Hockey Finder

COVID-19 Preparedness Plan

[updated 7/3/20]

Hockey Finder is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our volunteers, players, and
referees. To ensure we support a safe and healthy hockey experience, we have developed the following
COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff and volunteer leadership are all
responsible for implementing this plan. Our goal is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19
before, during, and after our league games. Doing so requires full cooperation among our team and staff at
our independent partner arenas. Only through this cooperative effort can we establish and maintain the safety
and health of our hockey community.

Hockey Finder grants authority to our team of volunteers to implement and monitor all aspects of this
COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. Our staff will support volunteers in enforcing this policy should they experience
any resistance or refusal to comply among league players.

Our league players and volunteers are our most important assets. We are serious about safety and health of
our community. Clear communication with our partner arenas is essential in developing and implementing a
successful COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. We have been in ongoing contact with our partner arenas during the
COVID-19 closures, and have identified many areas of concern. Arena management has been working in
cooperation with Minnesota Ice Arena Manager’s Association (MIAMA), the Minnesota Department of Health,
the governor’s office, and others. Through these conversations many ideas and new practices have been
generated. Our COVID-19 Preparedness Plan follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines, federal OSHA standards related to COVID-19 and Executive
Order 20-48, and addresses:

• hygiene and respiratory etiquette;

• engineering and administrative controls for social distancing;

• cleaning, disinfecting, decontamination and ventilation;

• prompt identification and isolation of sick persons;

• communications and training that will be provided to managers and workers; and

• management and supervision necessary to ensure effective implementation of the plan.

Screening and policies for individuals exhibiting
signs and symptoms of COVID-19
League players, volunteers, and referees will informed each season and encouraged to self-monitor for signs
and symptoms of COVID-19. The following policies and procedures are being implemented to assess our
community’s health status prior to entering the arena and for players to report when they are sick or
experiencing symptoms.

Employees - Hockey Finder has three employees, each working entirely from home. All meetings are
conducted online or over the phone. Staff wash hands and sanitize surfaces when packaging league
jerseys for shipment, and wear masks when delivering jerseys to the post office. Transfer of seasonal
gifts for players will be managed in the same manner to eliminate personal contact and possible
exposure.

Referees - Hockey Finder referees can remove themselves for any game they are scheduled to officiate.
The Hockey Finder game calendar is online and fully accessible to each referee. Referees can remove
themselves from any scheduled game more than 48 hours from start time without providing a reason.
Within 48 hours they can email staff to find a replacement. Hockey Finder will not penalize a referee for
requesting they be removed from a game for COVID-19 related symptoms. This will be communicated to
referees each season during the time the pandemic is active.

Team Captains and Division Managers - Hockey Finder volunteer Team Captains and Division Managers
will be required to follow the same policies as our league players. Captains and Division Managers help
oversee gameplay and serve as the eyes and ears of the league. However, their attendance is not a
requirement. Games can easily be managed should any need to stay home due to illness.

Screening - Hockey Finder will adhere to any screening requirements put in place by a given arena. This
could include temperature checks upon entry. Players who exhibit symptoms of illness (e.g. coughing,
vomiting, etc.) will be asked to leave. Players who are asked to leave due to illness will be kept from
playing for 14 days, or until they are cleared of a COVID diagnosis through a negative test result.

Rosters and Substitute Players

Players can register at any point during the season, but only rostered players within a respective division can
play. NO outside subs, even if they are registered players in another Hockey Finder division.

Goalies can be subbed from outside the division. Team Captains must submit the name of the player and
contact information (phone number and email address) to the Division Manager.

Handwashing
All players, volunteers, and referees will be required to wash or sanitize their hands prior to or immediately
upon entering the arena. Players will follow additional hand washing requirements established by a given
arena. Additional requirements will be communicated to every player prior to the start of each season.

• wash and/or sanitize hands prior to the entering the arena;

• wash hands whenever possible.

Respiratory etiquette: Cover your cough or sneeze

All players, volunteers, and referees are being instructed to cover their mouth and nose with their sleeve when
coughing or sneezing and to avoid touching their face, in particular their mouth, nose and eyes, with their
hands. They should dispose of tissues in provided trash receptacles and wash or sanitize their hands
immediately afterward. Respiratory etiquette will be communicated to every player prior to the start of each
season and reinforced by Team Captains and referees during games as necessary.

