SYDNEY, N.S. — The Canadian Hockey League announced the cancellation of its season on Monday.
The announcement came as concerns continue to grow over COVID-19 across the country.
The cancellation by the CHL impacts all three leagues including the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Western Hockey League.
"We have continued to monitor the latest updates and advice from all public health agencies and medical experts, and worked tirelessly to determine a scenario by which the balance of our season could be played," reads the press release. "Unfortunately, given the troubling state of our global climate and public welfare, there is still too much risk and uncertainty to move forward in good conscience."
Last week, all three leagues announced the cancellation of the remainder of their regular season. The cancellation of the playoffs was not confirmed at the time.
Locally, the Cape Breton Eagles finished the regular season in third place in the Eastern Conference and fifth overall in the QMJHL with a 40-20-2-1 record.
The season cancellation marks the end of the major junior careers for Cape Breton players Derek Gentile, Tyler Hinam and Shawn Boudrias.
Boudrias is an unsigned prospect of the Minnesota Wild, while Hinam has committed to attend Acadia University. Gentile’s plans were unknown as press time.
Because of the cancellation, the Memorial Cup scheduled for Kelowna, B.C. has also been cancelled. The tournament was scheduled for May. 22-31.
Not only will the Kelowna not host the tournament this year, the CHL also confirmed the 2021 tournament will be held in Ontario as previously planned, meaning the WHL will skip its turn of hosting the prestigous tournament. Oshawa and Sault Ste. Marie both submitted bids to host the 2021 tournament - the host city has not been announced yet.
The WHL will next host the Memorial Cup in 2023, following the QMJHL is set to be the host league for the event in 2022.
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