SIJHL reacts to lock down
The commissioner of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League did not mince words in addressing the Ontario government’s latest lock down and state of emergency edict.
SIJHL commissioner Darrin Nicholas has issued a terse statement on behalf of the northwestern Ontario based league.
“I applaud our operating member clubs that were able to assemble their teams and remained persistent in our efforts to offer our players a meaningful experience this season despite the monumental challenges. We have proven that we can execute our operations safely and with the discipline required in our billet homes, our communities and on the ice,” Nicholas began.
“However, our Board of Governors has deemed it impossible to continue to plan for a resumption of play under the current provincial restrictions. We are locked down through February 11 and we feel at this point to initiate planning for a February 12 continuation is not productive given our experience with similar restrictive measures that have been extended prior to their expiration,” Nicholas added.
The first-year commander in chief further noted that “the SIJHL is remaining committed to identifying any pathways that may still exist to completing the season, however will only begin evaluating any options when restrictions are loosened enough to support the return to practice and game competition.
“Our Board of Governors has defined the conditions under which we shall proceed. Firstly, we must be able to continue to execute with paramount focus on the health and well-being of our players, staff, billet homes and communities. Beyond that, we need to be able to play a meaningful regular season and playoff schedule and determine a champion within our usual mid to late April time frame.
“Therefore at this time, we have chosen to take a wait and see approach, and will re-evaluate the situation further when the environment permits,” Nicholas concluded.