The Superior International Junior Hockey League has given up on the 2020-2021 season.
The League pulled the plug on the campaign Monday as the Thunder Bay District and Northwestern region are currently amongst the hardest hit by COVID-19 in the province, perhaps even the country.
Games aren’t allowed to be played in Thunder and the virus activity is trending in the wrong direction.
Commissioner Darrin Nicholas says throughout the entire return to play process, the league has never asked for exemptions from public health guidelines and recommendations.
Some teams, including the Dryden GM Ice Dogs and Red Lake Miners, got in four games before the pause button was hit due to a provincial lockdown.
In a public statement Nicholas reflected on the situation, “The 20-21 SIJHL season will be remembered as a roller-coaster of emotions. From fear we wouldn’t even be able to start, to joy when a pathway back to the ice was available, to optimism that as we progressed conditions might allow for a return to more ‘normal’ hockey, to hope that we might just be able to continue in any fashion and now finally sadness in facing the reality of where we are today.”
Nicholas offered praise to all who strove to get the SIJHL season off the ground.
“I would like to personally commend our entire group of team administrators, staff, players and Hockey Northwestern Ontario for the efforts and commitment to provide a safe and positive experience this season.”
To the 2000 birth-year player who will be graduating from junior hockey, Nicholas offered a special
acknowledgment: “You are without doubt part of a graduating class that has endured the most challenging time in junior hockey history. With the loss of the playoffs last season, and then the minimal return to action this year, I certainly feel your pain. Please know we did within our means to try and get you back on the ice. Always remember: tough times don’t last, tough people do.”
The league now shifts its focus to planning for the 2021-22 season which will mark the 20th Anniversary of the SIJHL.
