Blues 2021 Program Updates

Hello parents and players,
 
  As we approach the holiday break, we wanted to take some time to update you on some upcoming program changes for 2021. With so much going on, it’s difficult to keep everyone informed as we would in a regular season. With the recent adjustment to the groupings at the Rangers levels, and the upcoming ones at the Associations, the Blues will be following the same process and making final changes to our groupings. At the U10 to U15 levels, roster sizes will be brought down to a maximum of 18 (16 players + 2 goalies), which would be in keeping with the GHA competitive roster size. By doing so, the potential opens up to scrimmage vs some Rep B teams within the GHA (Hawks, Jets) or possibly outside of the GHA depending on how things progress. This should allow for consistency both among the Blues teams as well as the other GHA teams and will hopefully allow for more player development. Keep in mind that this is all dictated and dependent on any City or Provincial Health guidelines (which takes precedence over everything). Players that have been released from the Rangers will be joining our bubbles, but there will be no releases from our groups at this time. All players in our bubbles will continue to the end of December. Any necessary changes to our bubbles will take place after the weekend of Dec 19/20 and will take effect at the start of January. Email announcements will be sent out at that time.
 
  The possible addition of a separate U16 and U18 team is also being looked at. The teams were combined in early November, however with the number of releases anticipated at those levels, there may be the need for 2 separate teams again. We are currently exploring this and we hope to make a decision early next week. When we return in the new year, the program is expected to run from January – March and continue with 2 times per week. Allocations would most likely start on January 4th and run 12 weeks from there. Teams will have the ability to add additional ice sessions if they choose. Registrations costs are currently being finalized and more details will follow in the coming weeks, but there will be one sign up for the remainder of the year instead of the current process.
 
  That’s all the information we have for now, but if you have any questions, please feel free to contact your level Director or any one of the Blues executives
 
Riccardo Panarella
U10 and U12
 
Ross Holman
U11, U14 and U15
 
Andrew Pile
U13 and U16/18