COVID UPDATES - SEPTEMBER 2020
Western Hockey League (WHL)
The WHL has implemented a start date of Dec 4. Like the OHL, they too struggle with the issue of having teams in the United States. Unlike the OHL however, with 4 teams in Washington and 1 in Oregon, the ability to play between the 5 may be in the cards.
Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Still committed to December 1st start date. The leagues biggest hurtle are its US based franchises, with international traveling being heavily restricted. There are 3 teams total in the United States, with 2 in Michigan (Flint, Saginaw) and 1 in Pennsylvania (Erie).
The league has yet to release specific details regarding plans for screenings and other player safety protocols.
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
The league plans to begin play on October first, within training camps beginning August 26th. The leagues covid plan includes teams in 3 new divisions, with teams only playing within their respective divisions. Total games has also been adjusted, dropping from 68 to 60 during the regular season.
The QMJHL preseason begins September first, click here for the full league preseason schedule.
United States Hockey League (USHL, Tier I)
Target date of November 6th, per league officials. Plan would include a 54 regular season ending April 24th 2021.
Picture Source - Madison Capitals USHL
North American Hockey League (NAHL , Tier II) NA3HL (Tier III)
Start date of October 9th announced by the league on August 18th. Both Kansas City and Corpus Cristi informed the league of their plans to forego the 2020-2021. For The Scouts, the 2020-2021 season would be the organizations first in Kansas City, after moving the franchise from Topeka at the end of last season.
USPHL National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC, Tier II) USPHL Premier (Tier III)
The NCDC has regular season games beginning September 24th, per league website. The USPHL Premier will begin September 18th, when the Florida Junior Blades battle the Tampa Bay Juniors
Eastern Hockey League (EHL, Tier III)
On August 3rd, the EHL announced their tentative start date of September 18th, with further info to follow.
British Columbia Hockey League
December 4th tentative date as of August 2020. Like many junior leagues, the BCHL is fan dependent, and hope sanctioned events with fans are allowed by the December 4th deadline.
Ontario Junior Hockey League
Preliminary plans show late September start day, however not confirmed.
Alberta Junior Hockey League
Training camps allowed to begin 8/31, but development season looks like likely outcome as the league has not been given permission on a regular season. All league playoffs have yet to be announced.
Central Canada Hockey League
The 59th season of the CCHL is planned to begin October 1st.
Many Division I & III Universities have postponed all sports until January, with the hope to have a better understanding of the virus and what is truly safe for the athletes.
The NCAA released in late August rules changes allowing student athletes to still be enrolled while playing junior hockey.
News by League
Ivy League Members of ECAC (Division 1) - No season in 2020-2021
NEHC, CCC, NE10, SUNYAC, UCHC - Postponed, will be reassessed in January 2021
Sources
USHL , USA Hockey , The Telegram , BCHL , OJHL , Pembroke Observer , CCHL