SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Fans of the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) will have to wait a little longer to watch their favourite teams.
The 12-team league’s board of governors recently decided to delay the start of the 2020-21 regular season from Oct. 2 to Oct. 30. The reasons for the later-than-anticipated start include the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as well as questions regarding attendance and a normal return to play.
“The return of fans is critical to the success and continued health of the Maritime Hockey League and its teams,” said president Steve Dykeman. “We’re confident that this extra time will allow for continued productive discussions to lead to the return of our exciting brand of hockey throughout the region.”
The Summerside Western Capitals are P.E.I.’s lone entry in the MHL and general manager Pat McIver said the organization supported the motion.
“From our standpoint, we still don’t know how many fans we are going to be allowed,” said McIver. “As of today, there is still no body contact allowed on Prince Edward Island.
“We are behind New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in those aspects. It is getting increasingly difficult for us to get ready for the first of October.”
“From our standpoint, we still don’t know how many fans we are going to be allowed. As of today, there is still no body contact allowed on Prince Edward Island. We are behind New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in those aspects. It is getting increasingly difficult for us to get ready for the first of October.”
- Pat McIver
Training camp
The Caps’ training camp, which was to begin Sept. 15, has been pushed back to early October. He is unsure at this point how many players will be allowed at camp.
“We have a proposal into the province based on a safe return-to-play (plan), but we have not been given any indication as to what we will be allowed to have at camp yet,” said McIver. “We are patiently waiting to see where we stand.”
The MHL announced plans for a 52-game season in July. With the start date pushed back, the board of governors voted for a 44-game campaign that will run through the end of March.
The MHL has been working with health authorities and other stakeholders on a return-to-play plan.
