Rumour mill is in power-play mode
Ontario Hockey League return-to-play plan is anything but official
Not so fast.
Social media has been abuzz over the past couple of days amid reports the Ontario Hockey League is returning with a 24-game season, beginning in April.
Before fans could get excited, OHL commissioner David Branch threw some cold water on the hot rumours by releasing a statement.
“First and foremost, the Ontario Hockey League is anxious to return to play and eager to get our players back on the ice to drop the puck on a 2020-21 regular season,” the statement read. “As we have for many months, we continue to work hard toward ensuring a safe return to play for everyone.
“We are encouraged by our ongoing discussions with government and public health agencies, but have not yet arrived at an approved returnto-play framework for the coming season,” he said.
“The league will share more information with our players, families, staff, billets and tremendous fans as a finalized plan for a safe return to the ice becomes available.”
So there is no OHL hockey, just yet.
The plan being circulated has the league starting April 2 and running in four hub cities, with players being quarantined before heading to training camp next month.
Kitchener’s Memorial Auditorium would be a natural as one of the hubs since it has three rinks and could hold a trio of games at once.
It’s also a central location within an hour’s drive of OHL clubs in Guelph, Hamilton, London and Mississauga. Heck, even Oshawa, Owen Sound, Sarnia — not to mention St. Catharines, where the Niagara Icedogs play — aren’t too far away.
For what it’s worth, the OHL has not asked the City of Kitchener for use of The Aud.
“We would love to be considered and love to work with ... the OHL if the opportunity presents itself, obviously (in co-ordination) with public health and the province,” said Kim Kugler, the city’s director of sport.
But here’s the thing with return-to-play plans — they’re ubiquitous.
As one would expect, the OHL has been working on various scenarios since the season was shut down last March. As the world around us evolves, so do the league’s proposals.
Different incarnations have been sent to teams as memos for months.
The latest idea hasn’t been approved by the government or public health. Right now, it’s just a plan.
What is clear is the chances of the OHL returning in some form increase as cases of COVID-19 go down and restrictions get lifted across Ontario.
Whether that means we eventually see the league play a shortened schedule in a bubble, or cancel the season altogether, remains to be seen.
But, until a plan is approved, rumours will swirl.