• NO SPITTING. Players will be monitored and warned about spitting. Continued spitting could result in a
player being removed from the game and/or suspended

Social distancing
Social distancing of six feet will be implemented and maintained between players, volunteers, referees, and
arena staff prior to and after games. In addition, players will be required to follow any additional rules
established by a given arena. These rules could include:

• limited use of locker rooms;

• use of defined spaces for putting on skates;

• timed arrivals and departures of players to and from arenas;

• restricted entrances and exits to manage player traffic.

In addition to any rules set by arenas, Hockey Finder will require players to adhere to the following:

• foregoing handshake lines after games;

• no sharing of equipment, including water bottles, sticks, clothing, etc.;

• players will be discouraged from bringing friends or family members to watch games;

• only registered league players may participate in a game. Substitute players must be approved by
Team Captains and must be registered in at least one other Hockey Finder division during the same
season in which they are subbing;

• player socializing will be limited to outdoor spaces outside of the arena. Players will maintain 6 feet
from each other when gathering;

• social distancing while on the ice will be maintained when required due to programmatic restrictions
(e.g. practice-only events during “Phase II” of Minnesota’s Stay Safe Minnesota order);

• youth programming during Phase II will be limited to “pods” of 10 people (including 1 coach and 9
youth), with each pod limited to one half of a rink. Parents will be instructed to follow arena rules,
which may include waiting in their car or off the premises unit the practice has concluded.

All Hockey Finder rules and those imposed by arenas will be communicated to all players at the start of each
season.
Cleaning, disinfection, and ventilation
Hockey Finder does not own or manage any facilities where games take place. We will be in regular
communication with arenas to ensure player spaces are being properly disinfected.

Hockey Finder jerseys will be packaged from a clean workspace that has been disinfected immediately prior to
being prepared for shipping.

Communications and training

This COVID-19 Preparedness Plan will be communicated via email to all volunteer Team Captains and Division
Mangers prior to each season. Players will receive this document via our e-newsletter sent prior to each
season. Verbal instruction will be given by Team Captains as necessary when necessary. For example, a rule
specific to a particular arena may need to be provided at the first game and/or through their “welcome” email
sent before the season. The season “welcome” email will also include instructions about any arena-specific
policies not detailed in this document

Players who register after the start of the season will receive a copy of this document via email. Instructions
will be communicated to players about any arena-specific policies not detailed in this document.

Certified by:

Derrik Dyka and Don Giroux

League Commissioners
Arena-Specific COVID-19 Rules [updated 7/3/20]
The following lists each arena alphabetically with the most relevant rules for Hockey Finder’s adult league
games summarized. Please note, there may be additional requirements not captured here. Always follow arena
staff instructions, regardless of what is written below.

Aldrich Arena (see “Ramsey County Arenas”)

Bloomington Ice Garden
• Games at Bloomington Ice Garden can include no more than 25 people, including goalies and referees.
Hockey Finder has set the roster limit to keep group sizes under 25 per game.

• Arrive in the facility no sooner than 15 minutes before the scheduled ice time. Players will be asked to
wait outside if they arrive earlier. Participants are to use the Main Door and must follow the one-way
traffic pattern in and out of building in order to maintain social distancing.

• Players must exit the building within 10 minutes following the end of the game.

• Players are encouraged to wear masks in the building, though they are not required on the ice during
games.

• Locker rooms will NOT be available. Please arrive fully dressed. There will be an area provided to put
on skates. Goalies are encouraged to plan ahead.

• Equipment Bags of any kind not allowed in the building. Skates, helmets and other items needed to
skate on the ice must be brought in by the player. Skaters should leave all valuables at home. Once
the participants leave the building, they will not be allowed to return to the rink to retrieve any
personal property.

• Use of ALL additional equipment is prohibited. This would include, but is not limited to: harnesses (on
ice and off ice), drop down curtain, hockey mat dividers, BAHA rink boards etc. Coaches may bring their
own cones for practice, however, they must be removed from the rink and leave with coach after each
session.

• No use of public drinking fountains – bring water bottles from home.

• Spectators are not allowed inside of the building. Players only, please.

• NO gatherings inside, outside, or adjacent to the building for any reason is allowed. This includes the
use of parking lots, grassy areas, sidewalks or driveways

Braemar Ice Arena

• NEED INFO
Breslow Ice Hockey Center
• Locker rooms will NOT be available. Please arrive fully dressed. There will be an area provided to put
on skates. Goalies are encouraged to plan ahead.

• Spectators are not allowed inside of the building. Players only, please.

