AAHA Return to Play Standards 

The Arizona Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA) Executive Committee is initiating the following 2020-21 Return to Play Standards as a protocol to ensure the safety and well-being of all ice hockey participants and spectators, while allowing ice rinks to safely rent ice to our members. Designed with the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and in collaboration with the U.S. Ice Rink Association and U.S. Figure Skating, USA Hockey published a comprehensive ‘Returning to the Rinks’ document containing additional guidelines and recommendations successfully put into practice by many of our USA Hockey affiliates nationwide. Collectively, this provides us a path to safely operate while minimizing risks tied to COVID-19. 

NOTE: This policy is not intended to replace local and state government orders or safety policies and procedures put in place at your ice rink facility. 

AAHA :

• All participants in AAHA sanctioned on-ice activity must be registered with USA Hockey for the 2020-21 season.
• AAHA requires that all associations, teams, players, coaches, officials and volunteers maintain full compliance with all SafeSport policies, including mandatory training and certification.
• AAHA requires that all teams, traveling out-of-state for hockey activities, will adhere to all local and state government guidelines for youth sports while participating in that state. Likewise, AAHA will require all out-of-state teams, entering Arizona for hockey activities, to adhere to all local and state government guidelines for youth sports participation in Arizona.
• AAHA will initiate disciplinary action without delay for any team, association, volunteer and/or tournament host that is NOT in compliance with USA Hockey policies, AAHA policies, and the laws, rules and policies established by the local government and health authorities. 

ASSOCIATIONS: 

• Players or coaches, exhibiting any Covid-19 signs or symptoms  "SHOULD NOT" participate in any on-ice activity.
• Any player, coach or spectator exhibiting signs or symptoms of an illness "SHOULD NOT" be in the facility at any point.
• Furthermore, any player, coach or spectator awaiting results from a COVID-19 test "SHOULD NOT " be in the facility until a negative result has been confirmed. 

Teams:

• should designate a person who will be responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns, as well as notifying all applicable parties, regarding positive COVID-19 cases. Contact information for these individuals should be accessible to all coaches,/team officials, volunteers and organization representatives. 
• If a case is reported to any team, and/or association liaison, it should immediately be reported to all applicable parties including association leadership, and the Arizona Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA) Administrator at                        azyhlscoresheets@gmail.com.
• While immediate notification is recommended, completion of notification of all applicable parties shall not exceed 24 hours after initial diagnoses.
• If a case is confirmed, Confidentiality of the individual must be maintained in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other corresponding state laws.
• Notification of any teams or players that shared ice sessions with the infected player over the previous 7 days and any opponents or teams scheduled to practice or compete with the player’s team over the upcoming 7days must be made immediately.
• Teams that do not notify teams that they have been in contact with over the past seven days or future opponents and the AAHA Administrator in a timely manner, will be recommended to the AAHA Disciplinary Committee for Disciplinary action.
• Teams will not be penalized for forfeiting games due to COVID-19 concerns, and will be given the opportunity to reschedule affected games.

You should be aware of your facility’s safety measures and require all members to follow them. Some facilities practices & procedures may include: 

• cleaning/disinfecting after practices and scheduled games and/or screening required before entry 
• online payment options
• building entrance and exit routes
• locker room availability
• social distancing measures
• spectator policy use of face coverings and/or masks in facility

AZ Ice - Gilbert

AZ Ice - Arcadia - Waiver

Oceanside Ice Arena

Ice Den - Scottsdale

Ice Den - Chandler

AAHA is as excited as everyone to get back to playing this wonderful game we all enjoy, but we need to be aware to be safe not only for ourselves, but also for the others who also love and enjoy this great game.

Have fun, but please stay safe.