OHF AND MEMBER PARTNER STATEMENT ON SPRING TRYOUTS IN RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

As you may have seen, the Ontario Hockey Federation and its seven member partners, the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario (ALLIANCE), Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA), Ontario Hockey Association (OHA), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) and Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA), issued a statement March 12 in support of the Hockey Canada Statement quoted below referencing the 2019-20 season.

HOCKEY CANADA STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

CALGARY, Alta. – The following is a statement on behalf of Hockey Canada from Tom Renney, chief executive officer, and Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer, on the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Without question, this is an unprecedented period of difficulty for the sports world. The health and safety of all participants in sport, including players, coaches, staff, officials, fans, family, volunteers and the general public, is of the utmost importance to Hockey Canada.

After much consultation with the 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 Friday, March 13, 2020.

We recognize the tremendous effort that has been put forth all year by individuals across the country as they participate in Canada’s game. Although it is difficult to process the hockey season ending abruptly, we feel this is the best course of action in order to do our part in keeping our country safe.”

The health and safety of all participants in the sport is of the utmost importance to the OHF and its member partners. As such, tryouts for the 2020-21 season will not be conducted this Spring. Instead the OHF will provide guidance on when the introduction of the 2020-21 season will begin, subject to the Hockey Canada Board of Directors’ future decision when to reinstate all Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities. Such introduction will take into consideration ice availability, capacity and other logistics involved in organizing hockey programs.

The OHF and its member partners will be in direct contact with all members to establish when sanctioned activities can resume.

Further information will follow as it becomes available.

- 30 –

For further information please contact:

Ali Wilson

Manager, Communications

Ontario Hockey Federation

awilson@ohf.on.ca

226.533.9074