SIJHL officially cancels 2020-21 season cbc.ca - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from cbc.ca Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Superior International Junior Hockey League has given up on the 2020-2021 season.
The League pulled the plug on the campaign Monday as the Thunder Bay District and Northwestern region are currently amongst the hardest hit by COVID-19 in the province, perhaps even the country.
Games aren’t allowed to be played in Thunder and the virus activity is trending in the wrong direction.
Commissioner Darrin Nicholas says throughout the entire return to play process, the league has never asked for exemptions from public health guidelines and recommendations.
Some teams, including the Dryden GM Ice Dogs and Red Lake Miners, got in four games before the pause button was hit due to a provincial lockdown.
SIJHL cancels remainder of 2020-21 season
Indefinite return to lock-down status forced the league s hand, with time running out to stage a meaningful season.
Mar 1, 2021 3:23 PM By: Leith Dunick
THUNDER BAY – The remainder of the Superior International Junior Hockey League season has been cancelled.
The board of governors made the difficult decision, stating the return to Grey-Lockdown and the uncertainty of when the District of Thunder Bay will return to Orange or Yellow and the ability to play games as the driving factor behind the move.
League commissioner Darrin Nicholas said the league has never sought exemptions from public health guidelines, but the stark reality is the District of Thunder Bay and the Northwestern Health Unit’s catchment area, which includes Ear Falls, Dryden, Fort Frances and Kenora, are trending in the wrong direction when it comes to active COVID-19 cases.
The Fort Frances Lakers are looking for a new home.
Town Council has decided to close the Ice for Kids Arena for the season due to limited use because of the ongoing COVID-19 shutdown.
The much smaller ’52 Canadians Arena will remain open but will be shared among all user groups.
The Lakers are the first Superior International Junior Hockey League team forced to look at venue options if the league restarts.
The SIJHL is taking a wait and see approach as they have paused operations indefinitely.
Officials have indicated they won’t be ready to resume play until late February at the earliest.