Province clears path for resumption of Jr. B hockey schedule

The Better Ontario Junior Hockey League will quickly be again in enterprise.

The 25-team Jr. B circuit, which incorporates the Okay-W Siskins, Elmira Sugar Kings, Ayr Centennials and Cambridge RedHawks within the Midwestern Convention, can resume its regular-season schedule Jan. 31 when the province begins easing COVID-19 public well being restrictions.

Video games will likely be open to the general public at 50 per cent capability or 500 spectators, whichever is much less.

“We’re excited to be again, and I believe it was a optimistic announcement right now, particularly with followers at 500,” GOJHL commissioner Brent Garbutt mentioned Thursday afternoon.

“I do know it’s not full (capability) like a few of our groups had been hoping, however I used to be nervous it might be zero for a minimum of just a few weeks. We had been ready to play it doesn't matter what, but it surely’s good for groups that followers will be capable to attend.”

GOJHL groups have been idle since Dec. 23 when the St. Thomas Stars confronted the Leamington Flyers in a Western Convention recreation. The final video games involving Midwestern Convention groups befell Dec. 19.

The league hopes to have an up to date schedule posted to its web site by Tuesday, mentioned Garbutt, who's awaiting phrase from the Ontario Hockey Affiliation and Ontario Hockey Federation about extending the season into June.

The unique plan was to wrap up the common season March 13, begin playoffs March 16 and have the Sutherland Cup provincial championship awarded by mid to late Could. These dates will likely be pushed again by a minimum of three weeks due to the provincial restrictions.

The league nonetheless intends to play a 50-game regular-season schedule, or near it, and the Sutherland Cup provincial championship will likely be performed in early June, if approval is granted. Area availability may additionally play a job in how the schedule unfolds, mentioned Garbutt.

Groups will likely be consulted earlier than the up to date schedule is launched, mentioned Garbutt, including it's doable that video games could possibly be performed on Jan. 31. Groups may additionally select to have a day or two of observe earlier than resuming their seasons.

“They’ve been off for thus lengthy, so I don’t think about many will likely be comfy to play that day, however the choice will likely be there,” mentioned Garbutt.

Siskins prepared the ground

Groups handed the halfway level of their seasons in December, with the Siskins main the Midwestern standings by three factors over the Sugar Kings and 4 up on the Stratford Warriors.

The RedHawks and Centennials sit fourth and fifth, respectively, within the eight-team convention, with Cambridge seven factors behind Okay-W and Ayr 15 factors behind the front-runners.

Unable to assemble since Jan. 5 due to provincial restrictions, groups have stayed in contact with Zoom conferences and group chats, with coaches and officers reaching out to gamers individually to encourage them to remain in form and discover a yard rink or pond for skating.

Sugar Kings head coach Rob Collins is happy to get again to work, though he’s not solely certain what to anticipate when the season resumes.

“I anticipate most of them to be in fine condition, however I don’t learn about game-shape,” he mentioned. “Everybody’s form of in the identical boat although, so the factor I believe you’ll discover greater than what sort of form they’re in, is their means to execute at a excessive stage proper off the bat, to have their focus the place it must be presently of yr versus the place it's after a month off.

“So I believe it’ll be extra sloppy than something however, you already know, I’ve been incorrect earlier than.”

Centennials normal supervisor Jeff Grimwood has been concerned in one-on-one conversations with a number of of his gamers and has been encouraging them to stay energetic. He expects they are going to be thrilled to get again on the ice as a staff.

“To be shut proper down the best way it was, throughout the board, it’s been powerful, however everybody realizes there’s nothing we may do about it,” he mentioned.

“I’ve talked to some children individually to attempt to maintain their spirits up, though you already know they’re dejected. A few of the youthful guys are going by means of this for the primary time, and for among the older guys, that is their final hurrah.”

Thursday’s provincial announcement additionally clears the trail for universities and faculties to renew their schedules.