The WHL Cancels The Memorial Cup Again And Other News

We will update the scores this week, but a few changes have happened for now. Though the QMJHL promises a playoff, right now, they have several teams on quarantine and not all the games have been able to be completed. Where they go is anyone’s guess. The OHL can still not get in a season of any kind due to rising numbers of COVID 19. Then there is the WHL with two teams having issues and contact problems. Here are the latest press releases from the WHL and then a press release from the CHL, which becomes really anti-climatic when everyone sees the big picture.

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today the Kelowna Rockets have been cleared to resume team activities beginning Wednesday, April 14, after all individuals within the team cohort tested negative for COVID-19 this week.

The Rockets are scheduled to practice Wednesday for the first time since entering a league-mandated, 14-day isolation period following the discovery of a positive test for COVID-19 on Tuesday, March 30. Though seven additional positive tests for COVID-19 were discovered within the Rockets team cohort, this occurred while the individuals were in isolation and does not impact upon the initial start of the 14-day isolation period.

The Rockets are scheduled to return to game play on Saturday, April 17 at 7 p.m. PT when they face the Prince George Cougars at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops, B.C.

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today the updated schedule of games for the Central Division for April 15 through April 19.

The Medicine Hat Tigers have been cleared to return to play following further testing for COVID-19, which yielded no positive results. Team activities for the Tigers were suspended last week after the Club was deemed to be a close contact of the Calgary Hitmen, who received one positive test for COVID-19 within the team cohort. Team activities for the Calgary Hitmen remain suspended at this time.

Central Division – Updated Schedule: April 15-19

DateTimeMatchupLocation
Thursday, April 157 p.m.Edmonton at LethbridgeLethbridge
Friday, April 167 p.m.Red Deer at Medicine HatMedicine Hat
Saturday, April 177 p.m.Lethbridge at EdmontonEdmonton
Saturday, April 177 p.m.Medicine Hat at Red DeerRed Deer
Sunday, April 187 p.m.Edmonton at LethbridgeLethbridge
Monday, April 197 p.m.Red Deer at Medicine HatMedicine Hat

*all times listed are local

As a result, the following games in the Central Division are postponed:

DateMatchup
Friday, April 16Edmonton at Calgary
Friday, April 16Red Deer at Lethbridge
Saturday, April 17Calgary at Edmonton
Saturday, April 17Lethbridge at Red Deer
Sunday, April 18Edmonton at Calgary
Monday, April 19Red Deer at Lethbridge

Further updates to the Regular Season schedule of games in the Central Division will be provided at a later date.

TORONTO – The Canadian Hockey League, in association with our three member leagues, the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, has made the very difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Memorial Cup.

“The CHL is committed to the health and safety of our players, their families and billets, our teams, staff and officials, and the communities in which we play. That has driven all of our difficult decisions for the last year as we have dealt with this global pandemic,” said CHL President Dan MacKenzie. “The decision was made based on the limitations on travel, border restrictions, and quarantining requirements that would make it impossible to produce league champions.”

The Memorial Cup is steeped in tradition and is one of the most difficult trophies to win in all of sport. The CHL looks forward to presenting it next season to the championship club that has earned the right to hoist it.

Further decisions regarding the timing and location of the 2022 Memorial Cup will be announced at a later date.

Avatar photo
About Stuart Kemp 369 Articles
Stuart Kemp is the Immediate Past President of 15 years of the Booster Club. and has been following hockey from his native Canada since he can remember, though he can't skate, but played road hockey for several years. Loving hockey and professional wrestling, he has traveled to most of the WHL cities and with wrestling, has seen four provinces and five states. It is true that every Canadian city with more than 500 residents has a hockey rink, well at least it looks that way. Stuart has had his hand in every facet of independent Professional wrestling as he debuted as an announcer in 1986 which started his career.