DAUPHIN, MB - Due to the unfolding situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic the Hockey Canada and the CJHL announced Thursday (Mar. 12) that the league's playoffs have been put on hold.
TICKET REFUND DETAILS WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOMETIME FRIDAY MORNING.
Below is the official statement from the CJHL and Hockey Canada.
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CJHL RELEASE
CALGARY, Alta. – The Canadian Junior Hockey League announced Thursday that effective Friday, March 13, all games and hockey-related activity involving its member clubs have been cancelled, until further notice, due to the continued threat of the global COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic as well as potential exposure and contamination of its players, team staff members, on and off-ice officials, volunteers and fans.
This would include each of its 10 member league’s playoffs, the four regional championship events (Fred Page Cup; Dudley-Hewitt Cup; ANAVET Cup; Doyle Cup) as well as the Centennial Cup Canadian National Junior A Championship slated for Portage la Prairie, Man., this May.
Further updates on the playoffs, the five events and any other relevant information regarding this evolving situation will be announced when they become available.
With the safety and well-being of all parties concerned being paramount the CJHL provided insight on the decision that has been made.
“In lieu of the world-wide events and on-going implications of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and following in-depth deliberations with our Executive Board and each of the commissioners/presidents, along with consultations with medical experts, as well as Hockey Canada, the decision has been made to put a hold on the season for the time being,” stated CJHL president Brent Ladds.
“We will continue to stay abreast of the situation as it evolves and we will provide further updates as they become available,” added Ladds.
“We thank everyone for their understanding and cooperation in this delicate matter and join all of our members and partner organizations is wishing everyone to the stay safe while using the utmost care and precaution in the coming days and weeks.”
The CJHL will also release any further relevant information when required.
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HOCKEY CANADA RELEASE
CALGARY, Alta. – The following is a statement on behalf of Hockey Canada from Tom Renney, chief executive officer, and Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer, on the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Without question, this is an unprecedented period of difficulty for the sports world. The health and safety of all participants in sport, including players, coaches, staff, officials, fans, family, volunteers and the general public, is of the utmost importance to Hockey Canada.
After much consultation with the Hockey Canada membership, our chief medical officer and public health officials, the Hockey Canada Board of Directors has made the decision to cancel all Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities, including our national championships, until further notice, effective Friday, March 13, 2020.
We recognize the tremendous effort that has been put forth all year by individuals across the country as they participate in Canada’s game. Although it is difficult to process the hockey season ending abruptly, we feel this is the best course of action in order to do our part in keeping our country safe.”
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As shared by Hockey Canada regarding COVID-19:
Public health risk is continually assessed as new information becomes available.
Updates on COVID‐19 can be found at: https://www.canada.ca/en/public‐health/services/diseases/2019‐novel‐coronavirusinfection
The following are recommendations that should be considered at all times during hockey programming:
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol‐based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Make soap and/or hand sanitizer available in dressing rooms and hotels.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing. Practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, wash hands).
- Avoid contact with sick people, including avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.
- Gloves should be worn by staff handling towels or laundry in the team environment.
- Towels should not be shared on the team bench. Players should not share clothing, bar soap or other personal items such as razors.
- The Hockey Canada Safety Program recommends the following protocol as it relates to the use of water bottles:
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- Good team hygiene includes ensuring all players and staff have their own water bottles to prevent the transmission of viruses and bacteria.
- Bottles should be labelled and washed after each practice or game.
- It is further recommended that officials avoid the practice of drinking from the goaltender’s water bottle. If officials require water during a game, we suggest they have their own water bottle at the penalty bench.
- There should not be sharing of water bottles in the penalty box, as well as no sharing of towels.
- Avoid raw or undercooked animal products if having team meals, or if eating while travelling to events/tournaments.
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- Advise players to try and not touch their own mouths or nose when in the hockeyenvironment to reduce the chance of them passing an infection on to themselves.
- Monitor illness and injury in all teams. Parents are urged to keep their children away from the hockey environment if they are showing any signs of infectious disease or virus.
- Team members should be encouraged to self‐report if they feel ill.
- Fist bump with hockey gloves on, instead of shaking hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Monitor travel restrictions on the Government of Canada Travel Advisory website, which can be found at https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories.
- It is also important to check with applicable insurers specific to any cancelation policies or travel health insurance policies you may purchase to ensure there is coverage as it relates to COVID‐19.
Good hygienic practices will help to maintain a healthy team atmosphere and ultimately assist in keeping all participants healthy throughout the season.