STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
The Grande Prairie Storm celebrate a goal against the Whitecourt Wolverines during a preseason game on Oct. 16, 2020 (Photo: Shane Clausing / EverythingGP staff)
By Shaun Penner
Junior 'A' Hockey

AJHL given green light to resume 2020-21 season in March

Feb 19, 2021 | 11:12 AM

The Alberta Junior Hockey League announced Friday it has received approval from the Government of Alberta to restart the 2020-21 Season under protocols laid out in a “comprehensive” Return to Play Plan.

The league says the season, which was paused in November due to public health restrictions, will resume sometime in March. Games will be played exclusively on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through to the end of May.

The league says in a release that players, coaches and staff are currently self-isolating ahead of training camps that are scheduled to begin at the start of March.

“We are grateful for the guidance provided by Alberta Health Services and our Chief Medical Officer in developing the protocols required to safely resume the season for our athletes,” said AJHL Commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk.

“Thank you to the Government of Alberta for the opportunity to allow our athletes to develop and excel here in Alberta, and to all 15 AJHL teams for the significant dedication to your players and communities across the province.”

The league has committed to having players receive a PCR COVID-19 test weekly throughout the rest of the season, plus twice prior to starting training camp.

Before a player can join the team at training camp, two negative COVID-19 tests will be required and the individuals are deemed asymptomatic as per the SureHire Risk Assessment Program.

If a member of the team, either a player, coach or staff, tests positive for COVID-19 at any point during the season, the team will have to isolate and suspend all in-person team activities for 14 days.

“Enhanced daily screening for all AJHL players and team staff will be monitored through the SureHire Risk Assessment App. Teams will be diligent in following the Government of Alberta’s COVID-19 Public Health Guidelines in order to best protect themselves and our AJHL communities,” adds the league, in a release.

The league was able to play over 80 games in the fall before the pause. To that point, the Grande Prairie Storm played four regular-season games, amassing a record of 2-1-1.

Fan are not currently permitted to attend games due to provincial restrictions. All games will be broadcast on HockeyTV.

The league says an updated schedule, as well as a list of participating teams, will be announced shortly.

by Shaun Penner