The evolving nature of the sport of ice hockey amid the coronavirus pandemic continued Thursday.
Massachusetts joined six other states in releasing a joint statement, as Governor Charlie Baker said the Commonwealth is enacting an agreement with Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island and New Jersey to ban interstate hockey competition at the high school, prep school and youth levels effective Saturday and running through at least Dec. 31.
“In response to recent coronavirus outbreaks associated with the conduct of interstate youth hockey activities, [the aforementioned states] will support a regional approach to interstate competitions,” the statement read. “As case numbers increase in many states across the country, it is critical that neighboring states coordinate a regional approach to limit further community spread of the virus.”
Interstate competition was already banned for Massachusetts youth hockey teams as part of the latest round of restrictions and modifications required in order for state rinks to reopen following a mandatory two-week shutdown last month.
The ban on interstate competition won’t impact collegiate and professional hockey. The statement specifically noted that college and pro teams will have to operate under their own set of restrictions and guidelines, but they were not included in the seven-state agreement. The UMass hockey team is slated to open its Hockey East schedule Nov. 20 when it travels to play at the University of Maine for a two-game series in Orono. The NHL has yet to announce its schedule and plans for the 2020-21 campaign.
Locally, Franklin County Hockey Association (FCHA) returned to the ice when state rinks were reopened Nov. 2. Last weekend, FCHA teams played games against Massachusetts opponents at Collins-Moylan Arena in Greenfield in addition to West Springfield’s Olympia Ice Center, Fitzpatrick Arena in Holyoke and Amelia Park Arena in Westfield.
Massachusetts’ latest round of youth hockey guidelines released Nov. 6 offered specific language on face coverings, spectators, contact tracing, transportation and other topics.
“As public health data continues to evolve, the states will reassess the need for continued restrictions on interstate sports activities,” the statement concluded.