As the 2020-2021 Season approaches - with COVID-19 related restrictions ever-changing - we will provide updates here.
10/1/20: The COVID-19 Policy for DYHA has been posted here, also available on the Bylaws and Policies page. Our season will begin on 10/3 in a development-only (no games) program, subject to change based on evolving governmental restrictions and guidance.
9/10/20: AHAI has issued an updated statement that changes the way AHAI is approaching out of state game play. With this new stance, AHAI is no longer requiring AHAI-affiliated clubs to get travel permits to play outside of IL. Games inside IL are still forbidden due to the IL All Sports Guidance. With this new ruling, AHAI is neither disallowing nor condoning play outside of IL, removing themselves so that clubs shall bear responsibility for interpreting and following such governmental mandates, implementing any required quarantines, etc. Your DYHA board is now reviewing the statement and implications and will provide an update to our members as soon as possible.
8/28/20: The 2020 Ice Contract between DYHA and the Decatur Civic Center has been signed, finalizing the arrangements for the coming season.
8/24/20: DYHA Board President Bill Franey sent this update to DYHA members on behalf of the DYHA board.
8/24/20: AHAI, the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois, issued this release today to both empathize and to assert AHAI's governance of IL amateur hockey. AHAI also issued this release to make it 100% clear that all IL teams must follow government policies and no team is allowed to play games or scrimmages in IL or out of state under the current restrictions.
8/21/20: Missouri Hockey has announced that hockey will move from phase 2 to phase 3 on 8/24. However, this merely allows intra-team scrimmages and loosens practice group restrictions. Furthermore, Illinois teams are disallowed by AHAI from travelling to play in Missouri, so the status of Missouri Hockey is irrelevant at this time despite DYHA's typical participation in Missouri Amateur Hockey.
8/19/20: The DYHA High School Board met yesterday evening for elections and annual planning. Debbie Boerger was elected to join the board as Kari Kraus's tenure comes to an end. Welcome, Debbie, and thank you, Kari! Kris Taylor has been confirmed as HS coach. League and dues planning remains in progress but will be established, along with a practice schedule, soon. Dues will be reduced from last year based on the lower game count expected. HS will field one team (Varsity) this year.
8/19/20: We have taken questions around rumors of the City of Decatur closing the Civic Center for 2021. The reality is that our DYHA President and Hockey Director have, for weeks, been in close contact with the City leaders to plan our season and all expectations are for this season to happen with ice in Decatur. The City of Decatur does have a study group evaluating all possible ways to close the 2021 city budget gap and closing the Civic Center in 2021 was one of thirteen ideas suggested in a 8/7 report, which is what generated this rumor. However, the mayor discussed during her 8/10 radio interview (1:55, 8:50) that several of the ideas (this included) were not well received and the 8/10 meeting to discuss them was postponed to allow further study.
8/18/20: The U of I at Champaign announced their ice arena will not open for the 2020-2021 season. Decatur, Bloomington, Springfield, Danville, and other local arenas plan to open or remain open as usual and CU is evaluating using non-home ice for their season. UPDATE 8/21: Champaign Youth Hockey has announced they will field a program this year using Kankakee for tryouts and Bloomington and Danville rinks for their "home" ice.
8/18/20: This update was provided to membership from DYHA President Bill Franey.
8/17/20: DYHA typically participates in Missouri Amateur Hockey and Central Illinois Hockey League, in addition to Central Illinois Prep Hockey League and Lincoln Land Hockey League at the high school level. As some parents have asked if our competition options would be different if we were to participate in the Northern Illinois Hockey League, we are sharing this guidance from the NIHL leadership. In addition to being cost prohibitive for DYHA, you can see that NIHL is applying the COVID-19 rules and restrictions similarly as we are in central IL.
8/14/20: Ice Schedule has been tentatively set; registration info updated with expected practice times and head coaches, where named.
8/13/20: Season Dues, COVID-19 waivers and restrictions, and many other topics were addressed at the DYHA Board meeting on 8/12. Dues for travel programs have been reduced by the amounts typically allocated for the games and tournaments, since those cannot take place in the foreseeable future. (Should these be possible at some point, surcharges will be required.) Decatur's home ice will be installed 10/2; DYHA travel team tryouts will be held 10/2 and 10/3 on home ice. (Note: This is a change from earlier plans to hold tryouts in Springfield during the week of 8/31.) High School registration and dues will open following the DYHA-HS Board meeting on 8/18. The 8/12 minutes are available on the Board Meeting Minutes page. Please review the important notes at the top of the Registration page when registering.
8/8/20: Registration has been opened for all programs at a cost of $50. This communication was sent to all members.
8/4/2020: USA Hockey has announced that they will sanction the 2020-2021 season, respecting local restrictions and safe health guidance. (Guidance from AHAI (the Illinois-specific body) and the City of Decatur is still pending.)
7/30/2020: 2020-2021 Information - The situation around COVID-19 is very dynamic and what this coming season will look like is in many ways unknown. However, we have completed Board elections, named coaches, and tentatively set tryout dates. Please see this Q&A for more information -- though please remember that the situation will continue to change between now and season start. We will do our best to keep everyone informed.
