PORT MOODY (September 4th, 2020) – The Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL) recently held a special meeting to continue to plan a return to the ice for the 2020-21 season. All 13 PJHL member clubs are actively working with their facilities and common user groups to ensure a safe return to sport for all participants.
“With viaSport’s announcement to move into Phase 3 Return to Play guidelines, it was appropriate to discuss in-depth and understand what this move would look like for our league,” says PJHL commissioner Trevor Alto. “After such a difficult number of months since last season was cancelled, I feel this was a very positive meeting for the league. All 13 member teams have done an excellent job and worked extremely hard to get us in a position where we are able to make decisions that will allow us to return to competition.”
Previously, the league has identified plans to begin the 2020/21 season on Tuesday, September 29th.
“Throughout this process, our plans must have key themes that include safety, communication, and flexibility. In order for us to return to the ice, we need to work diligently with our facilities so that all 13 venues are prepared for Phase 3 competition,” says Alto. “Once we confirm all our facilities are available, we will then be able to provide a firm schedule. Our planning has allowed us to be flexible yet prepared.”
When the PJHL returns to the ice in 2020/21, the league will take on a much different look then in years past.
Following viaSport’s Phase 3 guidelines, PJHL teams will begin play assembling in cohort divisions consisting of a maximum of four teams rather than competing in a traditional two conference format.
The league has also instituted a roster deadline of September 15th. As of this date, all teams must be down to a maximum of 25 carded players. Furthermore from this date forward, the league will require all players wishing to join a PJHL roster to quarantine for 14 days prior to participating in Phase 3 competition.
“By identifying a roster date of September 15th, this allows our teams enough time to practice, quarantine as a team and understand the new league and facility protocols that will be in place in preparation to join their identified cohort at season start,” says Alto. “This will also allow flexibility with our start date, should we need to make adjustments.”
Additional news regarding the 2020/21 PJHL season will be announced in the coming weeks.
