The Battlefords North Stars have been a model franchise in the SJHL over the last number of years. Coming off a first place finish last season, and a championship two of the three years prior, the team will hope to pick up where they left off when the 2019-20 season was cut short. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

The Good Ol' Hockey Game

SJHL season hopeful for go-ahead this fall

Jun 1, 2020 | 3:40 PM

It has been nearly two-and-a-half months since the hockey season was drawn to an abrupt halt, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since that time, hockey fans in the Battlefords, like so many around the province, have been eagerly awaiting their team’s return to action.

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) announced recently, they remain optimistic for a return to the ice this fall. That being said, when the hockey season does return, things are likely to look considerably different.

The SJHL is still planning for a fall start, with a full regular season that could extend into March of 2021; although any concrete plans have yet to be established. The league is currently working with the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) and Hockey Canada, in accordance with governing health authorities, to determine safety protocols and precautionary measures required to allow a return to play.

With that in mind, at this current time the league’s plans do include permitting fans in attendance this fall. However, there will likely be a 50 per cent capacity rate allowed at games to help provide the adequate spacing required to properly adhere to socially distancing standards.

North Stars’ marketing manager, Jennifer Whyte, said the team remains hopeful the league will still be able to go ahead with the season despite the challenges that may come with the implementation of the new restrictions.

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She said the financial side of remaining operational is one of the key challenges, but it’s not the only concern.

“As a community-owned club, obviously with revenue being down, that is a huge impact moving forward for the season,” she said. “Then, with 50 per cent capacity, we [also] still have to put a lot of safety measures in place to make sure everybody that’s coming to the game is comfortable.”

Whyte said until instructed otherwise, the North Stars will continue working hard to plan for the coming season while the league awaits the health authorities to give the official green light. She said now more than ever, the team will be counting on the community’s support during these unprecedented times.

“The fan support is huge. Without fans we really cannot operate,” she said. “During these times we are seeing reduced revenue but we are hopeful that our community will continue to support our club. Our North Stars contribute significantly to the economy of our community both directly and indirectly and we hope that this season will allow us to keep contributing. We’ll have to do things a little differently this year, but we’ll [continue to work to provide] a great fan experience.”

North Stars’ season passes are currently on sale, and available for purchase over the phone and online.

In addition to the official SJHL season, plans for the Stars’ annual summer hockey school have also been affected by Hockey Canada’s shutdown of all sanctioned activities this summer.

Rather than an August start as usual, the hockey school will instead likely take place sometime in September in a different format.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1