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The Ontario Hockey League announced late Wednesday morning a plan on returning to play for the 2020-21 season.
The league is looking at a delayed start to the season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The league hopes to open regular season action on Dec. 1 with each of its 20 member teams playing a 64-game schedule that would run into April.
Following the conclusion of regular season action on April 29, 2021, the playoffs would open with 16 teams moving on.
The annual Memorial Cup, which is normally held in late-May, is scheduled to start on June 17, 2021.
With the OHL hosting the tournament, the host city hasn’t been determined. Details on presentations by the two interested organizations, the Oshawa Generals and Soo Greyhounds, haven’t been determined.
In a prepared statement, OHL commissioner David Branch noted that, while a date has been set to begin play, a number of factors are still in play to make that a reality.
“We are looking forward to getting back to playing hockey, but are committed to ensuring that we do so in a manner that is safe and healthy for our players, officials, families, billets, teams, staff, fans and the community,” said OHL Commissioner David Branch. “Players will remain at home until the season resumes and teams will work closely with them on both their academic studies and overseeing their on and off-ice development. In addition, the league will liaise with our facilities to ensure that our venues are safe for our return to play.”
The 2019-20 OHL season was cut short due to the pandemic with regular season play being paused in mid-March before the ultimate cancellation of the playoffs and Memorial Cup.
Further details on this story, with comments from the league as well as the Greyhounds locally, will be added.
