The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League has confirmed they intend to be back playing for the 2021-22 season.
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In a statement from Logan Fraser, director of marketing and communications for the league, the SJHL is making plans for 鈥渁 full return to play for the 2021-22 season.鈥�
The SJHL will continue efforts to work with the province to ensure appropriate protocols are in place, and expressed optimism that fans will be able to return to arenas. But according to the news release, the league acknowledged mandatory masking and social distancing may need to be in effect.
On a related note, the Battlefords North Stars have announced a number of player signings in the past week, in anticipation of playing the 2021-22 season.
Signings include forward Holden Doell of the Saskatoon Blazers, forward Kobie Anderson from the AAA Stars, defenceman Jordan Grill, forward Matthew Henry, forward Keiton Klein, goaltender Lenny Perno, and several from the Saskatoon area: Riley Girod, Easton Rask, Ethan Scriven, Hunter Weber and Aiden Arnold.
The North Stars and the SJHL only managed to get a few exhibition and regular season games in at the start of the 2020-21 season before the season was suspended in late November due to public health orders. The season was finally cancelled on March 23, marking the second year in a row that the SJHL was not able to award the Canalta Cup to the league鈥檚 champion.
The statement from the SJHL is reprinted here in full:
鈥淭he Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), and its member clubs, are making plans for a full return to play for the 2021-2022 season.
鈥淭he SJHL will continue our efforts to work with the Saskatchewan Government to ensure that appropriate safety protocols needed, will be in place for the start of the 2021-2022 hockey season.
鈥淭he SJHL is optimistic that fans will be able to join us in our arenas. However, protocols like mandatory masking and social distancing may still need to be in effect. Remaining vigilant and following public health safety measures, will help us get you back in our arenas.
鈥淲e would like to thank our partners, volunteers, and the entire hockey community for their support during these unprecedented times.
鈥淢ost importantly, the SJHL is still here and ready to get back on the ice for our 2021-22 season.鈥�
