Too Soon?

You may remember this guy from his playing days in the NHL over 14 seasons. That's defenceman Richard Matvichuk who won a Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars in 1999 where he spent 12 seasons as a player. He also played with the Minnesota North Stars prior to the franchise's move to Dallas, and with the New Jersey Devils in his NHL career. In other words, Richard Matvichuk was a very accomplished player before moving into management and coaching roles in both the ECHL and WHL. Today, Matvichuk is the hockey director at the Burnaby Winter Club, and we'll pick up this story at said club where they announced they were re-opening today.

Yes, you read that correctly: the Burnaby Winter Club is open for hockey business as of today according to the linked CBC article.

According to the report, "[t]here are no team practices, only private lessons, with the maximum number of people allowed on a full sheet of ice set at five — one instructor and four students" as the club tries to resume somewhat normal operations. As per the report, "[p]layers must arrive at the rink in full gear no earlier than 15 minutes before their ice time, and must follow the one-way traffic pattern that's been set into and out of the building" as well as using the "few appropriately distanced chairs where they can sit to put on skates". Dressing rooms, benches, and stands are closed to the public entirely, and parents are not permitted inside to watch their kids' hockey lessons.

While Matvichuk and club general manager Terry Schein have worked closely with Fraser Health Authority, the health authority in the area, to institute this re-opening so they can "give kids a chance to get out of the house and back on the ice" as per Matvichuk, the city of Burnaby hasn't posted the information about the opening of the club on their website and the number of COVID-19 cases in the Fraser Health Authority region remains the highest in British Columbia as per the BC Centre for Disease Control. As of this publication date, there were more cases in the Fraser Health region on May 6 than in the entire province on Manitoba!

Are we maybe jumping back into this just a wee bit too soon?

Look, this is admirable in that the guys just want to help kids "get out of the house and back on the ice", but what's the difference between May 6 and June 6 when it comes to ensuring the curve is actually flattened? I appreciate the strict rules that the club is implementing, but all it will take will be one outbreak by any of the kids or parents attending the camps to put this entire idea at risk. We know that asymptomatic people pass it on and kids hardly show symptoms at all when carrying the virus, so is it wise to take this risk?

We've all heard that only fools rush in, and I'm hopeful that everything works out for the best here with the Burnaby Winter Club opening. As Matvichuk told the CBC, "We received 150 emails in the first three minutes after announcing the reopening," and I truly hope that the vetting process - whatever that is - that they have in place will protect the families who are overly anxious to put their kids back on the ice.

If you asked me if I'd be signing my kid up, I'd tell you that I'd rather err on the side of caution for at least one more month until that curve in BC flattens entirely. "Be smart, stay home, be safe" isn't just a collection of catchwords. It's the best way to save lives.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!