The Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association wants the City of Saskatoon to give them an exemption from its mask mandate for players and coaches who are on the ice. Currently all athletes at civic ran facilities have to wear a mask, except for those swimming.
SMHA Executive Director, Kelly Boes addressed the city’s committee on planning, development and community services Monday. He says wearing masks could lead to potential injuries. “Peripheral being impeded and blind spots being created by the mask, especially when looking down at pucks and players feet.” Boes pointed to the fact that both the cities of Regina and Prince Albert don’t require masks for players and coaches who are out on the ice. During the meeting, city administration noted that a report is expected to come forward to the governance and priorities next Monday on a more broader approach to face masks.
Phil Chillibeck, a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Kinesiology also spoke at the committee meeting Monday. He said he isn’t really taking a side on whether or not masks should be made mandatory on the ice. Chillibeck pointed to a couple of studies that found transmission of COVID-19 from player-to-player on the ice during game play. On the other hand, Chillibeck pointed out that having other strict rules in place other than masking on the ice has proven successful in COVID hot spots. He said in Virginia, hockey officials implemented rules including having coaches wear masks on the bench, having those in attendance wear masks and having players arrive at the game fully dressed as locker rooms were closed off.
Ward 4 Councillor Troy Davies stated that he isn’t in favour of having masks be required for those on the ice. “You’re playing in one rink and you’re wearing a mask and then you go to the next rink and you’re not. Or you’re coming from one city and you played three quarters of the year without wearing a mask and you come to Saskatoon for a hockey tournament and you play at one of our city rinks and you’re wearing one.” Davies also pointed out the fact that a mask may cause a players’ vision to be obstructed, this leading to potential injuries if someone isn’t aware of another person nearby.
Ward 7 City Councillor Mairin Loewen said it can be difficult to navigate through the different health regulations not that provincial guidelines have been lifted and not it’s up to the municipalities, organizations and businesses to implement their own guidelines as they see fit.
The committee will request that the local medical health officer be present for next Monday’s governance and priorities meeting.
