The NOJHL season starts tonight without a few teams like Powassan.

In a release, the league says the “Voodoos are presently not in a position to compete due to current arena restrictions in the municipality.”

Kirkland Lake and the Soo Eagles are also on the sidelines for now.

The leagues says the Gold Miners continue to work diligently with local health officials and the community in an effort to return to game action as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.

Also, with the continued closure of the Canada/US border, the Soo Eagles will not be able to take to the ice for league games until such a time where travel and health restrictions are lifted.

The NOJHL’s 12th member-club, the Elliot Lake Wildcats, had earlier taken a one-year leave of absence and will not participate in 2020-21.

“The NOJHL fully supports each of the communities and their extensive efforts in dealing with this pandemic,” offered NOJHL commissioner Robert Mazzuca.

“We are in an ever-fluctuating scenario here and things are changing daily,” added the commissioner.

“Constant communication and guidance from everyone involved, including the provincial, regional and municipal health authorities, along with our hockey clubs and member partners and our communities have been and remain diligent as we all look to bring a safe return to on-ice action.”

Mazzuca went on to provide: “These are trying times for everyone and we strongly believe all the current restrictions and protocols that are currently in place are making it safer for everyone, be it at the various league venues and each of the respective communities.”

“I personally would like to thank our teams, players, staff members, officials, fans and everyone associated with the NOJHL for their dedication and vigilance during these trying times. Best of luck to all as we begin another season of NOJHL hockey. Stay Safe!”

For November, eight teams will compete, involving four separate brackets where the clubs will only play against one other side during the time frame.

This includes Espanola – French River; Soo Thunderbirds – Blind River Beavers; Cochrane Crunch – Hearst Lumberjacks as well as the Timmins Rock – Rayside-Balfour Canadians.

PROTOCOLS:

  • The NOJHL regular season protocols are in alignment with Hockey Canada’s Return to Hockey Safety Guidelines and the Ontario Hockey Federation/Northern Ontario Hockey Association’s Return to Hockey Plan, which focuses intently on the safety and well-being of all participants and spectators.
  • Arena capacity limits, social distancing protocols within the facility, and the ticket sales process will be dictated by the regulations within each community and the respective teams.
  • No NOJHL League Passes will be accepted for entry, including all CJHL accreditation, until such time that facility capacity limits are significantly increased.

 

(Photo previously submitted)

Filed under: COVID-19, NOJHL, Powassan Voodoos