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their friends, kids are happy to bring a sense of normalcy back into their young lives in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. "I think people were generally very happy to just be back on the ice," Guzdek said. "We heard a couple of grumbles because no spec- tators were allowed, but I think everybody was just generally happy to be back in the building and getting on the ice again." Returning To The Rinks To help rinks prepare to roll out the red car- pet, USA Hockey teamed up with its partners at U.S. Figure Skating and the U.S. Ice Rinks Association to create a blueprint to get peo- ple back on the ice in a safe manner. The Returning to the Rinks document encourages rinks to follow the guidelines created by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal, state and local agencies as they create their own plans for reopening. "Programs that work well in the hockey world have solid relationships with their local rinks as well as their figure skating c l u b s," sa i d Ke v i n E r l e n b a c h , a s s i st a n t executive director of membership for USA Hockey who has worked with rinks and local associations to reopen around the country. "We all want the same thing and need the same thing. Rinks are the lifeblood of our sport and we need them to be profitable and able to stay in business in order to keep all of our kids on the ice." Many of the protocols mirror those pro- moted to navigate daily life in the pandemic, including tips on practicing social distancing, cleaning facilities and encouraging good personal hygiene. Other topics are more sport specific, wheth- er it's managing the size and scope of a learn- to-skate program to creating practice plans that keep players moving, active and engaged. " B o b M a n c i n i , o n e o f o u r [ A m e r i c a n D e ve l o p m e n t Mo d e l ] m a n a g e r s, a l way s says, 'No lines, no laps and no lectures,'" USA Hockey Executive Director Pat Kelleher told ESPN.com. "You don't want kids standing in line, and you don't want them sitting there listening to a lecture on the ice." One Size May Not Fit All As the coronavirus pandemic hit in March it impacted various parts of the country to differing degrees. S o m e st a t e s b a r e l y m i s s e d a b e a t a n d quickly became the envy of the hockey-play- ing nation as stories of leagues and tourna- ments taking place quickly hit the news- papers and airwaves. Other parts of the country waged a prolonged life-or-death battle as the virus hit states hard. And still other areas that seemed to be spared in early rounds have found themselves in the grip of an early summer onslaught. "The situation in Minot, N.D., is a lot dif- ferent than New York City, which is a lot different than Fairbanks, Alaska," said Dr. Michael Stuart, USA Hockey's chief medical and safety officer. "That's why we have to look to county health boards, state medical associations and different governmental restrictions and not just have a global policy for all of USA Hockey." In New York State, which was hit partic- ularly hard early on with Covid-19 cases, there was a more measured approach to reopening the state. The opening of rinks and other recreational facilities didn't take place until July 6 as part of Phase 3 of the state's reopening plans. In Amherst, communication has been the key to getting everyone on the same page. Protocols are listed on the Amherst Police Department website and on signs positioned throughout the facility. Masks are mandatory for everyone and must be worn at all times except when skat- ers are on the ice. And participants, many in AUGUST 2020 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM // 19 As rinks continue to reopen, it's been important to check with state and local health departments to create the safest environment for players to get back on the ice. "Coaches have to be creative and use all the things they've learned in the coaching education process so they can make the most of their 60 minutes on the ice." PHOTOS BY Don Egdorf