Recreational hockey and other adult sports in Saskatchewan are back to not needing masks during play if participants are fully vaccinated. (Submitted Photo/Ernie Heit Memorial Hockey League)

By Rob Mahon

No Masks On Ice

Local adult sports teams back to mask-less play

Oct 26, 2021 | 3:03 PM

Mandatory masking for physical activity in Saskatchewan changed recently, and local recreational sports leagues were relieved with the change. Participants no longer need to wear masks while taking part in physical activity.

While there is a sense of relief about taking the masks off to play hockey, indoor soccer, or other sports, most leagues were just relieved to get underway this year. The memory of the last two seasons, shortened or lost entirely due to COVID-19, is still fresh.

“Very grateful to play, no matter what the circumstances,” said Jesse Heit, director of the Ernie Heit Memorial Hockey League. “Last year it was the day of puck drop early in November they shut us down. We didn’t get to skate at all. We only had four practices and then it was time to go and they shut us down. The year before it was in March, before playoffs, they shut us down then.”

Wearing a mask to do physical activity, whether to work out or to play a sport, was an adjustment for many. With the removal of that restriction during the game, many people are starting to feel like their sport of choice is almost back to normal.

“No more complaints really,” Heit said. “Everyone is so conditioned wearing them into the building that it’s just second nature now. To peel them off to go for a skate is pretty incredible, which is weird because it’s just normal life but it feels like we’re privileged.”

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Vaccination is still required for physical activity ranging from gyms to participation in most adult sports leagues, while some leagues are only allowed to go ahead if they require either of masks or proof of vaccination. Leagues have lost some players due to vaccine status, while others were reluctant to come when masks were required.

“I think we lost a couple for sure, they heard the masks were coming and just never signed up,” Heit said. “Now that they’re taken away, I don’t know if they’re having regrets or what. It all happened in August when we were told that we were going to have to wear them. We lost a team, for sure, and probably two or three players from every team.”

Heit added the mask mandate changing to accommodate the fully vaccinated seemed to sneak up on some people a bit, but their league was kept well-informed by the staff at the Art Hauser Centre.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.ca

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP