The Superior International Junior Hockey League has announced an indefinite pause to all activities and games due to Ontario’s State of Emergency.
The Board of Governors has deemed it impossible to continue to plan for a resumption of play under the current restrictions.
The lockdown is scheduled to end February 11 but league officials say planning for a February 12 continuation isn’t productive given experiences with similar restrictive measures that have been extended prior to their expiration.
The League says it remains committed to identifying any pathways that may still exist to completing the season, but options will only be evaluated when restrictions are loosened enough to support the return to practice and games.
Commissioner Darrin Nicholas says “I applaud our operating member clubs that were able to assemble their teams and remained persistent in our efforts to offer our players a meaningful experience this season despite the monumental challenges. We have proven that we can execute our operations safely and with the discipline required in our billet homes, our communities and on the ice.
Nicholas adds “Our Board of Governors has defined the conditions under which we shall proceed. Firstly, we must be able to continue to execute with paramount focus on the health and well-being of our players, staff, billet homes and communities. Beyond that, we need to be able to play a meaningful regular season and playoff schedule and determine a champion within our usual mid-late-April time frame.”
He says right now the SIJHL is taking a ‘wait and see’ approach.
