OJHL’s Approved 5-on-5 Hockey Plan May Pave The Way For Other Leagues

The Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) will return-to-play, with a government approved plan, will likely pave the way, and become the starting point for any Junior hockey league looking to get back on the ice in Ontario.

The league announced 5-on-5 modified playing rules, which were approved by the Ontario Hockey Federation.

These rules include no body contact, elimination of post whistle scrums, players wearing “bubble” face masks and face coverings, mandatory masks in dressing rooms, bench disinfection between periods, a limit to the number of players dressed based on Public Health requirements and facility structure, and adherence to all laws and Public Health guidance.

“Our league staff and our teams have been incredibly focused, supportive, disciplined and patient throughout this approval process with our member partners – one marked by ever-changing and difficult conditions during a pandemic,” Commissioner Marty Savoy stated in a league news release. “We have worked co-operatively and tirelessly with our partners at the Ontario Hockey Federation and the Ontario Hockey Association and look forward to our players resuming game play under these approved regulations.”

The league plans to resume play in early January, however exhibition and training is already underway.

This return-to-play model will likely be the baseline for all other Junior leagues in Ontario, including locally with the PJHL and GOJHL.