With 20 of the 28 teams committed to playing a shortened season, the four divisions of the NAHL will get back on the ice on Dec. 1. (Todd Jones)

By Dan Marshall

Back on Blades

Nanaimo Adult Hockey League returns after eight month absence

Nov 14, 2020 | 4:50 PM

NANAIMO — Local recreational hockey players haven’t been on the ice since March but that’s about to change with the beginning of a new season.

The Nanaimo Adult Hockey League will resume play on Dec. 1. The league is comprised of four age grouped divisions and will include 20 of the usual 28 teams.

League president Jeff Boehm said the league season will be much shorter with an average of one game a week between December and March.

“We’re breaking off into groups of four teams only for our cohorts. The roster size is a maximum of 16 and the roster for each individual game is no more than 13 of those guys.”

There won’t be any significant rule changes in the NAHL but there will be some new off ice protocols.

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All four of Nanaimo’s ice sheets will be utilized by the league with ice times reduced by 15 minutes.

The league will also limit dressing rooms to 11 players meaning each team will have to use two change rooms. The City will have a 45 minute window between games to allow for the transition of players and a thorough cleaning.

Some teams have already begun their own individual ice sessions however those are not sanctioned by the league.

Boehm himself has been on the ice a few times already. He normally plays both winter and summer hockey so he was thrilled to put the blades back on again.

“Most of us were off the ice for a complete seven months. The players have been very respectful of each others space in the short time I’ve started skating.”

The ongoing cases of COVID-19 have kept some players and teams from returning to the ice but Boehm said not having the opportunity to stick around after games also played a role.

“I think one of the reasons some guys haven’t come back is because of that social part. It’s like if I can’t hang around in the dressing for 40 minutes afterwards with the fellas I just don’t want to go.”

The NAHL executive has been working for quite a while to bring rec hockey back.

Boehm said it was challenging because the health guidelines for returning change, sometimes daily.

“And we know it could change again. We’re cautiously optimistic but in another six to eight weeks we could get shut down if COVID case numbers keep going up. They did have to shut down in Vancouver.”

The finishing touches are being put on the full league schedule and details about the league and return to play guidelines are available at www.hockeynanaimo.ca.

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77