OHL Commissioner says conversation with Public Health is ongoing, goal to return to play ‘this year’
Posted Feb 27, 2021 09:17:00 PM.
As meaningful hockey continues across the National and Western Hockey Leagues as well as the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, fans, families and players in our province have been growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of action in the Ontario Hockey League, with some going so far as to write to the provincial government for further action.
On Thursday, Owen Sound Attack Defenceman Andrew Perrot penned an open letter to the OHL, Doug Ford and the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries Lisa MacLeod highlighting the “desperate need” for an OHL Season.
Speaking as a guest on OHL Stories with Mike Farwell and Chris Pope, OHL Commissioner David Branch said the league has been “very fortunate” in the support they’ve received from their teams, fans and the premier – as he said Doug Ford has been “very supportive” in their efforts to begin league play once again. As the one-year anniversary of halting play in the OHL approaches, Branch said he recognizes that the clock is ticking, though he adds that “nothing is set in stone yet” as conversations continue around how best to facilitate and execute a safe return to play.
While it may be disappointing for fans to be left with a lack of clarity on when the 2020-21 season could resume, Branch said the OHL will be ready to play as soon as they find out what that season could look like. Pointing to the return to play in the NHL and the AHL, Branch said the focus of public health now appears to be on the OHL.
To our players
