UPDATED: KIJHL CANCELS remainder of 2019/20 season
By The Nelson Daily Sports
In a media release Friday, the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) announced the cancellation of the remainder of the 2019/20 postseason, as well as the 2020 Cyclone Taylor Cup in 100 Mile House.
The release said remaining teams still participating in the KIJHL playoffs — Nelson Leafs, Beaver Valley Nitehawks, Kelowna Chiefs, 100 Mile House Wranglers, Princeton Posse, Revelstoke Grizzlies, Kimberley Dynamiters and Columbia Valley Rockies — will cease all on-ice operations and end their seasons.
The KIJHL was to play host to the Cyclone Taylor Cup, emblematic as the BC Junior B Hockey Championship, April 16-19, 2020, in 100 Mile House. Three champions from the KIJHL, Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League, and Pacific Junior Hockey League were to join host 100 Mile House in a four-team tournament to decide the BC Junior B Champion.
“This development comes after the KIJHL was advised by Hockey Canada and BC Hockey this (Friday) morning that the 2019/20 hockey season will not resume at a later date,” the media release said.
“As with the previous announcement on Thursday that the KIJHL playoffs would be suspended indefinitely, this decision was made with the health and safety of our players, coaches, volunteers, billets and fans as the sole consideration.”
“We share your disappointment at this news and thank all those who contributed to an exciting and entertaining 2019/20 hockey season,” the release added.
The cancellation could not have come at a worse time for many of the league’s 20-year-old players, who unknowingly, played the final game of their Junior Hockey career Tuesday in Fruitvale.
“While difficult to accept, particularly with the team doing so well in the playoffs, the Nelson Leafs Hockey Society fully supports the decision to cancel the remainder of the season,” the Nelson Leafs Hockey Society said in a prepared statement.
“This is an unprecedented announcement that was not taken lightly,” the statement added. “The health and safety of our players, coaches, support staff, volunteers and fans is paramount.”
The statement went on to say the Leafs want to thank the fans, all volunteers and the community as a whole for their support during the 2019-2020 season.
“We hope to see that support grow as we start to build for the 2020-2021 season.”
The KIJHL said the league provide further updates through our website and social media channels as developments occur, and we wish good health to everyone in the KIJHL family.
KIJHL releases statement regarding suspension of 2019/20 playoffs
Earlier Thursday, the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) announced that its 2019/20 playoffs would be suspended indefinitely due to ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19, more commonly known as the coronavirus.
This decision was made by the KIJHL’s league executive and was determined to be in the best interest of the health and well-being of our players, coaches, volunteers and fans.
Subsequently, Hockey Canada and BC Hockey, in consultation with federal and provincial health authorities, have announced that all on-ice activities by their member leagues and teams will be cancelled, effective immediately and until further notice.
The KIJHL supports this decision.
The playoffs are the most exciting time of year for KIJHL players and fans, and we share their disappointment that the quest for the Teck Cup championship has been interrupted.
We hope that the season will be able to continue at a later date, but this will only take place if and when we can be assured of providing a safe environment for all those who enjoy our game.
We will provide further updates through our website and social media channels as developments occur, and we wish good health to everyone in the KIJHL family.
