Typically, we’d be somewhere a little past the halfway point for the majority of hockey leagues around North America. Now, you’d be hard-pressed to figure out if a team or league was even finishing out their season! Lucky for you, we’ve got you covered.
Rochester, NY Brings Back Hockey
In my hometown of Rochester, New York, hockey is finally back. After months of waiting, hockey players are finally able to take the ice after high-risk sports were approved to resume. While guidelines are strict, kids here are just glad to be back out doing what they love to do. Two players were asked what it meant to finally be back and they said “it’s just fun. I like to play defense.” Another said “I’m very happy. My favorite part of hockey is scoring goals, being with my friends, and playing with them.”
Shawn Wilkins, coach of the Junior Americans was quoted as saying, “some kids didn’t sleep last night. A lot of excitement towards it. It will probably be an abbreviated season, get in some games here and there when we can and just go from there and play everyday and just schedules teams that are available really at this point.”
Sports in New York have been few and far between the past seven plus months and hopefully, this is a sign that positive things are on the horizon!
KIJHL Cancels Season
As one season begins, another shuts down. Last week the Revelstoke Grizzlies of the KIJHL announced their intention to forgo the remainder of their season due to COVID. If they just waited one week they could’ve let the league announce the news for them.
The league announced last Friday that they would be canceling the remainder of their season due to government restrictions. Essentially, time just isn’t on their side. With COVID altering schedules nearly daily, rescheduled games can only be pushed out so far. With Spring coming quick, many rinks used by the league will be draining their arenas for maintenance. When that happens, the league would need to scramble to find other arenas in operation which would create a further headache for already troubling times.
QMJHL Leaders
Points Leaders:
- 1 – Cédric Desruisseaux: Charlottetown, Islanders – 35
- 2 – Thomas Casey: Charlottetown, Islanders – 32
- 3 – Shawn Element: Victoriaville, Tigres – 31
- 4 – Elliot Desnoyers: Halifax, Mooseheads – 26
- 5 – Lukas Cormier: Charlottetown, Islanders – 26
Top Goaltenders:
- 1 – Colten Ellis: Charlottetown, Islanders – 2.08 GAA
- 2 – Francesco Lapenna: Drummondville, Voltigeurs – 2.12
- 3 – Alexis Shank: Chicoutimi, Saguenéens – 2.13
- 4 – Olivier Adam: Blainville-Boisbriand, Armada – 2.18
- 5 – William Blackburn: Val-d’Or, Foreurs – 2.22
USHL Leaders
Points Leaders
- 1 – Sean Farrell: Chicago, Steel – 52
- 2 – Matt Coronato: Chicago, Steel – 48
- 3 – Erik Middendorf: Chicago, Steel – 43
- 4 – Danil Gushchin: Muskegon, Lumberjacks – 39
- 5 – Cameron Berg: Muskegon, Lumberjacks – 37
Top Goaltenders:
- 1 – Todd Scott: Tri-City, Storm – 2.05 GAA
- 2 – Jakub Dobes: Omaha, Lancers – 2.14
- 3 – Brennan Boynton: Fargo, Force – 2.32
- 4 – Akira Schmid: Sioux City, Musketeers – 2.35
- 5 – Remington Keopple: Des Moines, Buccaneers – 2.63
As of now, the OHL has yet to announce a start date for their season. As of now, it looks more of an IF they will play rather than a when. The news about sports returning to New York is good news and we’re hoping there’s more good news coming.
If there are other leagues you’d like us to feature, let me know. Keep up on your junior hockey news and check us out on Twitter @TJHP and @Nwinansw. We’ll see you next week.
