TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 6: OHL Commissioner David Branch and CMHA Ontario CEO Camille Quenneville announce their partnership in a program called Talk Today that will help combat mental health problems throughout the OHL. The program aims to educate players, coaching staff and support staff and help them identify and deal with mental health issues. (Tara Walton/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

OHL cancels 2020-21 season

5 years ago
Tara Walton / Toronto Star / Getty

The OHL will not return to play until at least 2021-22, the league announced Tuesday.

The league cited the recent extension of Ontario's stay-at-home order and the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the province as reasons for the decision.

Earlier in April, the OHL and the provincial government agreed on a plan for the league to resume play. However, the proliferation of coronavirus variants led to a spike in local cases. Ontario Premier Doug Ford enacted a stay-at-home order shortly thereafter. Last week, he extended it through at least May 20.

The plan for the OHL's return never came to fruition as a result. It was to be an abbreviated season played in hub cities.

The OHL is the only Canadian major junior league that hadn't started playing in 2020-21. The WHL said Monday it would not conduct its playoffs following a 24-game regular season.

The CHL canceled the 2021 Memorial Cup last Tuesday.

XRedditFacebookWhatsAppEmailSMS
MORE STORIES