It won’t be the same roar of the crowd in local arenas but it appears hockey will be back this winter.
The Northwestern and Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s have approved Hockey Northwestern Ontario’s ‘Return to Hockey’ Framework.
Hockey was cancelled from coast to coast to coast on March 12th and officials have been working throughout the pandemic to prepare for the games return.
Under the plan game play is not permitted until mid-October.
It also allows for people in the stands as long as the number doesn’t exceed that on the ice.
HNO President Jason Perrier stresses the framework is fresh in everyone’s mind, so he encourages everyone to be patient as member Associations review it and plan accordingly for the start of the season.
Perrier says the plan is a long time coming and although the release is later in the summer that they would have liked, it was extremely important that they got their framework right and received permission from health officials.
HNO is responsible for all regional organizations including high school, minor hockey, senior hockey and the Superior International Junior Hockey League.
