We’re working with our rink partners as they each roll out their plans for safety and wellbeing at the rink. At the very least this includes enhanced sanitizing throughout the facility, with greater attention to touch points (handles, knobs, fixtures, benches, vending machines) and high use areas (benches, lobby, restrooms). Players should expect one way traffic patterns in the rink to maintain distance between visitors. Players will be required to space out when changing and on the benches to provide appropriate distancing. No spectators will be allowed at this time. Locker rooms and showers are not be available.

On and off the ice, the state requires our game staff to wear face coverings, and direct interaction will be limited. Additionally, our referees will be wearing gloves and using electronic whistles. Per state requirements, all players are required to wear a face covering (the one we offer is in our pro shop) at all times, including on the ice and benches. Face coverings must cover both the nose and mouth.

One of the great things about the StinkySocks Hockey community is that our players respect and care for each other. Now more than ever that matters. If you find out that you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 or if you become symptomatic within 10 days of playing, we ask that you help protect others by informing us by phone or email. Your identity will never be disclosed.

We work closely with the state’s Contact Tracing Collaborative (CTC) to proactively maintain a plan and processes for responding to reports of positive COVID-19 cases. We maintain a definite list of players who were present at each game to enable effective contact tracing and notification. In the case that we are notified of such a situation, we’ll inform anyone who may have come into contact with that person if they were believed to be in their infectious period, as determined by the local board of health or the CTC. Our notifications will arrive via email. We’ve ask the CTC to assist us with phone notifications to provide more information on testing availability and follow up, as they are in the best position to provide complete information. Calls from them will have a caller ID of MA COVID TEAM and are likely to come from a phone number beginning with 833.

StinkySocks Hockey games operated during COVID times: 900+
Players reported infectious after having played in a StinkySocks Hockey game: 13
Possible infections in StinkySocks Hockey games: 2
Infection clusters resulting from StinkySocks Hockey games: 0

As of 4/7/2021, StinkySocks Hockey had operated over 800 games during COVID times. In that timeframe, we had 13 players who we learned would have been infectious at their time of participation. In each of these cases, we’ve worked with the state’s Contact Tracing Collaborative (CTC) to follow players 14 days after exposure to gather data on the results of their COVID test results and, in the absence of a test, whether they had developed any symptoms during their quarantine period. Of those followed, only 2 reported having become symptomatic or have tested positive, with those 2 statistically more likely to have been general community transmissions unrelated to hockey. 800+ games, 13 known exposures, 2 possible transmissions, ZERO clusters. These numbers highlight the result of complying with state requirements, including wearing masks at all times and distancing, and they stand in contrast to what is being seen when those precautions are not taken.

What data do you have on the risk at StinkySocks Hockey games?

All of the data that we have been given suggests that the risk for transmission during a game is extremely low. Please see the SSH-specific data above. 

Will I be notified if someone who I played a game with tests positive for COVID-19 or is suspected to be positive?

Yes, we will inform you if there was anyone in a game with you who then becomes symptomatic or test positive for COVID-19 within 72 hours. However, the infectious period is considered to be 48 hours prior to becoming symptomatic, or 48 hours of a test being taken that is positive in the case of no symptoms.

If I participate in a hockey game and someone later tests positive or becomes symptomatic, am I considered to be a close contact?

Yes, as of December 2020, DPH now considers everyone on the ice to be a close contact. This is the guidance that you should follow.

The above was a change from the previous guidance that considered close contacts to be anyone who was within 6’ of an infected individual for a cumulative 15 minutes within a 24-hour period. Defining close contacts formerly included bench and ice time, lacing up, congregating in lobbies and parking lots pre- and post- game, carpooling to and from the rink, and any other contact that occurs during a typical practice/scrimmage/game.

Where can I get tested?

If you believe that you may have been at risk of exposure or want to be tested for peace of mind, we recommend contacting your doctor for guidance. You can also access Stop the Spread sites (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread) that are provided at no cost by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. There is also a complete map of publicly available testing sites (https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13). Please keep in mind that some of these may come at a cost and may still be using rapid testing as opposed to the recommended PCR testing. If a rapid test comes back positive, a PCR test is required to confirm a diagnosis, so we recommend that you get tested using a PCR test whenever possible.

If I’ve tested positive, when can I return to play?

Those who have tested positive and were not symptomatic can return to play 14 days following the day of their testing. Those who were symptomatic can return to play 14 days following the onset of their symptoms, provided that they have not had any symptoms within the past 7 days.

If you see something that makes you feel uncomfortable or have suggestions of how we can increase the comfort and safety of everyone, please let us know. Many of the best ideas on how we can return to the ice the right way will come from our players.