QMJHL players live with big dreams. But this week those players and their supporters have learned what a small world it can be in times of a serious situation beyond the game.
On Wednesday night an NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz was postponed following a positive test of Utah player Rudy Gobert for the Coronavirus (COVID-19). If the NBA seemed far away from the QMHL — a different country, a different sport, a professional league versus a junior league — time would prove differently.
NBA teams share buildings with NHL teams, NHL teams share players with AHL teams, and the NHL and AHL share the hockey landscape with the QMJHL. After the NBA suspended its campaign on Wednesday night, the dominoes fell throughout the hockey world on Thursday afternoon. At 5 p.m. Atlantic time, the Canadian Hockey League's three leagues — the QMJHL, OHL and WHL — suspended operations in response to COVID-19. No one knows when, or if, the season will continue.
A health scare like the Coronavirus put sports in perspective and make people reflect on their relatively small importance in the grand scheme of life. Sports are used as a diversion, an escape from every day pressures and stresses. In this most unusual situation where those very stresses have caused the games to cease, the discussion turns to what could be if play resumes, or what might have been if the season never does.
Fans have speculated about having eight instead of 16 playoff clubs, or best-of-five series instead of best-of-seven playoff rounds. Bruce Hamilton, president of the Memorial Cup host Kelowna Rockets, says his organization is still planning for hosting the tournament in late May but has discussed with the city building availability in June. The Memorial Cup has never been cancelled in its 101-year history, and the QMJHL has handed out its President's Cup in each of its first 50 years of operation.
While fans are understanding of the necessity of suspending play, there could be negative financial implications — be it from missed games, or lapsed interest from a lengthy delay if the action does eventually resume. It's something the Sherbrooke Phoenix are likely thinking about.
Sherbrooke is far and away the top team in the Western Conference and the league's highest point-getter. It's a city that had twice lost its QMJHL franchise, but in 2012-13 owner Jocelyn Thibault hoped the third time could be the charm. The Phoenix failed to win a playoff series in its first five campaigns and was eliminated in round two each of the last two springs. With this year's star-studded side on the ice, attendance is the highest its been since that inaugural season.
And 2020-21 is certainly not without hope for the Phoenix, as NHL first-rounder Samuel Poulin and import stud goaltender Samuel Hlavaj should be back in the QMJHL. However, with three of their four leading scorers being overagers, and the team being only able to hold on to three of its nine 19-year-old players, a 2021 title push may prove much more difficult than 2020.
In the Eastern Conference, this year's field is much more crowded with four strong squads that improved over the holidays. First-place Moncton could return a skeleton of a roster next season, but their rivals wouldn't be crying as the Wildcats tastedtitle glory in 2006 and 2010, and are still sparkling in the glow of their new Avenir Centre (opened in 2018).
Similarly, Rimouski would garner little sympathy from the rest of the league on a missed title chance, having won three President's Cups (and a Memorial Cup) since 2000, although No. 1 NHL draft pick-to be Alexis Lafrenière would not get the opportunity to win as Sidney Crosby did in 2005. There would certainly be disappointment over a missed playoffs locally, with the Eagles having their best regular season in a decade and a threat to beat anyone. However, just like Rimouski, Cape Breton would likely have to win their last three rounds starting on the road.
Perhaps the greatest disappointment over a potential cancellation would be in Chicoutimi, as the Saguenéens have the longest drought of the five teams — since 1994 — and paid the biggest price for their deadline acquisitions. In adding five key pieces the Sags essentially subtracted six first-round choices and four second-rounders from their lineup.
It all seems secondary now, as fans can only speculate on what could be, what may never be... but most importantly hope for health for all as the QMJHL does its best to fight through.
Patrick McNeil is the play-by-play announcer with the Cape Breton Eagles. Email him at [email protected], or Twitter: cbepbp.
