to find out late yesterday that the rest of the 2019-2020 Hockey season was canceled due to the threat of COVID-19. LMHA still had teams remaining in league playoff championships as well as Provincial tournaments. We had a host tournament and a Provincial host tournament scheduled over the next two weekends. All this has come to a sudden and abrupt ending.
LMHA would like to thank all of our membership for another exciting hockey season. As we reflect back on 2019-2020, we can’t help but think about all the people that put countless hours into making the hockey season a success.
First, we must thank the players and coaching staffs on all our teams. Practices, dryland training, team bonding activities and then game play. Hard work but very rewarding. Then we have the parents who make sure their child makes it to all the team events, the volunteers who organize and run the events, the fans who come out to cheer our teams on to victory, the Referees/Linesmen who officiate our games and all the other important people that contribute to a successful season.
We also want to thank and recognize our remarkable Sponsors. Without our sponsors we would not be the successful Association we are. Thank you for your ongoing and continued support of Minor Hockey in Lloydminster.
The office has fielded many inquiries regarding team wind up parties. Team wind ups are social gatherings that are not a sanctioned event. Therefore, it will be left up to each individual team to decide what they feel is appropriate for their group. I would like to remind you of the statement the Alberta Health Services put out yesterday recommending no gatherings exceeding 250 people. Also remember that the COVID-19 story has changed very rapidly over the last 36 - 48 hours. Please Be Informed.
As far as equipment returns and end of season duties there will be a separate communication that will be sent out to all the team Managers in the upcoming week. We wish all our members the best and stay safe! Wash your hands.
Enjoy your summer.
Dean C. Stark
General Manager, LMHA