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By Shaun Penner

League Play Concluded

Hockey Alberta cancels remainder of AAA, AA, Tiered league seasons

Feb 2, 2021 | 4:39 PM

Hockey Alberta says it has pulled the plug on its AAA, AA and Tiered league games for the rest of this season, amid ongoing public health restrictions due to COVID-19.

Minor hockey in Alberta has been on pause since November, and following Friday’s announcement from the province that team and group sports would not be included in Step 1 of the province’s relaunch plan starting on February 8, the province’s governing body on minor hockey decided Tuesday afternoon to cancel the rest of the season.

“Hockey Alberta is disappointed by the government’s announcement,” reads a statement from Hockey Alberta. “Our senior leadership team has been involved in ongoing discussions on what a safe and inclusive relaunch plan could look like for our sport.

“Hockey Alberta will continue working with government and health officials to develop a relaunch plan that allows for hockey activities and keeps our youth active for their physical and mental well-being.”

Leagues that are affected by this announcement include the Alberta Elite Hockey League, Alberta Female Hockey League, Northern Alberta Hockey League, and All Peace Hockey League, among many others across the province.

While league play is called off for this season, Hockey Alberta says it “continues to focus on working with our members to explore all options that could comprise a spring development season” when Step 2 in the government reopening plan is reached.

The earliest possible date at which Step 2 could occur is March 1 and would only be considered by the province if hospitalizations sit at 450 or lower, and are declining, at that time in Alberta.

Hockey Alberta says Junior B, C, and Female and Senior leagues have set February 8 as their target for determining if continuing to plan league play is possible.

In a Facebook post in response to Tuesday announcement, the Grande Prairie Minor Hockey Association says they are looking into how they can get players back on the ice, in some capacity.