Photo: Shane Clausing

By Shane Clausing

Storm season on hold

Storm season on pause following new provincial restrictions

Nov 26, 2020 | 1:49 PM

The AJHL season has come to a pause after new COVID-19 guidelines were implemented by the Province of Alberta on November 24.

While there is disappointment amongst all organizations throughout the AJHL, Grande Prairie Storm Vice President Chris Millsap says that this was the right decision.

“It’s the responsible thing to do. Our hand was certainly forced by the province’s guidelines, but at the same time, the provinces guidelines were set in relation to what’s happening out there,” said Millsap. “I think the AJHL did an excellent job of getting the season up and running and doing everything they could to keep players and fans safe, but this is certainly a much bigger issue than hockey.”

“Hopefully everybody follows the regulations, and the regulations work and we’ll be back sooner rather than later.”

On December 19, the league’s board of governors will reconvene and discuss a new timeline for when it could potentially return. Millsap says that their number one priority right now is safety for everyone involved in the organization, including fans.

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“Our expectation is that we’ll send our players home or at least give them the option to go home. The expectation is that after the restrictions are either lifted or changed, we will then re-evaluate with our players what the plan of action is.”

“In our minds, it’s about getting back on the ice as soon as safely possible. We’ve got a lot of people to think about,” added Millsap. “We have players to think about, billet families, sponsors and fans. There’s a lot of moving parts and we’ve got to make sure everybody’s interests are met here, so safely getting back to play is the key for us.”

Storm Head Coach and General Manager Mike Vandekamp tells EverythingGP that breaking the news to the players was tough.

“On March 13, 2020 I went into a dressing room with a really good group of players and we had just won a playoff series. We were heading to the second round and I had to tell them that their season was bluntly ended right at that time and nobody could’ve ever predicted that something like that would’ve happened.”

“Certainly, at that time I would’ve never thought that I’d be having a similar meeting with another great group of players here this morning. This is all very unpredictable and none of us really have the answers to what the future looks like.”

While Vandekamp understands the decisions put in place by the province, he says he feels for the players because of all the work they have put in.

“We’ve been at this now for three months. I think when you get something started and you’re starting to build a group and the group is coming together, and all of a sudden, the rug gets pulled out from under you. It’s a tough one to take for sure.”

He adds that he feels his players did what was needed to ensure they could keep playing.

“Our young men have done everything that’s been asked of them with regards to wearing masks and social distancing and all the different rules that are out there. They’ve put in every effort that they could to not negatively impact the current situation in our province.

“It is what it is. I know that sounds like a cliché statement, but we’re in a tough spot and I guess we’re all just hopeful that we get a chance to come back.”

If restrictions are lifted in December, the earliest the Storm will be able to play is at home on January 2 against Whitecourt.