September 9, 2021

The English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA) has received new information from the Tournament Organisers which affects plans and arrangements announced previously. The changes are significant and mean that we are in effect starting from scratch which is unavoidable.

We have previously established that there is an appetite for providing an opportunity to participate in one of, if not, the best youth hockey tournaments in the world. The “Test Event” at Ice Sheffield on Saturday 7th August 2021 told us that parents and players alike would be thrilled to take part. We now just need to contemplate the changes presented in this new information and we hope our approach to the tournament will be understood by all concerned.

The first change concerns the requirements for all players to have received two Covid Vaccinations in order to compete in the Tournament. This is a major issue for us here in the UK because currently there is only talk of Covid vaccinations for children aged 12 and over. The EIHA has no knowledge of when, or indeed if, Covid vaccinations are to be made available to children aged 12. Given that the vaccination landscape and vaccine passport considerations appear to be changing on an almost daily basis our plan is to continue to monitor developments and maintain our plan to attend the Tournament assuming there is sufficient support for the Tournament from our player/parent community.

The second change concerns the age limits for players which is now confirmed as being for 2008 and 2009 players ONLY. Previously our plan was to select players born in 2009 only. With the Tournament Organisers extending the older limit to include players born in 2008 we believe that the right thing to do for the EIHA players is to include 2008 born players. Obviously this change will have some impact on players born in 2009 who have previously taken part in the test event last month. However, it should be noted that nobody has actually been selected to the Team and arrangements have not so far been confirmed as we are still in the planning and selection stage.

It is our current plan to establish a team of predominantly 2008 born players and if the team makes a successful return to the Quebec Tournament then in 2023 the team will consist of predominantly 2009 players and so on.

So given the change in age limit we now wish to invite all EIHA Players born in 2008 to make an expression of interest for taking part in the next selection event which will take place at NIC Nottingham on Sunday 19th September 2021 commencing at 11am and running throughout the day finishing around 8pm. We realise that we are not providing a great deal of notice of the event and that is noted, however, we are working hard to try and identify ice time and bring these opportunities together while at the same time trying to bring the league events back on line.

Turning to the event, it will be a mix of presentations, hockey fitness testing and on ice evaluation and game play. It will be similar to an England U13 Development Camp with the addition of presentations about a possible trip to Quebec between 7th and 22nd February 2022.

The EIHA organised trip will be for players and team staff only. This does not mean that parents and siblings can not travel but rather due to the uncertainty mentioned above it is felt that families may find it easier to send their player on the team trip.

For this event there will be 46 places available for players born in 2008.

After this event the Coaching team will be looking to select a long list of players who would then be considered for Team Selection. If the trip has sufficient support and goes ahead then it is intended to announce the team by the middle of October 2021 and the preparations will commence in early November when the Tournament Organisers confirms the event will happen and the EIHA ‘go’ decision is made. There will then be development events in November, December and January.

As was mentioned before the first test event, the indicative cost for the trip has been estimated to be in the order of £1,750 per player which will include flights, transfers, accommodation, tournament fees and most meals. Details need to be finalised. There are 19 player places available and there will be 5 team staff members to supervise the players. Players will stay “billeted” with Canadian Families typically in pairs and this is a major part of the experience as well as enjoying the Canadian experiences.

Anyone wishing to be considered for a place on the test event should send an email to quebec22@nulleiha.co.uk stating

• Player Name,
• 2021/22 Club,
• Date of Birth (Born 2008)
• Playing Position
• Contact Number.

The deadline for player details to be received by email is 5pm on Sunday 12th September 2021.

Details of the Test Event are as follows:

Date: Sunday 19th September 2021
Venue: NIC Nottingham
Time: 11am until 8pm (8 hours)
Format: Briefing session, off-ice fitness test, on ice test & challenge game
Numbers: 46 players – 6 N/M, 16 defence, 24 forwards
Fee: £100 per player

Timetable
Arrival: 11:00 Registration
Presentation 1: 11:30 Welcome and outline of day
Presentation 2: 11:45 “England U13” – What we are looking for
Break/Change: 12:15 15 mins
On Ice Session 1: 12:30
Change/Food: 14:30 30 mins
Presentation 3: 15:00 “The Quebec Experience”
Off-ice Testing 15:30 Concourse level
Presentation 4: 15:45 Parents briefing Q&A (30 mins)
Break/Food 16:45 30 mins
Change for ice: 17:15
On Ice Session 2: 17:30
Change: 19:30
Wrap-up Brief 19:45 End of day briefing & next steps