Waconia Hockey Association

WHA Members,                                                    

On behalf of the WHA Board of Directors I wanted to share information with you regarding our decision to continue supporting the USA Hockey Co-Ed locker room policy.  The board feels it is important that you have factual information and understand the basis for our decision, whether you agree with it or not.   

To the right is a copy of the USA Hockey policy/guideline for Co-Ed locker rooms for your review.  As you can see, the policy recommends that male and female players dress and undress in separate locker rooms when possible.   In cases where this is not possible (typically the case) they suggest sharing a locker room.  One gender changes and leaves the locker room.  The other gender then changes and both assemble in the locker room.  A similar procedure is followed when they get undressed. 

In the past, I believe there were minimal issues as girls playing on boys competitive teams typically dressed and undressed off site or in separate areas of the arena.  The board was recently asked to consider a minimum garment policy.  This would require both genders to dress in a minimum of shorts and t-shirt under their hockey gear.  The players then dress and undress in the same locker room.  The minimum garment policy is an added option  to the policy for 1 association in Michigan.

The board sought the counsel of District 6.  Their recommendation was to strictly comply with the USA Hockey Policy.  The board also received feedback some parents  with players at the competitive levels were not comfortable with a minimum garment policy.  We also considered the fact that our insurance coverage for the WHA comes through USA Hockey.  If a minimum garment policy was implemented and an incident occurred, the WHA would face significant exposure.  We run the risk of not being in compliance with USA Hockey policy and having our insurance coverage in jeopardy. Under the circumstances, the board was in agreement that the only prudent decision was to strictly comply with Hockey USA  Policy.

Our expectation is this issue will continue to evolve over time as more information is considered by Hockey USA.  Please know that the board intends to consider a minimum garment policy if/when it is adopted by USA Hockey.  In addition, we are in the process of creating an additional “opposite gender” locker room that can be used as needed to facilitate compliance to Hockey USA guidelines.

Unfortunately, advocates of the minimum garment policy are very adamant that Mites & Ice Mites must follow the same guidelines as competitive teams.  We are in the process of seeking additional guidance on this from USA Hockey as we do not want to support it at that level.  However, during the interim Mites & Ice Mites must dress & undress in separate locker rooms.  In the event a parent or guardian of the opposite gender must help a child in the locker room they need to talk with one of the locker room monitors.  If a monitor feels that all skaters are adequately dressed, the parent or guardian will be allowed to enter the locker room and assist the child.

Thank you!
Best Regards,
Joe Kalenberg
President, Waconia Hockey Association

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