Hockey Regina expecting normal season ahead

Hockey Regina is planning to have a season that is as close to normal as possible.

That means there will not be any COVID-19 measures, according to executive director Blair Watson.

Watson said Hockey Regina is following the guidance set by the provincial government and its governing body, the Saskatchewan Hockey Association, now Hockey Saskatchewan.

“We’re anticipating smooth sailing, knock on wood,” Watson said.

“We’re not driving the bus. We’re taking direction and whatever happens … we’ll adjust on the fly but we’re optimistic that there won’t be any adjustments that will have to be made come the fall.”

Last season, players were limited to strictly practice, Watson said. This year, he’s expecting teams will be able to travel and attend tournaments. Tryouts are already underway and AAA teams are on the ice for their fall camps.

Enrollment does not appear to be affected by the lack of COVID measures. More than 2,000 children have registered with final numbers forecast to be around 2,700.

“Actually, we are slightly ahead of where we were last year this time,” Watson said.

“People just want to get back to playing games, back to sports, competing, et cetera.”

Watson does believe there’s some “apprehension,” particularly among those in younger age groups who are not yet eligible for COVID vaccines. But when the province announced in June that it would lift all public health orders on July 11, Watson said there was actually a spike in early-bird registrations.

“They were sick and tired of having to wear a mask to participate in the sport. And that was pretty much universal across all age groups,” he said.