The fate of Junior hockey in Minnesota for the 2020-21 season is starting to look very grim. Last week the Governor of Minnesota released emergency executive order 20-99 which highlights youth and adult sports throughout the state to be put on hold till at least Dec. 18
State of Minnesota Emergency Executive Order 20-99
The new restrictions implemented by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday, designed to slow the spread of COVID-19, including shutting down all youth and high school sports for four weeks, from midnight Friday (Nov. 20) through at least Dec. 18.
“Organized Youth Sports. Organized Youth Sports organizations and
programs must stop all in-person activities—including practices, group
workouts, games, and tournaments.”–Paragraph ‘G’ of Executive Order 20-99
“Organized Adult Sports. Organized Adult Sports organizations and
programs must stop all in-person activities—including practices, group
workouts, games, and tournaments.”–Paragraph ‘H’ of Executive Order 20-99
Hockey arenas are also on the list of facilities to be shut down, though college and pro hockey teams in the state will be allowed to continue to practice and play.
Multiple league sources indicated over the past week that the league was in talks with the state, to determine which category junior hockey falls under, the youth/high school category or the college/pro category. Hockey is the only sport with that gray area, a level of play that bridges a gap between high school and college hockey.
There are currently 17 junior hockey teams in the state of Minnesota.
The Bruins, St. Cloud Norsemen, Minnesota Magicians, and Minnesota Wilderness play in the Tier II NAHL. Two Alaska-based teams — Kenai River and Fairbanks — are playing their home games in Minnesota, at least for the first half of the season. Kenai River is based in Breezy Point, while Fairbanks is playing its home games in Marshall.
The NA3HL is home to five Minnesota teams: Rochester, Granite City, New Ulm, Alexandria, and Willmar.
There are also six Minnesota teams in the United States Premier Hockey League, including the Rochester Vipers and the Steele County Blades.
At this time it is still unclear what direction Junior Hockey will take throughout the midwest. As this story unfolds TJHP will report future developments.
