Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO) announced their vaccination policy on October 2, 2021 which included a list of individuals required to be fully vaccinated, including players born in 2009 or later, by November 27, 2021 to participate in HNO programming.    

HNO has now released the specific details of the policy and there has been no change to the above.  The policy is available at www.hockeyhno.com.  

At this point, Thunder Bay Minor Hockey Association (TBMHA) is unaware of the total effect this policy will have on its programming for the 2021-2022 season and is working to review options. 

Based on the vaccination policy, for those players that are looking to opt out of the TBMHA programming for the 2021-2022 season, and in order to maximize the refund of the initial $500 paid to TBMHA, the players need to opt out of the programming and communicate to their team that they will no longer be participating no later than Monday October 25, 2021.  Players would be ineligible to continue playing once they have opted out of the hockey programming.  The teams/organizations will communicate the names to TBMHA and refunds will be expedited as quick as possible.  A portion of team fees due to organizations would still be expected to be paid as well.   

For those that choose to play after October 25, 2021 but subsequently opt out due to the vaccination policy, no refund of the initial $500 paid to TBMHA will be made by TBMHA.  A portion of team fees due to organizations would still be expected to be paid as well.    

For those that are fully vaccinated by November 27, 2021 no further actions are required other than to show proof of being fully vaccinated to your team/organization.