Will More Teams Opt Out Of The GOJHL Season?

There will be teams who decide not to ice a roster for the 2020-2021 season…or perhaps it will just be the 2021 season.

With so much uncertainty facing the Province of Ontario, and local sports leagues and organizations, a few teams have dropped out of the GOJHL for the season, and there is concern more teams will continue to leave leagues.

“It’s always a possibility. With everything being so uncertain, you just don’t know what’s going to transpire” Jason Brooks, head coach of the GOJHL’s Listowel Cyclones told The Ranch, 101.1 FM.

Earlier this offseason the Welland Jr. Canadians and Buffalo Regals both dropped out of the GOJHL.

The Chatham Maroons this week announced that they would be holding off practices indefinitely due to the unpredictable COVID-19 environment.

Although they still hope to play, the uncertainty in the air could be cut with a knife.

“Due to the unpredictable and changing COVID environment, we will be holding off with practices for right now,” said owner Karen Szekesy in a statement.

In a league heavily dependent on attendance for funding, the GOJHL, along with PJHL will be waiting for instructions from the government before firming up schedules.

With a second wave slated to peak shortly before training camps and play is set to resume for many leagues…nothing is certain.