With much of the province now into Stage 3 of the COVID-19 reopening plan, many sports fans are wondering what local hockey might look like this year.
The GOJHL is still not totally certain when their season could possibly start, or what protocols may be in place if it does. Commissioner Mark Tuck says in an emailed statement to CKNX "as areas open up for Stage 3 it is a positive sign, but we still have 13 arenas that do not have ice until after September 1st, and some teams will be on the ice in August. All our teams will be following the guidelines of Hockey Canada and their respective Public Health Units."
In terms of the PJHL, even less is clear. Commissioner Terry Whiteside could not be reached for comment for this story, but 2 anonymous sources say training camps could open in September with the season kicking off in October. Also, the league is rumoured to be changing the Schmaltz Cup Final to a Memorial Cup style tournament involving 3-4 teams, saving a few weeks that would normally be eaten up by long series, so a full season could be played.
The GOJHL has also made some changes of their own, with a new league logo, and some new overtime rules for the regular season. Teams will now play 7 minutes of 3-on-3 followed by a shootout, eliminating ties from the league.
The new GOJHL league logo. (Provided by GOJHL Commissioner Mark Tuck)