The QMJHL will no longer be the only one of the three Canadian junior leagues not to be in action. The 18 owners of the circuit unanimously approved, on Friday, a proposal for a return to play on February 3.
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From February 3 to 6, the matches will be played behind closed doors due to the health restrictions still in force in Quebec then, from February 7, the teams will be able to accommodate a maximum of 500 spectators in their enclosure, as provided for in the relaxation aimed at performance halls.
Recall that at the beginning of January, an internal memo had been sent to the teams informing them that there would be no return to competition as long as the provincial government did not allow the amphitheatres to accommodate at least 50% of their maximum capacity.
However, the situation has evolved over the past few weeks and several players were beginning to think about returning home. Some players let the QMJHL float the possibility of going into exile in the United States to join non-sanctioned leagues there in order to be able to play and not fall behind hockey players elsewhere in the world who, for the majority, have never really stopped.
Sacrifices
Archival photo
The QMJHL remains determined to complete its schedule of 68 games.
It must also be said that the Courteau circuit is determined to complete its schedule of 68 games this season in order to meet its requirements towards its sponsors, but also towards season ticket holders.
“We’ve been arrested for two months. We have junior hockey players who have been in training for three weeks and who want to play hockey. We want to allow them to continue to develop. For most of them, this is an important season for their future. They are all in school and have results like they have never had. It is a recognition on the part of the owners even if it is a huge sacrifice on the part of the 18 teams,” explained the president of the Quebec Remparts, Jacques Tanguay.
The QMJHL will now have to rearrange its schedule, which will be unveiled on Monday. The circuit will have to consider in particular the question of the teams of Nova Scotia – the Mooseheads of Halifax and the Eagles of Cape Breton – as well as the Islanders of Prince Edward Island.
The top two will not be able to play a home game until February 14, as the rules in this province provide. They will therefore play their first matches on the road, before returning to their home on Valentine’s Day. As for the Islanders, they should also start on the road while waiting for the sequel, but still do not know when they will be able to return to their home.
Memorial cut delayed?
If all goes as planned, the QMJHL will wrap up its regular schedule on May 1. The playoffs will begin four days later, on the 5th, and end no later than June 15.
The Memorial Cup tournament will therefore have to be postponed for at least two weeks, which is currently scheduled for June 3 to 12 in Saint John, New Brunswick.