Burnsville Ice Center

• NEED INFO

Coon Rapids Ice Center

• NEED INFO

Dakotah! Sports and Fitness Ice Arena

• NEED INFO

Duluth Heritage
• Arrive in the facility no sooner than 10 minutes before the scheduled ice time. Players will be asked to
wait outside if they arrive earlier.

• Players must exit the building within 10 minutes following the end of the game.

• Players arrive submit to a health screening questionnaire by their Team Captain upon entry. Any
participant showing signs of illness will be asked to leave the facility.

• Locker rooms will NOT be available. Please arrive fully dressed. There will be an area provided to put
on skates. Goalies are encouraged to plan ahead. Use of locker rooms will be re-evaluated in late July.

• Do Not Bring Food to the arena

• No spitting on floors

• Anything left behind in the rink or building will be thrown away, NO lost and found.

• Players are encouraged to wear masks in the building, though they are not required on the ice during
games. Social distancing will be required when not on the ice.

Eden Prairie Community Center

 • Arrive in the facility no sooner than 15 minutes before the scheduled ice time. Players will be asked to
wait outside if they arrive earlier.

• Enter through the Rink 3 Ice entrance, if game is on Rinks 1 & 3. Enter through the back Rink 2 Ice
entrance, if skating on Rink 2

• Players must exit the building within 15 minutes following the end of the game.

• Team Rooms will be opened by a Rink Attendant 10-12 minutes prior to the scheduled game time. It is
recommended that players arrive at the rink with as much gear on as possible, as you only have 10
minutes in the building before the game starts. Players not comfortable using locker rooms should
come dressed.

• Social distancing will be required when not on the ice.

• No use of public drinking fountains – bring water bottles from home.

Fogerty
• Any player not feeling well should leave the arena immediately.

• Arrive in the facility no sooner than 10 minutes before the scheduled ice time. Players will be asked to
wait outside if they arrive earlier. Goalies may enter 15 minutes before game time to dress.

• There will be 15 minutes between events to avoid event arrival and departure overlap.

• Locker rooms will be open, but it is recommended that players arrive at the rink fully dressed. Keep in
mind, you only have 10 minutes in the building before the game starts (15 minutes for goalies only).
Players not comfortable using locker rooms should come dressed.

• Players must exit the building within 10 minutes following the end of the game. 

• It is recommended that only those playing attend the game. We caution against spectators. If there are
spectators, they must follow social distancing guidelines and remain in the rink - please do not enter/
exit the rink into other portions of the arena throughout the game.

• Spitting is strongly discouraged.

• Maintain social distancing on the benches.

Highland Arena (see “Ramsey County Arenas”)

Hayes Arena
• Arrive in the facility no sooner than 15 minutes before the scheduled ice time. Players will be asked to
wait outside if they arrive earlier.
 • Player should arrive dressed. Locker room use will be limited to putting on skates and for goalies to
put on pads. Keep in mind, you only have 15 minutes in the building before the game starts.

• Players must exit the building within 15 minutes following the end of the game.

• Use marked entrances/exits when arriving/departing.

• No use of public drinking fountains – bring water bottles from home.

• Players are encouraged to wear masks in the building, though they are not required on the ice during
games. Social distancing will be required when not on the ice.

HealthEast Sports Center

• NEED INFO

Herb Brooks National Hockey Center St. Cloud

• NEED INFO

Maple Grove Ice Arena

• NEED INFO

Mars Lakeview Arena

• Arrive in the facility no sooner than 10 minutes before the scheduled ice time. Players will be asked to
wait outside if they arrive earlier.

• Arrive on the west end of the facility and enter into the building one-at a time, a minimum of six feet
apart. Separate Entrance and Exit doors will be used in the west lobby, please follow the signs.

• Players must exit the building within 10 minutes following the end of the game.

• There will be 30 minutes between ice times. This will mean there will be 15 minutes of dead ice time
between each group and NO ONE will be allowed on to the ice surface until your scheduled time.

• Locker rooms will be open and disinfected between games. There will be a limit of 12 people at a time
per locker room. It is recommended that players arrive at the rink fully dressed. Keep in mind, you
only have 10 minutes in the building before the game starts. First Row of the bleacher area will still be
available for putting on equipment if you are not comfortable with locker room usage.

• No use of bathrooms or showers attached to the locker rooms.

• Players are encouraged to wear masks in the building, though they are not required on the ice during
games. Social distancing will be required when not on the ice.
 • All participants will be asked to complete a health screening upon arrival. Any participant showing
signs of being ill will be asked to leave the facility

• Spectators are not allowed inside of the building. Players only, please.

