OHL reinforcement for more COVID-19 uncertainty with capacity reduction | The Canadian News

David Branch was not surprised.

The Ontario Hockey League commissioner was hopeful that the increase in COVID-19 cases across the province would not force the government’s hand.

He could also read the tea leaves.

Ontario announced a 50 percent cap on venues _ including hockey arenas _ that can accommodate more than 1,000 people this week in hopes of slowing the spread of the latest wave of the pandemic powered by the fast-moving Omicron variant.

And while the NHL and NBA made the first headlines, and will have far fewer people in the stands when the new rules go into effect Saturday, a youth circuit that relies overwhelmingly on ticket sales to keep the lights on is still facing. more potential difficulties. .

“In a way, you could say, we are veterans of the battle against COVID,” Branch told The Canadian Press during a telephone interview on Friday. “And while it is disappointing that we have to take steps like this, we understand and support the initiatives.

“We all have a role to play.”

The OHL has endured a tough 19 months since the pandemic brought much of the sporting world to a standstill in March 2020. The 2019-20 campaign had to finally be scrapped _ the same thing happened with Canada’s other top-tier youth leagues _ as that the last season was completely canceled.

Ontario teams welcomed fans with open arms in September, but now face more uncertainty.

“I really don’t want to project on what the financial challenges will be,” said Branch, whose league has 17 franchises in the province and three in the United States. “There will be problems around that. But many companies are also affected.

“Our owners are committed … we will do whatever it takes to meet the challenges.”

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North Bay Battalion president Mike Griffin said the situation could turn bleak before long for some clubs.

“I can assure you that not many teams, at half capacity, will be in a good financial position,” he said. “It will be something that we will take care of month by month.

“Hopefully this will be under control sooner rather than later.”

Ontario, however, reported more than 3,000 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, with projections getting worse as the holidays approach.

“I don’t think anybody is sitting here saying, ‘Well that’s fine.’ None of us have that mentality, but it’s, ‘How did we get out of this? Griffin added. “(The experts) have been predicting for more than a week that we would see 10,000 (cases) one day before December 31st. That scares you. That scares me as a parent, scares me as a member of the community, and obviously for the well-being of the players.

“Hopefully the actions taken help.”

OHL has also had to deal with three major recent COVID-19 issues, including two this week.

The season started normally, but the first signs of trouble came earlier this month when the Sudbury Wolves tested 12 players positive. There have been a couple of outbreaks affecting a total of 24 people, although the Erie Otters and Flint Firebirds are based in the US.

The OHL has been forced to scratch a total of 16 games so far this season due to COVID-19, including 10 this week. The league requires that all players, staff, officials and players be vaccinated.

“We are constantly making adjustments to our (COVID-19) protocols,” Branch said when asked if the rules need to be adjusted because of the variance. “As we collect more information, it may result in more steps (and) measures.”

The OHL will take a planned vacation break starting Monday before resuming action on December 29.

“We are going to play that schedule as long as it is safe and advisable,” Branch said. “And we will play the games that remain without jeopardizing the safety and well-being of our players and everyone else is the community _ and our fans.

“Then we will reassess as we gather more information on this latest variant and the best way forward.”

Despite the reality facing teams across the province, Branch wanted to make it clear that the current situation in Ontario is impacting far more than its league.

“This is a hit with everyone,” Branch said. “The challenges we face are not limited to youth hockey. We are just one segment.

“We have to find solutions.”

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