The past several months have made junior hockey operations extremely difficult. With things looking up, the past several weeks looked like brighter days were on the horizon. Unfortunately, that news came to a halt last week when the Revelstoke Grizzlies announced that they’ll be shutting down their season.
The news is a blow to the Grizzlies of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL), but the league is on pause through February 5 due to COVID regardless.
“In light of having received multiple positive test results, we have had to make another hard decision. It is with a heavy heart that we have ceased operations for the 2020-21 KIJHL season”
Ryan Parent, Head Coach & General Manager
The league plans to reevaluate after their pause to determine the outcome of the rest of their season. It is unclear if Grizzlies players will be eligible to join another league in the interim or continue practicing.
NAHL Combine Registration Opens
COVID won’t stop hockey, at least according to the NAHL! There are two age groups available for the 2021 combine. These groups include players born between 2001 and 2005 and those born between 2005 and 2007.
The following dates and locations are open for players in both groups to register and attend:
- April 16-18, 2021 – St. Louis, Missouri
- April 23-25, 2021 – Middletown, New Jersey
- April 30-May 2, 2021 – Columbus, Ohio
- May 7-9, 2021 – Attleboro, Massachusetts
- May 14-16, 2021 – Anaheim, California
The NAHL strives to promote education, exposure, and experience through their combines and anyone looking to play at the next level is encouraged to join. To register, they ask for you to register here.
QMJL Makes Schedule Changes
Due to Canadian COVID protocols, the QMJHL has announced its plans to tweak the Cape Breton Eagles, Charlottetown Islanders, and Halifax Mooseheads schedules. Canadian Government officials in the Maritime Provinces approved the continuation of the QMJHL season, however, the league needed to adjust its schedule to not travel between provinces to restrict the spread of COVID.
What seems like a large task is a small price to pay to continue out the rest of the season. If that’s what other leagues need to do in order to keep playing, I think everyone would agree that they’re all for it.
Hopefully, the rollout of COVID vaccines continues to open more activities and businesses across North America. I think it’s safe to say that everyone has had enough of the shutdowns and is ready to get back to “normal”, safe life again.
Check back next week for junior hockey news. Check us out on Twitter @TJHP and @Nwinansw. We’ll see you next week.
