Players behind petition for a return to play
OHL in talks with province but still without approved plan to hit ice
KITCHENER — Matthew Sop can relate to the frustration setting in among Ontario Hockey League players as they continue to wait for some sort of season to start.
So, when he found out about a petition lobbying the league and the provincial government for a return-to-play plan, he didn’t hesitate to sign it.
“I fully support it,” said the Kitchener Rangers forward. “We’re all itching to get back on the ice, see each other and get back to that routine that we all love and know so well.”
The OHL has yet to play a single game this season and has not announced any kind of a return-to-play plan. Meanwhile, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League started this past October and the Western Hockey League launched a 24game schedule on Friday.
And that has OHL players on edge.
Owen Sound Attack defenceman Andrew Perrott recently started sharing his concerns with his peers and found that he wasn’t alone.
That sparked him to pen a passionate open letter and online petition earlier this week aimed at the OHL, Premier Doug Ford and Lisa MacLeod, the province’s minister of heritage, sport, tourism and culture
Industries.
“I write to you to express my personal experiences and struggles throughout this year, and I feel confident enough to say that my fellow OHL teammates and colleagues share similar struggles throughout their own year without hockey,” it reads. “With all these leagues playing successfully throughout this time as a bystander watching from afar, waiting for the OHL to start, I can only fill my head with negative thoughts as they rush to my brain. Why is this guy playing and I’m not? Should I even keep skating? Should I just quit?”
More than 2,100 people have signed the petition. Hundreds more have supported the message by liking, commenting or sharing the letter on social media platforms.
Earlier this month, OHL parents also sent a common letter to the provincial government in a bid to get the league back up and running safely, in some capacity.
OHL commissioner David Branch and his team are in talks with the province and have been working on dozens of models for a contracted season but nothing has been finalized.
On Thursday, the league released a message to its players that read: “The OHL shares our players’ desire to drop the puck on a 2020-21 season as soon as possible. That is why we are working very closely with the government on how best (to) facilitate and execute a safe return to play. Those discussions are currently ongoing and we look forward to continuing with the next steps in that process.”
Rangers players have discussed Perrott’s letter and several have signed the petition.
“When I saw that he put that out, it was really great and it was nice to see someone put their foot forward and do something like that,” said Sop, who hails from Kitchener. “It has been a long time. It’s disappointing that we’re not playing games right now and getting to see each other.”
Teammate Joseph Serpa is also on board.
“I could relate to a lot of the things he (Perrott) was talking about,” said the Cambridge native. “It has been really tough. Hockey is the biggest outlet for the guys in the OHL. Everyone says it goes by really quick so losing a year of that is just a really crappy feeling.”
Both players have adapted the best they can and continue to train and skate, when permitted. At this point, any return would mean a severely shortened campaign from the usual 68-game schedule.
“I just want to play some hockey and get in some games,” said Sop. “I miss the competitive spirit and everything about the game. However many games they want us to play and however it will work according to the law, I’m willing to do it.”
Watching the WHL and QMJHL get back on the ice has been especially tough.
“That’s one of the main factors that is causing a lot of frustration for a lot of the guys in the OHL,” said Serpa, a third-year forward. “I’m trying to stay optimistic. I’m still in the gym working hard, working as if the season has a start date, in case it does.”