BCHL players will finally get to lace up their skates again in early September, though hockey season won害羞草研究所檛 start until December.

The B.C. Hockey League announced today that it plans to start the 2020-21 regular season Dec. 1. A press release from the league said that its communications with the province and health officials suggested that waiting until December 害羞草研究所済ives us the best chance at ensuring we have an uninterrupted season, while also maximizing the amount of regular-season games we害羞草研究所檒l be able to play,害羞草研究所� said Chris Hebb, BCHL commissioner.

Teams are being given the option to start training camp in September, and divisional exhibition games will be able to start once the province moves to Phase 3 of ViaSport B.C.害羞草研究所檚 return-to-play model, the BCHL press release notes.

The Nanaimo Clippers say they plan to open training camp Sept. 8, while the Alberni Valley Bulldogs say they害羞草研究所檙e planning for camp to open Sept. 14. An Island Division exhibition tournament is being planned to start in October and the BCHL news release noted that divisional exhibition games will be live-streamed.

害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 going to be games played in that time, we害羞草研究所檙e just not confident we害羞草研究所檙e going to have a large capacity [for fans],害羞草研究所� said Tali Campbell, Clippers general manager.

He said league governors anticipate that by Dec. 1, they害羞草研究所檒l be able to fill arenas to at least a 50-per cent capacity.

The BCHL hasn害羞草研究所檛 released its regular-season schedule yet.

害羞草研究所淥nce the number of games has been determined along with the special protocols that will be put in place, we will be happy to provide more information,害羞草研究所� noted a statement from Vernon Vipers ownership. 害羞草研究所淲e look forward to seeing our fans and partners again very soon.害羞草研究所�

The Bulldogs say they害羞草研究所檙e working closely with municipal staff to make sure their multiplex will be ready to welcome fans back into the building safely once the season starts.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e anxious for the day when we can re-open our doors for our home opener and welcome our amazing fans back,害羞草研究所� said David Michaud, Bulldogs president, in a press release.

BCHL teams rely on ticket sales, and will have limited or no gate during the first few months of the season while absorbing costs of running a junior hockey program.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e certainly having to re-juggle our books and figure out ways to make things work in the larger scheme of things,害羞草研究所� Campbell said.

But he said 害羞草研究所渆very governor害羞草研究所檚 on board害羞草研究所� with the extended training camp model meant to engage players, help them achieve their hockey and education goals, and prepare them for a 2020-21 season.

害羞草研究所淸Players] want to come back 害羞草研究所� they want to aim to win a championship here,害羞草研究所� Campbell said. 害羞草研究所淭hey want to get back into that culture of things and get going on practising and being part of a team.害羞草研究所�

READ ALSO:

editor@nanaimobulletin.com
Like us on and follow us on