With players around the province itching to get back to some form of hockey, the rules surrounding who is permitted on the ice and under what circumstances been evolving quickly.

As of last week, the provincial government required that anyone who wanted to skate had to do so under the direction of an individual who was approved by the Ontario Hockey Federation. That rule has since changed.

Over the weekend, the Ontario government expanded that restriction in Ontario’s Emergency Order, which now will allow individual and small group skills development training without the need for approval. In other words, private instructors may conduct on-ice training in small groups. Health and safety protocols will be enforced by each individual facility and will follow advice from regional health authorities.

As for sanctioned activity across the GTHL, the GTHL Board of Directors is still considering the options it has in permitting organizations from reopening. At this time, no sanctioned programming by any GTHL member, any of its teams, or any of its team officials is permitted. This means any activity by any GTHL Club remains unapproved and therefore uninsured.

We will keep you updated as the GTHL Board continues its decision-making process.

In the meantime, please visit our FAQ page for updates and answers to questions you may have regarding these developments. If you have any further questions, please forward them to Adrienne Middlebrook at the GTHL.