OPTIMISM HIGH
The Maritime Junior Hockey League is scheduled to get underway October 30th.
That’s as official as it can be under the constant threat of the COVID–19 Pandemic, now, and down the road.
Since the MHL shutdown in mid – March, return to play has been the focus of the League. It’s been all about looking forward, in uncharted water.
The Return To Play Plan for the 2020 – 2021 season was submitted and favourably received by the provincial governments and the health Authority in each.
The safety of players, team staff and fans has been placed at the highest priority, and the submitted Plan outlined steps the MHL had to take to insure that happens.
The document addressed all the key concerns, many most don’t think about: testing, insurance, facility, training camp, dressing rooms, medical rooms, off-ice training areas, meals, travel, practice / warm-ups / games, benches, coaching and support staff, and any other safety measures that may arise.
It was an exhausting effort, unlike any this League has gone through since it was formed way back in 1967.
The MHL leadership did its work.
Now, it’s a matter of waiting to see what transpires over the coming weeks. The end of September may be telling.
On the home front, the Truro Bearcats are putting things in place in anticipation of the late October start.
Needs identified at the closing of a season have to be addressed. The June Draft was a good one, for all positions.
The acquisition of players via the trade route further enhanced that process.
Key to the upcoming season will be the crop of returning players. They have some unfinished business, lingering throughout the longest off – season in League history.
In this time of uncertainty, the Bearcats are moving forward with optimism, handling the things they can control.