Affton Hockey is preparing for the start of the 2020-21 season while continuing to adhere to guidelines for the safest ways to engage in youth sports. Please keep in mind that all scheduled programs are subject to change due to Covid-19 restrictions. We are pleased to share the following updates with our families:
- Affton Americans conditioning camps for all age and skill levels will begin no earlier than August 10, followed by Missouri Youth Hockey evaluations beginning no earlier than August 19. Lady Liberty conditioning camps are scheduled to begin August 3 and evaluations August 16. There will not be separate conditioning or evaluation for players previously part of Affton Hockey’s House program. All players will be part of Affton Americans or Lady Liberty Hockey and teams will play as part of Missouri Youth Hockey’s expanded league that encompasses players of all skill levels. This season, Missouri Youth Hockey is discontinuing the gold, silver, and bronze levels of House League and adding a C-level to the Youth Division to accommodate players at a lower skill level. All Affton teams playing in Missouri Hockey Youth League will receive the same number of ice touches to allow for player development and to remain competitive with teams from other clubs. Please check afftonhockey.org and follow Affton Hockey or Lady Liberty Hockey on Facebook for updates.
- Affton Hockey, Meramec Hockey, and Southern Illinois Hockey are joining forces for the new South Pod of the Central States Development Hockey League (CSDHL). This new approach to CSDHL was designated by Missouri Hockey and also includes a North Pod (St. Peter’s and Twin Bridges) and a Central Pod (Chesterfield, Kirkwood, and Rockets). Each pod will have closed-border Central States teams participating in the CSDHL. The South Pod, named the St. Louis Eagles, includes teams at U10, U11, U12, U13, and U14. Affton Americans CSDHL teams at U15, U16, and U18 will continue as they have since their establishment and will not be part of the Eagles. Tryouts for all CSDHL teams are scheduled for the first two weeks of August. Details about both Eagles and Affton Americans CSDHL teams, including schedules and coaching staffs, are available here. Tryout registration will open soon. Please check afftonhockey.org and follow Affton Hockey on Facebook for updates.
- Uniform fittings for all Affton Americans and Lady Liberty players are scheduled for early August. Please check afftonhockey.org and follow Affton Hockey or Lady Liberty Hockey on Facebook for updates.
- The Affton Hockey Board decided to use the unforeseen closure of the Affton Rink due to Covid-19 as an opportunity to renovate the ice surface at the rink. The rink will not be available at the beginning of the 2020-21 season, however all Affton Hockey teams will continue to receive the same number of ice touches as in past seasons and we will make every effort to keep a regular practice schedule. We feel that this brief disruption will be worth the updated facilities at the Affton Rink. We anticipate the rink will reopen by December and we will provide updates at afftonhockey.org.
- Affton Hockey will continue to implement health screenings and cleaning protocols at our rinks. Additional changes to our operations and to intended schedules for programs may be necessary in response to Covid-19. Those registered for our programs will receive updates as necessary. As of now, we anticipate running a full season for our players. We appreciate your patience as we navigate this unique situation.
Please continue to check afftonhockey.org and follow Affton Hockey or Lady Liberty on Facebook for the latest updates. Please direct questions about the upcoming season to Affton Hockey Director Sean Hazelton. Please direct questions about Lady Liberty Hockey to Kasey Kaiser. We look forward to seeing you at the rink!