On Tuesday, January 4, the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) announced that due to the Ontario Provincial Government’s direction of implementing a time-limited modified Phase 2 Reopening, the OJHL is mandated to temporarily pause all games starting January 5, 2022 until January 26, 2022.
“The OJHL is committed to completing a full OJHL regular season and playoff schedule for the 2021-2022 season and we have put together various operational scenarios to allow us to do so,” said Marty Savoy, Commissioner of the OJHL. “With the current mandated pause, the OJHL has multiple scenarios developed, which will allow us to get our full season and playoffs in this season.”
“The league will continue to monitor the direction from the Provincial Government and will announce any adjustments to the OJHL schedule if or when they may be required. Although the Provincial Government has not yet declared Junior A hockey within Ontario as Elite level of sport, the OJHL is lobbying our various governing bodies in an effort to have this level of the sport included within this classification”
“The OJHL would like to thank all of our teams, players, parents, staff, volunteers and supporters for their continued commitment in providing a comprehensive OJHL COVID-19 Safety Plan for our players.”
Jason Tryfon, owner of the Milton Menace Hockey Club, responded to the announcement on Twitter.
“As a result of today’s announcement by @fordnation I will be outside of Milton Memorial arena every scheduled game day on behalf of every player on the @MenaceOJHL, the@OJHLOfficial and every youth sports player who just got shut down again,” said Tryfon. “It’s my own silent tribute to all kids who have taken the brunt during this pandemic. It’s the least I can do. To stand in the cold for 3 hours on every scheduled game night for these players.”