Minnesota Made
• If playing on RINK 1: arrive in the facility no sooner than 10 minutes before the scheduled ice time.
Players will be asked to wait outside if they arrive earlier. Enter through the four doors to the right of
the main entrance and across from the concession stand. Players must exit the building within 5
minutes following the end of the game. Exit through the back door near the zamboni room.

• If playing on RINK 2/TCO: arrive in the facility no sooner than 10 minutes before the scheduled ice
time. Players will be asked to wait outside if they arrive earlier. Enter through the main sliding door.
Players must exit the building within 5 minutes following the end of the game. Exit through the back
door located in Rink 2/TCO.

• Locker rooms will NOT be available. Please arrive fully dressed. There will be an area provided to put
on skates. Goalies are encouraged to plan ahead.

• Equipment Bags of any kind not allowed in the building. Skates, helmets and other items needed to
skate on the ice must be brought in by the player. Do not leave any items (e.g. shoes) in the lobby -
take everything into the rink.

• Players are encouraged to wear masks in the building, though they are not required on the ice during
games.

Municipal Athletic Complex

• Players that are sick or showing symptoms of illness are prohibited from the facility. MAC staff retain
the right to have those persons removed.

• Arrive in the facility no sooner than 20 minutes before the scheduled ice time. Players will be asked to
wait outside if they arrive earlier. There is to be NO off-ice warm up. Any warm ups must be done in
the south west side of the parking lot in the roped in area or the grass area near the MAC marquee.
Same Social distancing guidelines must be followed outdoors as much as possible.

• Players must exit the building within 20 minutes following the end of the game.

• Players should spread out in the assigned locker rooms (2 rooms per team). Benches in locker rooms
will be marked at 6ft distances. It is recommended that players arrive at the rink fully dressed. Keep in
mind, you only have 20 minutes in the building before the game starts.

• Bathrooms and showers in the locker rooms are not available. The men’s and women’s bathroom on
the east end of Torrey and Ritsche arenas on ground level will be the only bathrooms available.
Mezzanine restrooms will be closed

• Players are encouraged to wear masks in the building, though they are not required on the ice during
games.
 • Spectators are not allowed inside of the building. Players only, please.

Parade Ice Garden

• Arrive in the facility no sooner than 10 minutes before the scheduled ice time. Players will be asked to
wait outside if they arrive earlier. All arena users enter through the main entrance and then go to the
rink where they are skating.

• Locker rooms and showers will be available, but it is recommended that players arrive at the rink fully
dressed. Keep in mind, you only have 10 minutes in the building before the game starts. Exceptions
may be made for goalies, who may need to put on additional equipment at the rink.

• Players must exit the building within 10 minutes following the end of the game. When leaving North
Rink skaters will leave through the main lobby and South and Studio skaters will leave through the exit
doors in the South Rink lobby.

• To reduce risk of COVID-19 transmission we recommend you wear a face mask upon entering the
building and while sitting on a bench and getting your skates on. We also encourage spectators (games
only) to wear masks.

• Team Captains should encourage social distancing on team benches as much as possible.

• No use of public drinking fountains – bring water bottles from home.

• No on or off ice interaction (socializing, team meetings, dryland activities) should occur following the
conclusion of skating.

Pleasant Arena (see “Ramsey County Arenas”)

Plymouth Ice Center
• Games at Plymouth Ice Center can include no more than 25 people, including goalies and referees.
Hockey Finder has set the roster limit to keep group sizes under 25 per game.

• Arrive in the facility no sooner than 15 minutes before the scheduled ice time. Players will be asked to
wait outside if they arrive earlier. A Team Captain or Division Manager must arrive 30 min prior to
reservation and check-in with a Plymouth Ice Center Staff Person. The Coach and/or Representative
will be responsible for not allowing their group in to the building until 15 min before the reserved time.

• Players must exit the building within 10 minutes following the end of the game.

• Enter and Exit through specific doors. Enter from the Main Entrance off of Plymouth Blvd./37th Ave. Exit
from the back of the building by the MAP/FHIT Training Center or from the Main Entrance. Please follow
the floor signs.

• Players will need to self-monitor their health upon entry. Anyone showing signs of illness will be asked
to leave the facility.
 • Spectators are not allowed inside of the building. Players only, please.

• Locker rooms will be open and disinfected between games, but it is recommended that players arrive
at the rink fully dressed. Keep in mind, you only have 15 minutes in the building before the game
starts. Players must adhere to a maximum number of skaters posted on Locker Room doors. Marked
seating in the locker rooms posted.

