After months of delays determining the safest way for sports to proceed, we’re still not where we should be. Normally, we’d be in the thick of things with an idea of who’ll be taken in next year’s NHL Draft. Instead, we’re several games into each season trying to figure out who can and can’t play because of COVID.
At this point, there seem to be two options. Do leagues keep pushing forward with ever-changing guidelines or should seasons be put on hold until things get better? There’s no correct answer.
Community Comes Together for SJHL
In the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), arenas are capped at 150 fans per game which is putting a huge financial hit on each team. Typically, arenas are filled with over 1,500 fans who are paying for tickets, parking, concessions, and 50/50 raffles. Now, teams and the league are relying on their communities to help out in anyway possible.
Due to each arena’s setup, COVID protocols, and comfortability, some teams are opting to not sell concession stand goods, like the Melfort Mustangs. “It’s a bare-bones operation,” said the Mustangs marketing manager, Jaret Schneider.
It’s similar to local restaurants and other businesses. The community is relied on at these times to support local businesses rather than large corporations. Hopefully, communities can continue to turn out and meet the 150 capacity for SJHL games for the remainder of the season. It would be even better if the threshold could increase sooner than later as well.
Several States Stop All Sports
In Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Maine, and Vermont, interstate competitions have been put on hold effective November 14. This includes public and private schools along with youth hockey leagues.
“The seven states will suspend interstate competitions for public and private schools and youth hockey effective November 12, 2020 through at minimum December 31, 2020. The prohibition will not impact interstate collegiate, professional, or U.S. national team hockey activities, which will remain subject to existing health and safety protocols and/or restrictions,” in a joint statement that was released by all states.
Some good news from the statement is that it doesn’t explicitly say that junior hockey is part of the shutdown. The caveat for junior hockey is that it’s a partnership with the NCAA along with club programs. However, Maine said junior hockey leagues do fall under their sports checklist and will be included in the sports hiatus.
NAHL spokesman Alex Kyrias said that because the NAHL is not youth hockey, they don’t see themselves being included in the shutdown.
Expect to see arguments in the coming weeks as the gray areas in this decision continue to be exploited.
Keep checking back each week to listen to the latest podcasts and see more junior hockey updates. COVID is changing things around junior hockey leagues daily and we’ve got you covered. Be sure to follow @TJHP on Twitter along with me, @Nwinansw. We’ll see you next week.
