12/05/2020
Parents/Players--
We wanted to provide a brief update regarding this season's GEHL. As many of you know, state restrictions in the tri-state area + PA + DE have limited game play and renting ice in faraway rinks seems unreasonable. As a result, and after long discussions with our founding members, we have decided to pause the league until we can provide a more stable timeline to our players and parents.
While we do not know yet when the possibility to hold the initial introductory games will be, or if the best decision is to start the league this year, we will keep parents and players posted via this page. When we had originally planned to begin playing games there were five teams and 40 extra players registered in the 2014, 2013 and 2012 birth years across the region. Our scheduling matrix was set to be handed out. We had our showcase weekend in March picked. Introductory discussion between clubs had begun. And then we realized the policies regarding COVID-19 were changing in an extremely fast and volatile way that was out of our control.
Because of the changing atmosphere and landscape of the current season we have decided to take a wait and see approach. We realize there are declining numbers and limited opportunities to learn full ice play at the mite level. However, we are aligned with the guidance produced by the AAU and will follow their recommendations of following the state regulations and policies set forth regarding ice hockey play.
In gist, keep your eyes on local, state and federal policies allowing play across borders and within the tri-state, PA and DE state region. We look forwarding to providing you with more information as it becomes available and thank you immensely for your support!
Best,
The Gateway Empire Hockey League
