Southern Ontario's Junior B hockey league is hoping to have its players back on the ice before the end of the year.
The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) announced on Friday that its members have chosen December 2, 2020 as the opening night for the 2020-2021 regular season. The decision will need approval from the provincial government to proceed, but the GOJHL intends to work with the province to ensure a safe return to the game for players, staff, officials, volunteers, and fans attending games.
"We look forward to our return to hockey and in the interim, we wish everyone continued good health and safety," said GOJHL Commissioner Mark Tuck in a news release.
The remainder of the 2019/2020 GOJHL season was cancelled by Hockey Canada on March 13, 2020, due to the on-going health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2020/2021 regular season will consist of 40 games and the regular 24 team playoff format. The season is scheduled to run until March 28, 2021 with the 87th Sutherland Cup held no later than June 7, 2021.
GOJHL teams will also have the option to hold extended on-ice training from September to November, under guidelines set out by Hockey Canada.