New Hockey Canada policy requires players wear a ‘base layer’ in the dressing room

Hockey Canada has implemented a new policy requiring minor league hockey players to wear a base layer of clothing in the dressing room.

The Dressing Room Policy applies to any minor team sanctioned by the organization — covering those in the youngest age group all the way up to 18-year-olds — and prohibits players from fully stripping down to change into their gear unless they head over to a closed-off bathroom stall and close the door.

While that may not be a lot to ask for some, there are many dressing rooms at hockey rinks across Canada that only have one or two bathroom stalls — not nearly enough closed spaces for upwards of 20 hockey players. This is a problem Hockey Canada seemingly foresaw, as it recognizes the limitations of some buildings and asks associations to “ensure that appropriate and equivalent dressing environments are available to all participants” in the policy’s guidelines.

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The change came into effect on Sept. 12 of this year, and it will be in effect until at least three years from that date — when it goes up for its next review. The policy was first brought to the table in a preliminary stage in 2010 and saw revisions in March 2021 and June 2023 prior to being released.

In a statement emailed to CityNews, Hockey Canada says the policy’s purpose is to “enhance the safety of all participants through proper supervision and minimum attire requirements.”

“All participants have the right to utilize the dressing room or appropriate and equivalent dressing environment based on their gender identity, religious beliefs, body image concerns, and/or other reasons related to their individual needs,” the organization stated.

“The minimum requirements of attire and supervision are aligned with the principles of the Rule of Two, which is an accepted best practice in the Canadian Sport System. Similar policies with minimum attire and supervision requirements have been previously implemented with provincial and territorial, national and international hockey and ringette organization.”

The aforementioned Rule of Two asks all minor hockey programs to ensure teams have a pair of “trained and screened adults” in the dressing room or immediately outside of the room with the door open at all times.

In terms of who is expected to enforce the new policy, Hockey Canada asks coaches and team staff to take responsibility.

Further details on the Dressing Room Policy can be found on Hockey Canada’s website.