EDMONTON, Alta. – The NAIT Ooks men's and women's hockey programs returned to the ice last week to begin training for the upcoming season. With the effects of COVID-19, the coaches are adapting to a new reality.  

Thanks to the NAIT Recreation Facilities' staff's hard work, the Ooks can begin training under a comprehensive NAIT Arena Safety Relaunch Plan. Within the plan, several new guidelines are put in place, adhering to those put forward by the province.

New guidelines will require frequent sanitizing of the equipment and rooms, limitations on when student-athletes are allowed in the facility, and mandatory wearing of masks when not in the dressing room or on the ice, to list a few.  

"Terry (Baumgartner, NAIT Arena operations supervisor) and his staff have been super accommodating throughout the process," said men's hockey coach Scott Fellnermayr. "The arena staff have communicated all of the new guidelines to us, and have been very supportive and helpful in trying to offer the student-athletes an enjoyable training experience while remaining safe at the same time."

With all of the changes, the coaches are faced with the challenge of supporting the student-athletes, both academically and athletically, while ensuring safety guidelines are followed. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of time, as the players can only show up to the arena 30 minutes before practice and must be gone 30 minutes after.

"In the past, we could always pull guys in for one-on-one meetings, to chat about their academics, hockey, or just life in general. Now being limited on face-to-face time, most individual meetings are virtual. It is a bit more challenging, but we are working through it to ensure we are supporting the needs of the student-athletes as best we can," said Fellnermayr.

The student-athletes are also facing challenges with time restraints. Typically student-athletes would come to the rink at least an hour beforehand to warm up and get dressed before practice. Now they must do all of their warming up in the confines of the dressing room and in a shortened amount of time before suiting up and hitting the ice. 

"The players understand the seriousness of the situation. It's been really easy for us as coaches with them remaining so positive and resilient, they are just happy to be back on the ice, " said Fellnermayr. 

With the support and cooperation of all parties involved, the new guidelines should allow the teams to remain training through the fall semester while staying safe. It is the new norm, and the coaches acknowledge that.

"At the end of the day, these are all minor details; everyone in the world is facing challenges. The priority is safety. These challenges are forcing us coaches to adapt, which in the long run is great for both professional and personal growth," said Fellnermayr. "We are all grateful for the chance to get back on the ice. It's not all about athletics right now. I think it is great for the student-athletes' mental health to be able to get out there and fire pucks around. It adds a bit of normality to their lives during these unique times."

The NAIT Ooks men's and women's hockey teams will continue to train throughout the fall semester in preparations for the 2020-2021 season, scheduled to begin in January.