In a world filled with so many negatives, it’s hard to find something positive at a time like this. Every week I look for positive news from North American junior hockey leagues but every passing day makes it tougher and tougher.
As we get closer and closer to Christmas and the World Juniors, the likelihood of hockey still being played is extremely slim. The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) has elected to pause their season until 2021 and other leagues are struggling just to keep somewhat of a normal schedule.
Team Canada recently had two players test positive for COVID and the entire team is being quarantined for 14 days. “Following the confirmation of two positive tests among players at Canada’s National Junior Team sport Chek Selection Camp on Monday, Hockey Canada has confirmed that all players, coaches, and staff are considered close contacts and are therefore subject to the mandatory 14-day quarantine period under Alberta Health Services Order 05-2020,” said Hockey Canada’s Senior Vice-President of National Teams, Scott Salmond.
This case of COVID likely won’t be the last for any team attending the World Juniors in Edmonton, but it begs the question, should the tournament trudge on? Playing and watching brings some sort of normalcy to the world we live in but at what cost? As of now, there hasn’t been an open discussion about postponing or shutting down the tournament. However, we all know things are changing daily, and fast.
SJHL Postponing Season
As of Wednesday, November 25, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) has announced that all games after Friday, November 27 have been postponed until after Christmas. The league is subject to the rule of the Saskatchewan government and Saskatchewan Health organization so this pause may be subject to change.
Top Performers
In an effort to bring some positive news, we’ve highlighted a few players from the United States Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
- Matt Coronato – 7 goals – 9 assists – 16 points
- Mackie Samoskevich – 2 goals – 10 assists – 12 points
- Sean Farrell – 5 goals – 6 assists – 11 points
- Michael Citara – 5 goals – 5 assists – 10 points
- Erik Middendorf – 6 goals – 3 assists – 9 points
- Shawn Element – 9 goals – 19 assists – 28 points
- Cédric Desruisseaux – 19 goals – 8 assists – 27 points
- Elliot Desnoyers – 12 goals – 13 assists – 25 points
- Mathieu Desgagnés – 12 goals – 11 assists – 23 points
- Thomas Casey – 12 goals – 11 assists – 23 points
If there are other leagues you’d like to see highlighted, be sure to let us know. We’re open to any good news that we can find these days! Be sure to check back next week for the latest and greatest junior hockey news. Check us out on Twitter @TJHP and @Nwinansw. We’ll see you next week.
