The Nova Scotia Junior Hockey League is resuming the 2020-21 season.
League officials say they’ve agreed to restart play without fans following a lengthy discussion at a board of governors meeting Sunday.
They say it was a difficult decision, since fans make up a large portion of revenue for teams after sponsorships.
Officials say they’ll reassess the situation when current public health restrictions are set to expire Feb. 7.
There’s already been one game played- Sackville shutout East Hants 6-0 in Sackville Monday night.
Adam Rodgers, the president of the Strait Pirates, tells The Hawk team officials have decided to wait to learn if restrictions will be lifted so they can have fans in attendance.
The Antigonish Bulldogs host the Pictou Co. Scotians in the first half of a home-and-home series Saturday, then to travel to Trenton Sunday night.
Reps with the Cumberland Co. Blues have asked for a leave of absence for the rest of the season- many of their players live in New Brunswick, and can’t come into the province for hockey.
Meanwhile, the province’s two Quebec Major Junior Hockey League teams are getting back on the ice.
Public health officials in our province and PEI have approved the plan for the Halifax Mooseheads, Cape Breton Eagles and Charlottetown Islanders to restart their seasons.
Play resumes when Cape Breton hosts Charlottetown at Centre 200 in Sydney Friday night; Halifax visits Cape Breton Saturday afternoon.
Current COVID-19 restrictions mean no fans are allowed in the rinks for the time being.
New Brunswick officials have delayed the return of the Moncton Wildcats, Saint John Sea Dogs and Acadie-Bathurst Titan until the situation improves in that province.