• Players are encouraged to wear masks in the building, though they are not required on the ice during
games.

• Public hand sanitizing stations will be increased and placed in strategic locations within the facility.

• No use of public drinking fountains – bring water bottles from home.

Ramsey County Arenas

PREPARING TO ARRIVE – WHAT SKATERS NEED TO KNOW

• Anyone with symptoms of illness or who have family members in their household with symptoms of
illness should stay home and follow CDC and Health Department rules and guidelines for self-
quarantine.

• Masks are required in the building. (They may be removed for on-ice activities but should be worn at
all other times).
 • Arrive in the facility no sooner than 20 minutes before the scheduled ice time. Players will be asked to
wait outside if they arrive earlier. Skaters should arrive with most of their clothing and equipment
already on.

• All dressing areas will either be in open public areas or have doors propped open. All dressing areas
are considered coed, no one should be dressed down to undergarments at any time. Keep in mind,
you only have 20 minutes in the building before the game starts. Players not comfortable using locker
rooms should come dressed.

• Skaters should bring skate guards for dressing in areas that do not have rubber flooring or matting.

• Skaters should bring hand sanitizer with them for use before and after getting ready to skate. Players
must all use hand sanitizer upon entering the building.

• Skaters must have their own water bottles clearly marked with their name.

• Spectators are not allowed inside of the building. Players only, please.

• Skaters should enter/exit at the designated locations at each facility.

1. Vadnais Heights TCO Sports Garden Rink 1: Enter through Northwest Entrance by Saks. Exit through
Rink 1 Locker Room Hallway Exit.
2. Vadnais Heights TCO Sports Garden Rink 2: Enter through Northeast Main Entrance by Revolution
Sports. Exit through Rink 2 South Exit.
3. Highland Arena: Enter through Upper Lobby North Rink Entrance. Exit through Lower South Rink
Exit.
4. Pleasant Arena: Enter through Main Front Lobby Entrance. Exit through Side Rink Exit
5. Aldrich?

ARRIVING AND CHECKING IN

• All skaters and visitors will have their temperature taken at the check-in counter by their
organization’s check-in person and be required to answer questions regarding symptoms of COVID or
exposure. Anyone having a fever of 100+ or displaying symptoms of the COVID19 virus will be required
to leave immediately or wait in the isolation area if they need to wait for a ride to return.

ON THE ICE

• Masks are not required on the ice but are recommended.

• No spitting.

• Cough and sneeze into your arm and jersey.

• Skaters must always keep their gloves on.

Rogers Activity Center

• Arrive in the facility no sooner than 20 minutes before the scheduled ice time. Players will be asked to
wait outside if they arrive earlier. If the exiting participants are in the walkway, the arriving participants
 should yield and wait until they can pass with at least 6 feet in distance (the hallway is less than 6 feet
wide).

• Players must exit the building within 10 minutes following the end of the game. Once an ice time ends,
only the team that is exiting the ice may be in the walkway to the changing area.

• Team Rooms will be open, but doors will be propped open - please plan accordingly. It is
recommended that players arrive at the rink fully dressed. Keep in mind, you only have 20 minutes in
the building before the game starts, and exiting players may be in the Team Room area for 10 minutes
following the end of their game. Players not comfortable using locker rooms should come dressed.
There will be designated physical distancing spots for Team Rooms; if the groups are larger than the
room capacity, the team rooms must be used in shifts.

• Once the ice is ready, staff will signal with the horn, and only the team entering the ice may be in the
walkways.

• Masks are strongly recommended for all visitors when not on the ice.

• Enter and exit the building as shown below:

St. Michaels/Albertville Arena

• Arrive in the facility no sooner than 15 minutes before the scheduled ice time. Players will be asked to
wait outside if they arrive earlier.

• Players must exit the building within 15 minutes following the end of the game.

• Enter through the “New” door, exit though the “old” door. This is to help keep groups separate.
 • Locker rooms will be open, but it is recommended that players arrive at the rink fully dressed. Keep in
mind, you only have 15 minutes in the building before the game starts. Players not comfortable using
locker rooms should come dressed.

• Spitting is strongly discouraged. Keep it in the trash or on the ice, but NO spitting in the bench area.

• Water bottles left behind go straight to the trash.

Super Rink - National Sports Center

• NEED INFO

Vadnais Sports Center/TCO Sports Garden (see

“Ramsey County Arenas”)