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Hockey is Back!

Commissioner's Update - Sept 9, 2020

By Debbie Moon, CBHL Commissioner, 09/09/20, 3:00PM EDT

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Update on the 2020-2021 Season

CBHL Families, 

After months of preparation, conference calls, and numerous discussions with state governments and athletic commissions, our affiliate the Potomac Valley Amateur Hockey Association (PVAHA) announced their Return to Participation Guidelines on Sept 5.

The start of the CBHL season will begin on October 30, 2020 with league play (depending on game schedules). We will conclude our season with regular playoff dates being the last weekend in February (AA, Girls and 16U/18U) and the first weekend of March (conclusion of UA, LA and B). The season for 8U ends on January 31st. 

PVAHA has approximately 27,000 members that include players, coaches, managers, officials, and volunteers. The CBHL comprises over one third of that number (averaging 260 teams x 17 players x 6 coaches and volunteers). We need to follow the rules and guidelines to help keep everyone safe. Please familiarize yourself with the CDC’s guidance on COVID-19 symptoms which may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. 

I know many of you have been impacted by COVID-19 personally. There may be some of you that think that COVID-19 is a hoax and that the response to it is blown out of proportion.  I can tell you that I’ve been impacted by COVID-19 professionally, and now, personally.  My son is finishing up his last year at the University of North Dakota, completing a degree in Unmanned Aerial Systems Operation in the school of Aviation.  Despite the school moving to an on-line format, he was required this summer to complete the last requirements for his degree in person and in an airplane.  

Last Tuesday he had his final oral exam with a flight instructor. The 2-hour exam was in a private classroom, they both wore masks and sat across a large table from each other. I am proud to say that he passed.

The next day, and one day prior to accomplishing his final step for his degree, the in-plane flight exam, my son was notified by his instructor that he was ill and needed to postpone the flight. On Friday, his instructor called again and notified my son that he had tested positive for COVID-19.   

As you can imagine, my world collapsed. Nothing helped me prepare for that phone call from my son and the possibility that he too had the coronavirus. 

My son immediately got tested and entered quarantine.  His Labor Day plans cancelled, and his graduation put on hold.  Fortunately, on Sunday, we received his negative test results.  Following UND and the state guidelines, he remains in quarantine. We hope that in a little more than a week, he can complete his flight exam and graduate.  

I deal with COVID-19 every day at my work at a company that sells lab equipment to various medical facilities.  I understand it. Yet, this happened, and my world collapsed. 

As we open the hockey season, please follow the guidelines and rules. They are in place for a reason. We need to work together to keep everyone safe. I do not want you or your family members to get the same call I got from my son.  

Per PVAHA’s guidance: “Willful failure to follow governmental and PVAHA guidelines may be construed as conduct unsuitable for the sport of ice hockey and could result in sanctioning for the participant, association or the facility” by PVAHA. The CBHL supports the rules and guidelines of PVAHA and will also suspend or impose other sanctions as needed per CBHL Bylaw 1.H. 

To keep playing hockey and stay safe, we all need to work together.

We are about to begin one of the most unprecedented seasons in history. 

Stay safe and well and LET’S PLAY HOCKEY!!

Debbie Moon

CBHL Commissioner