Hockey Canada has mandated that all sanctioned minor hockey events including national championships have been cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
"After much consultation with Hockey Canada membership, our chief medical officer and public health officials, the Hockey Canada Board of Directors has made the decision to cancel all Hockey Canada sanctioned activities, including our national championships, until further notice, effective March 13, 2020," a Hockey Canada release stated Wednesday night.
The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League that, effective immediately, all NOJHL playoff games and hockey-related activity have been cancelled, until further notice, due to the result of the ongoing COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic.
This also applies to all 10 leagues that comprise the Canadian Junior Hockey League.
“The NOJHL is thoroughly committed to the health and safety of our players, on and off-ice officials, as well as our staff, volunteers, loyal fans and the general public, so with the best interest of everyone involved, the difficult decision has been made to put a hold on the playoffs, until further notice,” stated commissioner Robert Mazzuca.
“We will continue to closely monitor the latest health information, including data and recommended measures provided by public health agencies regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and will act accordingly as we move forward in dealing with this world-wide pandemic,” added Mazzuca.
According to the league, any further information as this situation progresses will be released by the NOJHL, once applicable.
The NOJHL's Powassan Voodoos were preparing to face the Cochrane Crunch on Friday evening for the start of the NOJHL East semi-final. The Voodoos finished first overall in the NOJHL standings.
The news comes only hours after the Canadian Hockey League made a similar announcement late Thursday afternoon which led to tonight's cancellation of the Mississauga Steelheads versus North Bay Battalion contest scheduled for Memorial Gardens.
Earlier in the day, the NHL stated it is "pausing" its season in response to the pandemic.
