The start of the Superior International Junior Hockey League regular season has been delayed.
The League was hoping to open the new campaign on November 14 but Commissioner Darrin Nicholas says some teams are still facing significant challenges with facilities.
Nicholas says their on-ice product will also need to be modified under present restrictions to minimize physical contact.
No start date has been announced.
Instead the SIJHL is launching a series of Pre-Season games starting this Friday and running all the way to December 14.
Nicholas says this will give everyone a chance to adjust to the changes.
The two American teams won’t be involved.
Dryden and Red Lake are scheduled to face-off for the first time on November 13.
Nicholas says there is still a bit of uncertainty as to how their games will look.
“So not only will an exhibition window afford the league some much-needed time to sort through the various facility issues, but it will also allow our players, coaches and officials to get accustomed to our in-game modifications before points start counting in the standings.”
Nicholas notes “There is also a sense of optimism within our group that a safe return to competition may pave the way to having restrictions further loosened provided we continue to see relatively low levels of virus activity in our region.”
He calls the commencement of game action in the league a welcomed step in the right direction.
“It’s great to be able to shift the focus for our league back where it belongs-on the ice. We certainly want to thank Hockey Northwestern Ontario for their advocacy and leadership to get us to this point, and we remain unified in our commitment to a safe return to hockey.”
The return-to-play has been approved by the Northwestern Health Unit and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
Here is the SIJHL Pre-Season Schedule (*ALL TIMES CENTRAL)
Friday November 6: Thunder Bay North Stars at Kam River Fighting Walleye 7:00pm
Saturday November 7: Kam River Fighting Walleye at Thunder Bay North Stars 7:00pm
Friday November 13: Thunder Bay North Stars at Kam River Fighting Walleye 7:00pm
Friday November 13: Red Lake Miners vs. Dryden GM Ice Dogs (location TBD)
Saturday November 14: Kam River Fighting Walleye at Thunder Bay North Stars 7:00pm
Saturday November 14: Red Lake Miners vs. Dryden GM Ice Dogs (location TBD)
Friday November 27: Thunder Bay North Stars at Kam River Fighting Walleye 7:00pm
Saturday November 28: Red Lake Miners vs. Fort Frances Lakers (location TBD)
Saturday November 28: Kam River Fighting Walleye at Thunder Bay North Stars 7:00pm
Sunday November 29: Red Lake Miners vs. Fort Frances Lakers (location TBD)
Friday December 4: Thunder Bay North Stars at Kam River Fighting Walleye 7:00pm
Saturday December 5: Kam River Fighting Walleye at Thunder Bay North Stars 7:00pm
Sunday December 13: Dryden GM Ice Dogs vs. Fort Frances Lakers (location TBD)
Monday December 14: Dryden GM Ice Dogs vs. Fort Frances Lakers (location TBD)
Some exciting news! @FF_Lakers @DrydenGMIceDogs @KamRiverWalleye @RedLakeMiners @TRFNorskies @WILumberjacks #SIJHL https://t.co/UpBYJ1JnJA
— SIJHL (@SIJHL) November 2, 2020
