The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League has announced that the 2020-21 season will not have an ending.
In a press release issued Tuesday afternoon, the league said a decision by the Saskatchewan Health Authority been made on the submissions that have been before them, and the league won`t be allowed to return to play.
The league said the current conditions associated with COVID-19 in the province do not appear to allow a return to play, now or in the next few weeks.
The SJHL created a return to play committee several weeks ago, which included Estevan Bruins head coach and general manager Jason Tatarnic. The committee was tasked with creating a plan to have the season resume.
Their plan included the bubble format that would have been contested in Weyburn. The Bruins were among the teams that were willing to participate, but other teams had passed on the opportunity.
The bubble would have been similar to what has been seen at other levels of the game and in other sports, including the Western Hockey League’s East Division in Regina. Athletes would be isolated to time at their playing venue and in their hotel.
The league’s season began in November of last year, with teams limited to playing games against those in their own division. Only 150 fans were allowed to attend each night.
But the season was put on pause in late November when the provincial government halted league play for team sports. Only those under the age of 18 were allowed to practise, with numerous restrictions.
The Bruins were leading the Viterra Division with a 4-1-1 record when the season came to an end.
The SJHL will now turn its focus on returning to play in September 2021 and having a complete season, ending with the crowning of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League champion.The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s (SJHL) proposal to resume play under a bubble format has been denied by the Saskatchewan Health Authority, effectively ending the league’s season.
