I would expect high school hockey to be pushed until January if it happens at all. Football will probably be pushed until the spring but it does bring up an interesting question as to what happens to all the players who play football and lacrosse? Highly unlikely kids will be playing two contact sports at the same time. The question then becomes what happens with non-school related leagues? Will they be given the okay to proceed? Will U16-U18 become full season if there's a chance the high school season goes bye-bye? Still a lot of questions to be answered.

If you’re a 2
Sport athlete you can’t play both.. baker =loser

Teams will just set up exhibition games in NH and CT and also go to tournaments and showcases until the regular league season can start again.

Especially in the Elite divisions people aren't just going to sit around and wait.

Would be ironic if all of a sudden TG, MFF and CJH have a geographic advantage in the EHF and travel less than the Boston teams, but in 2020 everything is upside-down so it feels like that could actually happen if things keep going in the direction they are going.

makes a lot of sense, for all other states to be open, let rinks and small business lose money and players travel to RI and NH to play hockey, and state still cant prevent the "risk" as kids will still play and have contact and go to school.

DUMB by Baker

The real irony is that for kids in the 8 and older group, I’m not so sure that the virus is any riskier than the sport itself.

Good point. Kids are at more risk of a gruesome injury while playing hockey, than being hospitalized by a virus. It all comes down to whether you want to live in a bubble or not.

Hey buddy... GFY! Take that MD and shove it straight up your candy ass!!

This makes complete sense...until all the MA, RI teams start heading to NH for games and tournaments. Rink owners and programs owners will start screaming at the revenue loss including all retail loss because of No sales tax in NH. If Hockey continues North of the border with little health impact Baker looks like a mental midget. Most politicians care about 2 things...Money for themselves and their cronies...and getting re-elected.

Mass Hockey and USA dropped the ball. They should have been lobbying the governor with data. Casinos did.

Ivy League cancelled fall sports and soon D3 college will do the same. If you think Baker will allow youth hockey, football, soccer or other “high risk” sports to play in MA you’re crazy. It is time to get your kid playing baseball or golf bc that is all you will be able to play in MA this year.

People are missing the financial component, how much revenue do casinos generate compared to youth hockey?

my neighbors kids just played in a AAU basketball tournament in CT and he said the gym was packed...multiple games going on. Some parents wearing masks others not. There's a lot more contact in hoops than hockey...how is this possible.

I'm going to assume the MD is legit and it doesn't matter unless your player is only playing VHL or SSC. EHF-E9 will simply front load schedules for the first 1/4 to 1/2 of the season so all the MA/RI teams will be playing games on the road. NAHL combine moved to CT, HNIB trying to find ice in NH, etc., so it's already happening. The youth season will start on time but we're likely to get some interesting game times as open rinks will have added pressure to come up with ice time.

Too early to call what will happen to High School sports. I could certainly see high risk fall sports moving to spring in an effort to salvage a season but I can also envision no contact sports being played under this very conservative administration. If there is a delay to the start of the HS hockey season in Massachusetts, you can bet that owners will come up some a way to take advantage perhaps offer some type of scrimmage season from Thanksgiving to Christmas to fill the void.

Again, I would encourage all of you to call and email your state reps, state senators and the governor as well. Let them know of your displeasure with what you're reading about kids sports and the upcoming school year. I have already done so but we need numbers. The governor is not likely to be moved as he is not up for election for another 2 years, but I'm sure your state reps will be motivated as they are up for election this year. If enough people call and apply pressure they are sure to get motivated and press the governor. Please call/email your elected officials!

to find your legislators and email them your thoughts go here:

https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

still you gotta try or there is ZERO chance of games. I made the call and sent an e-mail. Crickets so far (not unexpected)

Contacting your elected officials is the first. Need to apply pressure in every form. There is safety in numbers. Sitting on your behind and posting snarky remarks will not get your kid on the ice. And, more importantly, it won't get you back to what you really love, which is posting snarky comments about 07's

"Hey buddy, Baker is in his second term so he’s term limited and won’t be running again."

Is that right?

Biggy Biggy Biggy can’t you see sometimes your words just hypnotize me and I just love your flashy ways this is why they broke and you’re so paid

My oh my .... what will we ever do with kids having to play Hockey during .... the actual hockey season

It amazes me how many people think the season will happen next year.

Truly spoken like a left wing never trumper.. Leagues/Teams will be creative in figuring out expansive skill sessions coupled with front loaded games out in NH and RI until the beginning of the year. Not an optimum solution but better that succumbing to the craziness of Gov Bakers rationale. Try walking around a Home Depot with about 200 people bouncing from aisle to aisle, go to a movie or better yet find your best threads and go do some hardcore protesting side by side with some other never trumpers but kids cant play ice hockey? Protesters were not only allowed but fully encouraged. So fed up with this non sense and the folks who get to decide who gets to do what primarily based on political beliefs and or how much tax revenue can be generated.

OK realize this is a youth board so if little Johnny misses part of a squirt year its really no big deal even though parents will probably think its ruining his development. It's not and it wont matter at all 5 years from now.

The age groups that are getting screwed are the teenagers in the peak of their "draft" years for higher levels (like last year HS/Prep kids) who wont get noticed/scouted and cant turn back the clock. For youth hockey players this is nothing more than a frustrating inconvenience in the big picture.

More ski days this season.

Not one youth has died in Mass from COVID...It is not a threat...They get sick, the flu...just like any other day or any other flu..The percentages are ridiculous...Doc