Due to Covid-19 ( Gathering restrictions along with Bar & Restaurant current limitations ), a decision was made by the Green Lea Golf Course and the Hockey Golf Committee to cancel this year's annual event. 

Try again next year - Sat Aug 28th, 2021.

Minnesota Hockey today released its Return to Play Guidelines, following the announcement by the State of Minnesota that organized youth sports can resume activities beginning Monday, June 1.

See Link IN Yellow : ( Phase, 1, 2 & 3 ): Minnesota Hockey Return To Play Guidelines

The guidelines are not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Local rinks and associations will need to follow the guidelines set forth by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and its Guidance for Social Distancing, as well as local government officials in determining when, and how, it is appropriate to return to the rinks, including requirements or guidelines for physical distancing, size of gatherings or number of people permitted in a facility, or wearing masks, etc.

Minnesota Hockey established these guidelines in an effort to provide recommendations and ideas to consider when evaluating and planning your programs in the context of COVID-19. Please know these are not requirements, but they are designed to assist associations in keeping their members safe.

Remember we can contribute to helping eliminate COVID-19 by doing these four things:

1. Physical Distance
2. Wash Hands and Practice Safe Hygiene Habits
3. Clean Surfaces and Equipment Between Uses
4. Staying Home When Sick or Experiencing Any Symptoms

The knowledge and circumstances around COVID-19 are changing constantly and, as such, Minnesota Hockey encourages all affiliates to stay up-to-date on state and local government guidelines and recommendations from the CDC. Minnesota Hockey will also continue to provide updates and adjust these guidelines as more information develops.

Minnesota Hockey would like to thank the following organizations for their resources, guidance and cooperation in creating these guidelines: Center for Disease Control, Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Ice Arena Managers Association, The Aspen Institute’s Project Play and USA Hockey.

Stay safe and we look forward returning to the ice soon!

Note: ALHA Board & the City of Albert Lea ( Bob Furland / Lon Sorenson ) will be working together on local guidelines as the Fall approaches. 

Last week’s announcement by Governor Walz to lift the Stay At Home order and allow gatherings of 10 or less has fueled optimism about the potential re-opening of hockey. However, it should be noted that the recent Executive Order did not allow for the opening of youth sports in Minnesota, even if those sports can limit participants to 10 or fewer.

Minnesota Hockey has been working diligently with officials and organizations at the state and national level to provide a path for a safe return to the rinks and would like to share a few updates.

Minnesota Hockey has been a part of a coalition of youth sport organizations working with the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Education and Commissioner Tarek Tomes of the State of Minnesota to establish guidelines for opening youth sport activities.

Minnesota Hockey has also been partnering with the Minnesota Ice Arena Managers Association, USA Hockey and Mayo Clinic on determining guidelines specific to returning to hockey in Minnesota. Minnesota Hockey will be sharing these guidelines with association leaders in the next week and will be releasing them publicly when youth sports are given approval to open.

Like all aspects of today’s world, hockey will need to look different in order to resume. We hope all associations and participants will embrace the changes needed to begin opening rinks safely. A few key characteristics will include:

• Physical distancing
• Enhanced hygiene habits
• Increased cleaning of surfaces & equipment
• Staying home when feeling ill or experiencing symptoms
• A phased approach based on the risk assessment of various types of hockey activities
• Following guidelines and requirements set by local and state health and government officials

For additional insight into considerations for reopening rinks, click here.

Minnesota Hockey continues to make the safety of players and families our number one priority during this uncertain time and will provide updates as additional information becomes available. We hope all of you are dealing with the COVID-19 situation in the best way possible and taking care of yourselves and your families.

Stay safe, stay active and stay positive!

Amazing Generosity from our Hockey Community

$ 3320 - Donated

$ 2000 - ALHA Match

$ 5320 - Grand Total ( $ 2660 to both Food Shelves )

Hey Hockey Families,

We are so blessed to have each other and the sport of hockey.  With that said, these are crazy times and many are experiencing difficulties.  As an association we are looking for a way to make a difference in our community and with each other.  In this spirit, we are kicking off a 2 week Food Shelf Fundraiser to help our local food shelves meet the demand.

Here are the details:

Runs: for 2 weeks starting April 2.  Ends April 16.

Goal: Raise at least $2000 dollars which the association would match $1 for $1 unto $2000. =  $4000 total goal.

Benefits: both of the local food shelves:  Salvation Army and the one at the Presbyterian Church.

Why:  To share with others and help teach our kids as well remind ourselves that we can all make a difference.

How:  Mail a check to ALHA: Memo Food Shelf: Mail to Brad Loch 111 The Fairway, Albert Lea, MN 56007  or attached pdf with instructions how to pay with Credit Card.

City Arena Users

Update on the status of the Albert lea City Arena  Ice Events. 

The City Arena will be not having any ice events tentatively Until Fall of 2020. The ice will be not be in for ice events for spring and summer of 2020.     Currently the Arena is closed to the public and will be until local  and state government has lifted restrictions.  Spring and summer Dry floor events or non-ice events are subject to restrictions by local and state government restrictions. Please keep informed on the restrictions by going to City of Albert Lea website cityofalbertlea.org of to the state of Minnesota web site MN.gov.

I will do my best to keep in contact with you all  about the Status of the Albert Lea City Arena in the future as things change. 

Thank you and stay safe

Lon Sorenson

Ice Arena and Recreation Coordinator

City of Albert Lea

507-377-4374

Tracie.bellrichard@gmail.com

10 % of all Food & Drink Sales from Oct 2019 to Oct 1st 2020 will go back to the Albert Lea Hockey Association. Open to anybody connected with Hockey ( Mites to High School - Payers, Coaches & Board Members ). You need to present your card ( see attachment ) to your server each time to get the credit. Top Sales Card #'s ( 1st, 2nd & 3rd ) will receive a Gift Card to Wedgewood Cove Golf Club. If you didn't get your card at Fall Registration in Sept, Connect w/ Brad Loch ( 507-363-2916 ).