Club update - May 2021

Dear members,

After a very challenging year for everyone, our 2020-21 ice hockey season is coming to a close. The EIHA has cancelled the rest of the official season and the Club’s new 2021-22 season will begin June 1, 2021. Thanks so much to all our volunteers for helping our players, goalies and parents through another year of Hounds hockey!

Looking into the next season, next week on May 17 the UK government guidance on Covid restrictions will change and we will see the return of public skating and adult hockey at the rink. This means our ice times will be changing. Hence from May 17 on, the new 2021-22 age groups will be created. Some teams have Joint Training Sessions (“JTS”) vs other clubs through mid-July but will be played by the existing teams.

Part of the new season planning includes try-outs to evaluate players for Hounds travel teams which will compete in the EIHA league. The first phase of the try-out process will start May 17 for two weeks to help with forming initial views on team structure. Coaches will share initial thoughts with parents and players in June and July (final session will be July 19th) during which time we anticipate EIHA registration to open. Final try-outs will be carried out in August aiming to arrive at final team lists by August 31, 2021 (a team is 15 core players + reserves) for the start of the season in September.

From May to September, coaches will try to be as open and transparent as possible regarding their view on the best opportunity for development for your player. If during that process, your player is no longer interested in a travel team placement, please let your team manager or coach know.

Please look out for training updates based on your players new age group and best of luck to all players and goalies!

Please find the schedule for the next week - starting May 17.