THE 2020-2021 OHL SEASON HAS BEEN CANCELLED
The OHL announced today that the 2020-2021 season has been officially cancelled.
“With the loss of a complete season, two playoff rounds and two cancelled Memorial Cups, the pandemic has been devastating to all of the teams. We feel for the players and their families who have worked so hard for so many years to get to this level and then not be able to play. We are optimistic that we will be able to start the 2021-2022 season in the fall and get back to having our fans in the building watching their favourite players. We want to thank all of our season ticket holders, fans and sponsors who have continued to provide their support. We get so many positive messages and calls letting us know that once we return to play, they will be there to support the team. We can’t tell you how much that means to all of us after what has been an incredibly difficult time for everyone”, said Howie Campbell, President of the Barrie Colts.
“We have worked tirelessly with the Province and the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the past year on different scenarios and different windows of opportunity but the reality is the conditions in Ontario have never been right to start and complete an uninterrupted, safe opportunity for players to showcase their skills,” said OHL Commissioner David Branch. “We owe it to our players and their families to be definitive. We were committed to return and play this season, but our hopes and desires have been dashed by the cruel realities of COVID-19.”
QUICK FACTS
- The OHL’s 17 Ontario-based teams support 327 full-time jobs across its member team and League offices, along with 831 part-time jobs. Additionally, 176 students work for teams on internships or co-op terms, along with 1,100 volunteers.
- In 15 of 17 Ontario communities, the OHL team is the most popular and significant sports and entertainment property. The economic and community development of the OHL cannot be overstated. The League has a direct financial impact of over $126 million and an indirect impact of over $265 million on the Ontario economy. OHL member teams raised upwards of $4 million in support of charities across the province during the 2019-20 season.
- A total of 343 OHL graduates have accessed their OHL Scholarship during the current academic year at a cost to OHL member teams of $3.15 million.
- The OHL remains the number one provider of talent to the National Hockey League. In the 51-year history of the modern NHL Draft, the OHL has produced a remarkable 2,410 selections, representing approximately 20% of all players chosen. Since 2013, the OHL has produced more first and second round picks, more forwards and more defencemen than any other league in the world while producing the second-highest number of goaltenders.
