The La Ronge Ice Wolves are hard at work, practicing and getting set for the 2020-21 SJHL season.
When the campaign starts is anyone’s guess right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The league was hoping to begin regular season action Oct. 9, but that seems more like a dream than a reality at this point, with that date rapidly approaching.
Since the pandemic began in March, the SJHL has not sent out a single press release about a return-to-play strategy, which has angered fans online. SJHL President Bill Chow has done a few media interviews though.
“We fall under the regulations and the guidelines set out by the Saskatchewan Health Authority, with Hockey Canada, opening up hockey again,” said Chow in an interview with MBC back in June.
“They’ve opened it up, but obviously, we fall under the regulations of the Sask. Health Authority, so once the Sask. Health Authority deems that it’s safe and in a timely fashion that we can restart hockey, then that’s when we’ll restart.”
Whenever the season starts, the Ice Wolves will be ready. The team says it has trimmed down the roster to 26 players who continue to be put through the paces during practices at the Mel Hegland Uniplex.
“We’re pretty much down to our squad,” said Ice Wolves Head Coach and GM Kevin Kaminski. “I thought camp went very well with the two rinks, the two bubbles that we had. I think practices have been outstanding actually, with the work ethic and the high-tempo, good execution so far, so it’s been good.”
Kaminski says his group has been getting familiar with each other this week.
“That’s what this week has been, it has been a lot of teaching so far, getting to know the systems and getting to know each other,” said Kaminski. “Again, it’s like every other year, you’re always looking to upgrade. Ear to the ground and you’re trying to find a few upgrades, and find that right fit to have that hopefully championship team.”
Out in Manitoba, the MJHL will kick off its regular season Oct. 9. The Alberta Junior Hockey League is starting pre-season play next week.
Here in Saskatchewan, hockey fans eagerly await some sort of an announcement while they watch the leaves turn autumn colours.
(PHOTO. The Ice Wolves celebrate a goal. Photo courtesy of Brandon White.)