The BC Hockey League has announced they are delaying the start of the 2020-21 regular season until Dec. 1, pending approval from the Provincial Health Office.
“We’ve been having discussions with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture since March around a safe return to play,” said BCHL Commissioner Chris Hebb. “The PHO has indicated to us that waiting until December gives us the best chance at ensuring we have an uninterrupted season, while also maximizing the amount of regular-season games we’ll be able to play.”
The league has indicated they will release a full schedule with a December start date at a later date and this pushback to Dec. 1 aligns with the NHL’s plan to start their 2020-21 season.
“The reality is that, for us to be able to operate, we need to have fans in our buildings,” said Chairman of the BCHL Board of Directors Graham Fraser. “It became clear from our discussions with the PHO that the best way to accomplish this would be to delay the start of our season to give them time to assess the effects of a potential second wave of COVID-19 during flu season.”
Teams will have the option to hold an extended training camps from September to November, which will include regular on-ice training. The league will resume more normal operations once the province moves into Phase 3 of viaSport BC’s Return to Play model, exhibition competition with other BCHL teams will be expanded in-region.
Teams may also continue to run summer invite camps up until September 8, and under current mass gathering restrictions, only 50 people are allowed on the ice and in the stands.
“The BCHL’s Return to Play Task Force feels that the extended training camp model will give our players an opportunity to stay engaged and continue to develop their game in a safe environment,” said BCHL Executive Director Steven Cocker. “Our teams will be providing on-ice and off-ice training resources to continue aiding players to achieve their hockey and education goals and to make sure they are ready to go when the season starts.”
Once exhibition competition resumes, it will be streamed live on HockeyTV and live-scored on the BCHL website. Inter-division competition will be held within regions throughout the BCHL.read more
BCHL announces delay to season start – Sports – Castanet.net
