While the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is set to begin playoffs tomorrow, there will be no playoffs for the Kamloops Blazers in the Western Hockey League.
Its as the WHL today announced that its 2020-21 season will end after the 24-game regular season because of current public health restrictions on travel and the ongoing challenges brought on by COVID-19.
All of the regular season games are taking place within the respective divisions.
“When we returned to play in February, we set out with the intention of completing a 24-game Regular Season schedule, knowing adjustments would be needed along the way,” he said.
“We remained hopeful that public health conditions would improve, but unfortunately that is not the reality we see in front of us today. The ongoing challenges with non-essential interprovincial and international cross-border travel leave us no alternative but to cancel the 2021 WHL Playoffs.”
The 7-2 Kamloops Blazers and 7-3 Vancouver Giants both have 14 points in the BC Division, though the Blazers have played nine games to Vancouver’s ten.
Moving forward, Robison says the league will continue to work with government and health authorities regarding the 2021-22 WHL season in the fall.
“We commend our players, team staff, and officials for their commitment to following the protocols that have made this unprecedented season a success,” Robison added.
“The WHL looks forward to recognizing individual award winners and all four WHL Division champions at the conclusion of the 2020-21 WHL Regular Season, [which will be held digitally.]”
While WHL and the QMJHL teams have been playing games this season, the Ontario Hockey League has yet to announce plans for a season of any kind. Ontario’s Minister of Sport, Lisa MacLeod, says it would be irresponsible to approve a return to play given the surge of cases in the province.
As it stands, the WHL season is scheduled to end on May 12, pending any further schedule changes due to COVID-19 clusters among teams.
What we do know for certain is that the Memorial Cup has been cancelled for a second straight season. The 2020 edition of the tournament was to be held in Kelowna, while the 2021 edition was set to be hosted in Ontario either in Oshawa or Sault Ste. Marie.
A decision on the timing and location of the 2022 Memorial Cup will be announced at a later date.
