The recent order that was extended this week by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) means that, as of now, BCHL players age 19 or older are not permitted to engage in any team activities, while players 18 or younger may participate in team activities under Phase 2 of viaSPORT BC’s return to play.
As a result, the league has decided to delay the start of their 2020-21 regular season to the new year.
“For the past nine months, the Board of Governors, the League Office and the Return-to-Play Task Force have done everything possible to do right by our players and the public,” said Chairman of the Board, Graham Fraser. “Under our PHO-approved COVID-19 Safety Plan, we successfully trained and played exhibition games from September to November, completing 90 games without a transmission, but the current restrictions will not allow us to start our regular season in December.”
“We remain committed to exploring every option available to us to start our season safely and as soon as possible, including presenting the concept of a BCHL hub. We look forward to getting things going again in January with all of our players back on the ice.”
According to Vipers Executive Vice President Todd Miller the news is disappointing but understandable. Despite the bad news Miller says the fan base and corporate partners have been fantastic.
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