Revolution Place. Photo Credit: EverythingGP

By Shane Clausing

Sports COVID-19

Sports leagues and events in Grande Prairie canceled and postponed following COVID-19 outbreak

Mar 13, 2020 | 2:43 PM

Grande Prairie Minor Hockey:

Grande Prairie Minor Hockey has canceled its season after Hockey Canada decided to cancel all Hockey Canada sanctioned activities and events.

President D.J. Golden says that the League wasn’t left with much of a choice.

“(Thursday) morning, we were made aware that Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada were meeting and then we were told about 6:30 p.m. last night that Hockey Canada had made the decision to cancel all sanctioned events for the remainder of the season. In them doing that, they’re actually our governing body and they insure all of our members, so because of that we made the decision to cancel the rest of the year,” said Golden.

Golden says that parents and players are disappointed following the announcement.

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“We’ve had a few phone calls and it’s kind of early yet, so I think everyone’s in that shock mode that it’s over. Luckily, I guess we’d say that 70 percent of our seasons were pretty much winding up. It’s a sad way to end the year.”

The league will meet Friday regarding what to do with year-end team banquets and for anyone planning on playing three on three hockey this Spring.

At the moment. no decision has been made.

North Peace Hockey League:

The North Peace Hockey League is currently in the middle of their championship series.

The Dawson Creek Canucks were scheduled to play the Grande Prairie Athletics in Game 6 at the Coca-Cola Centre on Saturday night, however after the Eastlink Centre announced Thursday night that it would shut down because of the province banning gatherings of 250 or more people, the league was forced to postpone their series.

Jack McAvoy the President of the NPHL, says both the Athletics and Canucks are hoping that the league can play out the final.

“They want to play the series, so if it has to go into April, we’ll still try to get it in, as long as Hockey Alberta allows it. Grande Prairie will have ice and if Dawson Creek doesn’t, they’ll play both games in Grande Prairie. That’s the situation right now,” said McAvoy.

The Canucks currently hold a 3-2 series lead over the Athletics.

Northwest Junior Hockey League:

The Northwest Junior Hockey League has canceled the remainder of their season.

The NWJHL final was scheduled to take place tonight in Peace River between the North Peace Navigators and the Fort St. John Huskies.

The league would not comment on the season cancelation to EverythingGP, but released a statement saying the following.

“To all the players, team staff, officials, volunteers, fans, family and friends. Due to the COVID-19, outbreak the NWJHL must follow the Hockey Canada/Hockey Alberta Memorandum and cancel the remainder of the season. The safety of everyone involved in the game is number one. We thank you all for a great season and hope you have a safe off-season.”

Arctic Winter Games:

Hundreds of athletes from the Peace Region and Northern Alberta were supposed to travel to the Arctic Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon this weekend, but those travel plans were canceled because of concerns about the coronavirus.

The games would have featured 2000 athletes from seven different countries. The final decision came from the Yukon government.

Chef de Mission for Team Alberta North Michelle Deering released the following statement:

“We support the decision of the Yukon government and the Arctic Winter Games 2020 host society to cancel the Games and protect the athletes from the risk of COVOD-19.”

“We understand this is disappointing for our athletes and coaches, however public health and safety must be a priority. The team uniforms for 2020 Arctic Games have been distributed to the athletes to keep in recognition of their hard work, dedication, and achievements.”

Wolves Athletics:

Wolves Athletics have canceled the following sporting events:

· Smashball, March 16 – April 8

· High School Basketball All-Star Game, March 26

· Men’s Basketball ID Camp, March 27-28

· Women’s Basketball ID Camp, March 28

· Mini World Cup of Soccer, April 3 – April 5

Football Alberta Senior Bowl:

Football Alberta has canceled the Senior Bowl which was scheduled to take place in early April.

Selection camps were supposed to kick off in early April, but due to restrictions on public gatherings of 250 or more and other COVID-19 concerns, the event was canceled.

The cancelation also includes all sanctioned coaching clinics for the foreseeable future.

Other events have been canceled:

· The 4th annual Teepee Creek PBR Classic set for March 21.

· Thunder in the Park II Skijoring set for March 14 has been canceled.