COVID 19 Update - June 11
The Leduc Junior Athletic Club (LJAC) would like to take this opportunity to provide some important updates related to the following: COVID - 19, Return to Hockey - Hockey Alberta/Hockey Canada, Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL), City of Leduc - Leduc Recreation Centre and LJAC.
First of all and most importantly we truly hope all LJAC players & families have been able to remain safe & healthy during this unprecedented & world changing COVID-19 pandemic. The past ten weeks has been stressful, challenging, ongoing changes, isolation, online schooling & uncertainty, however this time has also provided an opportunity to reflect, support and spend time with family & friends.
Over the past month LJAC Board members have been involved in numerous virtual meetings, conference calls, telephone discussions and emails with hockey partners across Alberta. Below are some updates that have been shared, taken place & tentative plans for the 2020/21 Hockey Season:
COVID-19 & Return to Hockey - Hockey Alberta & Hockey Canada have provided news releases related to these items on their websites, social media avenues and LJAC has also posted this important information on our website. Hockey Alberta and all Alberta Provincial Sport Associations have weekly meetings with Alberta Health, Province of Alberta & Municipalities & will continue to provided updates & plans related the opportunity to access hockey arenas, recreation centers & multi-purpose facilities and Return to Play/Hockey. As you can appreciate there are changes day to day, challenges, ongoing restrictions and pressures on everyone while ensuring the health & safety of all.
City of Leduc & Leduc Recreation Centre - There currently is no confirmed date of the re-opening of the Leduc Recreation Centre. The City of Leduc & Leduc Recreation Centre continues to provide excellent communication & updates with ice user groups and all local sport organizations.
Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL) - On May 30 there was an announcement by Hockey Alberta of the NEW AEHL for Male Elite Hockey in Alberta. Hockey Alberta & the Elite Male Committee shared this information with all Elite Draw Zone partners (including LJAC) and provided the rationale on the change along with League Policies & Procedures. The AEHL will have a new mandate and will operate to provide elite level hockey in the province of Alberta, three Divisions of hockey U18 AAA (formerly MAAA), U16 AAA (formerly MMAAA) & U15 AAA (formerly BAAA). The AEHL will have one logo, brand, website & social media avenues.
Leduc Junior Athletic Club - Over the past two months we have been engaged in virtual meetings, conference calls and numerous discussions with board members, coaches, Hockey Alberta, LJAC Draw Zone LMHAs and other LJAC partners. Due to COVID-19, our LJAC U15 AAA ID Camp & Spring Camps were cancelled. We have tentative dates in August & September for LJAC Conditioning Camp & LJAC Tryouts (note: registration will be opened on June 11). If there is an opportunity for the City of Leduc to have a partial opening of the Leduc Recreation Centre in mid/late July or early August, LJAC may schedule some skates for players with coaches (restrictions will apply and TBD). The LJAC had exit discussions/evaluation/feedback with all three Head Coaches from the 2019/20 season, today we are excited to announce that all three Head Coaches (Ryan Rechner, Rod Ohlhauser & Ryan Campbell) will return for the 2020/21 Hockey Season. Over the past three weeks the LJAC Board commenced the planning & preparations for the 2020/21 hockey season (please note: start date will be determined in alignment with Hockey Alberta): including ice scheduling & bookings, meetings, securing on ice skill development & off ice training and ordering of LJAC team equipment & apparel. The LJAC in partnership with the City of Leduc is proceeding with a Telus Cup Bid (will take place in the Pacific Region AB/BC in 2022 or 2023). With the uncertainty and challenges facing everyone the LJAC is committed to providing a very good & affordable hockey program for Elite Players to develop on & off the ice and the attain the skills & development to advance in hockey and in life.
