Beaver Sports
Napanee District Minor Hockey is gearing up for a somewhat more normal season this year, but much has changed, too.
The OMHA, with the guidance of the OHF, has decided to allow student athletes to get back to school learning first, which has pushed Rep tryouts to later in September rather than the customary ‘Spring Tryouts’. The Napanee schedule has U13/U15/U18 Rep tryouts beginning on Sept. 25, and U11 starting on Sept. 27. The U15/Bantam Body Checking Clinic, run by Mike Hartwick, is on Sept. 22. Start times are on the NDMHA website.
As well, the league schedules have been extended, with the EOMHL set to start on Oct. 15, with all teams including the local league playing meaningful hockey until March 1, 2022. Rep teams will attempt to qualify for a ‘Championship Weekend’ tournament, rather than the customary round robin, and five game playoff series formats of the past. Teams will be seeded based on league play, and Napanee teams will face teams from A and AE1 Centres such as Quinte West, avoiding the long road trips of the past in getting to the Finals. Also, the OMHA and OHF have confirmed that teams will take a break from games and practices for a week during Christmas and March Break, allowing families a break from hockey commitments.
The new slate of Rep Coaches includes Dave Allore- U11, Dave Kerr- U13, Ryan Sharpe- U15, and Jim McKinney-U18.
The U9 group, previously called Novice, will continue with half-ice skills and small area games, moving to full ice later in the season. By November they will face off with other centres, but with the focus continuing to be on skills and development.
The OMHA and Napanee District Minor Hockey are also focused on the safety of all participants with respect to COVID-19, and continue to provide guidance to all, ensuring proper protocols are followed in areas such as vaccination of participants, expectations in dressing rooms, and use of arena facilities.