The BC Hockey League (BCHL) is a go!
The Prince George Spruce Kings will be back in action as early as the first week of April as the league's COVID-19 return-to-play plan has been approved by the provincial government, giving the official green light today (March 12).
Five 'pods' will be created of either three or four teams over a five-week campaign, a BCHL statement reads from its Board of Governors.
A full schedule, pod locations and other details are set to be released 'in the coming weeks.'
“After months and months of hard work behind the scenes by the league’s Return-to-Play Task Force, we are pleased to make the announcement today that the BCHL will be back on the ice to play the 2020-21 season,” says BCHL Commissioner Chris Hebb.
“This entire process has always been about our players and giving them the best chance to get back to playing games and showcasing their skills, and we have accomplished that today.”
BREAKING: #BCHL has made it official that a COVID-safe, shortened 2020-21 season will take place. According to sources, @SpruceKings going to a hub city of either 4 or 5 teams. More details on return-to-play plan not yet released | #CityOfPG @PGMatters https://t.co/FZLEr3zYYw
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) March 12, 2021
The announcement comes nearly three weeks after 'multiple' Spruce Kings members tested positive for COVID-19, to which everyone involved, including close contacts, completed a 14-day isolation in coordination with Northern Health.
Additonally, the BCHL has hired a Chief Medical Officer to ensure health and safety protocols are met who will oversee all COVID-19 safety protocols, which is set to include COVID-19 testing and a quarantine period for players and team staff.
“At the end of the day, our league is all about getting players scholarships and moving them on to the next level to allow them to pursue their athletic and educational goals,” said BCHL Executive Director Steven Cocker.
“With no games since November, it has been difficult for these players to get noticed by college programs and, as a result, we’ve seen a significant effect on the number of college commitments in the league this year. With a shortened season now in place, we are thrilled to get our players back in the spotlight and give them the attention they deserve.”
The Wenatchee Wild, the league's 18th and lone American franchise, cancelled its participation in a 2020-21 campaign on Nov. 24 due to the continued Canada-U.S. border closure to non-essential travel.
The last time Prince George played a competitive contest was Nov. 15, 2020, in Trail in extended exhibition play before COVID-19 public health orders restricted travel and games for all sports in B.C.
They finished with a 4-2-0-1 record against their cohort during that campaign.
Technically speaking, the Spruce Kings are still the reigning Fred Page Cup champions after COVID-19 cancelled the rest of the 2020 playoffs during the first round.
BCHL says more information is going to be provided on the weekend.
