We made it another week without any COVID outbreaks…that we’re aware of. There’s big news coming from the QMJHL, NJ hockey gains approval to play, and high school hockey players are in a bind. Here’s this week’s biggest news.
QMJHL Gets Government Funding
A few weeks ago, the QMJHL was in a tight spot. They needed funding in order to operate this season but in order to do so, it would mean a change to their rules. The Quebec government wanted a change to fighting penalties across the QMJHL to increase safety amongst its players. After backlash from both sides, it’s been determined that all players involved in a fight will be assessed a misconduct penalty of 10 minutes which will be in addition to the five-minute major. After the third fight for a given player, that player will receive a one-game suspension along with another game for each additional fight. There were 33 players who had three or more fights last season.
The Quebec government announced that with these rule changes, they will provide funding for the QMJHL to continue operations for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. “This support is essential for our teams which are important economic engines for their regions. They play an integral part in their community’s well-being while providing extensive media coverage for their cities. It was crucial for the league’s sustainability to obtain the necessary resources to keep our players, coaches, and staff in place. Consequently, we can remain the top developmental league for the National Hockey League and Canadian University hockey programs while continuing to develop tomorrow’s leaders,” said QMJHL Commissioner Giles Corteau.
New Jersey Hockey Gains Approval
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order last week allowing certain sports to compete in his state. Although hockey gained the approval to play, the state is still restricting fans from attending games.
Due to locker rooms being closed, all coaches, personnel, and players must enter the arena in uniforms, game attire, or whatever will be worn during the game. In order for teams to enter the arena and any outdoor facilities, everyone is subject to a checkpoint which includes a sign-in form and temperature check.
Although New Jersey teams aren’t thrilled with the rules, they’re just happy to be on the ice and participating in the game they love.
High Schoolers are Forced to Make Tough Decision
Determining what you want to do for the rest of your life as a 16-year old is one of the most absurd demands of high schoolers that I can think of. For many, the dream is to make it as a professional athlete and if that doesn’t work out, well, you’re not supposed to think those negative thoughts.
For high schoolers in Minnesota, the dream is to compete at a high level, play in the state’s high school tournament, play junior hockey, go to college, get drafted, and become a star. A relatively simple goal… This year, due to COVID, this year’s tournament is in jeopardy and many high schoolers are put in a tight spot. Do they continue to play high school hockey in a shortened season and hope the tournament materializes or do they opt for junior hockey?
This year’s junior hockey competition is heightened due to several teams opting out of the season meaning fewer roster spots and playing at a level that might not be suited for a player’s skillset. Spots are extremely limited and college players are playing for their USHL teams until their collegiate teams resume…if and when that happens.
High schoolers are being forced to continue playing high school hockey for the time being although they should be on a junior hockey roster. Junior hockey rosters are loaded because they have existing junior hockey players along with collegiate players mixed in. If high school sports are cut short and/or college sports don’t resume as scheduled, junior hockey competition is going to be great to watch but terrible for the athletes who could and should be participating in various leagues.
Let us know your thoughts about this week’s roundup. Do you agree with the Quebec government stepping in to fund junior hockey? Should there be expansion teams for the USHL and other leagues who had teams opt-out of this season for high school and college players to participate in if their respective levels don’t participate? Follow us on Twitter @JRHockeyPodcast along with me @Nwinansw. We’ll see you next week.
