UPDATE @ 2:45 pm: The much anticipated Ontario Junior Hockey League playoff series between the Wellington Dukes and Trenton Golden Hawks won’t be happening.
Neither will any of the major Jr. A tournaments across the country, after the Canadian Junior Hockey League said in a statement today it has “officially cancelled the remainder of the 2019-20 season, due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic”.
Yesterday the CJHL and its member leagues had announced a suspension of the season, but after consultation with Hockey Canada, it was determined that cancelling the season is unavoidable.
That means all hockey-related activities including playoffs, regional championships (like the Dudley hewitt cup) and the Centennial Cup National Junior A Championship will not be held.
The Golden Hawks and Dukes will be working with season ticket holders to determine the next steps for them.
Here is the full statement from the CJHL:
The Canadian Junior Hockey League, in conjunction with its 10 member leagues and Hockey Canada, have officially cancelled the remainder of the 2019-20 season, due to the ongoing global COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
As a result, all hockey-related activities, including respective League Playoffs, the CJHL’s four regional championship events (Fred Page Cup; Dudley-Hewitt Cup; ANAVET Cup; Doyle Cup) and the Centennial Cup Canadian National Junior A Championship will not be held.
In further consultation with Hockey Canada, it was determined that the cancellation of the CJHL playoffs is an unavoidable outcome.
“We continue to align our direction, consistent with that of Hockey Canada, and support their overall direction completely. “ said CJHL President Brent Ladds.
“We extend our extreme gratitude, understanding and commend the due diligence put forth by the CJHL’s Executive Board, each of our 10 league commissioners/presidents, their staffs and respective clubs and Hockey Canada in their commitment to safeguard all those involved in our wonderful game,” finalized Ladds.
The Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Junior A playoffs are on hold pending developments in the coronavirus situation.
This will most certainly be a big disappointment for local hockey fans as the much anticipated series between the Wellington Dukes and Trenton Golden Hawks won’t begin until further notice.
That best of seven was to have started tonight (Friday) in Wellington.
