COVID-19 is still an issue across the world and it’s beginning to wreak havoc in North American junior hockey leagues. The NA3HL, USPHL, and EHL started their regular season already and things have been successful thus far. The USHL’s regular season gets started this week, November 6.
In Canada, junior hockey is facing a tough reality. Hockey is on the verge of being suspended. Each QMJHL team received $1 million from the Quebec government to help teams survive without fans in attendance. There have been two outbreaks so far and for teams in areas the government has deemed “red zones”, sports were prohibited until last week. The WHL plans to start their reduced season on January 8 but teams in different provinces pose problems for the league. The league is struggling to find a way for safe travel while following each province’s COVID guidelines. The OHL plans to get started in December but at this time, doesn’t have a scheduled start date. They’re also struggling to move forward if they have to ban body checking.
Sports are giving us all some sense of normalcy during these unprecedented times but it’s important to remember that these are kids, not professionals. The number one job of each league is keeping its players safe and healthy, even if that means suspending play for a week or several.
Keep an eye out for next week’s update along with the latest podcasts.
Be sure to follow @TJHP on Twitter along with myself @Nwinansw. We’ll see you next week.
