Imagine Canada Day weekend with ‘Canada’s team’ still playing hockey.
If fighting the good fight to plank the curve takes a few more months instead of weeks, Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan does not think summer hockey would be such an unusual solution if it means somehow getting this season in the books.
While it’s all conjecture now, as getting through COVID-19 and the quarantines take precedence, the concept might not be so daunting, even in warm weather cities in the American south where ice conditions can be a challenge even in June.
“I’ll quote Bill Daly (NHL deputy commissioner) that even in southern cities ice is not a concern,” said Shanahan, the Leafs’ president. “The quality of the ice, the technology and the resources are all better. It’s not like it was 20 years ago.”
For Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, it’s true that the almost nightly complaints of a few years ago from players and coaches, the home team included, have been mostly muted. Not only is the ice better maintained when the sheet is created, but resurfacing machines have new toys such as a laser guided levelling system to automate the blade control to keep ice consistent at a lower thickness.
Other issues at SBA and around the league, such as building availability with concerts and shared venues with basketball teams would have to be dealt with as they arise. But Shanahan hopes Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment gets the chance to make it work if COVID-19 is overcome.
“I’m an optimistic person,” he said. “Whatever time we start inching back to normal, the return of hockey will be an incredible boost to collective emotional, mental and physical health.
“But our focus is on flattening the curve and (helping) health care workers, first responders. That’s our job now. Usually we’re preparing for our next game. Now it’s making sure we’re not overwhelming those workers taking care of people in need as best we can.”
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2020
