The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League has delayed the start of its season to Nov. 13 when it plans to run a 30-game campaign with three teams opting out and no fans in the stands.
The Junior B league announced Thursday it would move forward with just 17 teams competing after the Beaver Valley Nitehawks, 100 Mile House Wranglers and Spokane Braves decided to take the season off.
KIJHL commissioner Jeff Dubois said the Canada-United States border closure keeps Spokane from taking part, while the COVID-19 pandemic香蕉视频直播檚 financial impact on teams was a factor in Beaver Valley and 100 Mile House deciding to sit out the season.
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Dubois said the absence of three teams plus provincial restrictions on the number of players who can compete will change the KIJHL香蕉视频直播檚 structure of five teams playing in four divisions.
Instead, the league will have two cohorts of four teams and three cohorts of three teams playing each other. Dubois said the league is planning to have teams change opponents during the Christmas break and at the end of January following a required 14-day quarantine break.
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The KIJHL was among the sports leagues that had to when B.C. entered its pandemic lockdown. The league typically starts its regular season in early September, but had planned for an Oct. 2 start this year.
Dubois said the league has told teams to plan for no fans in the stands this season, but he香蕉视频直播檚 hopeful that provincial restrictions ease to allow for it at some point.
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If those fans do return, Dubois said they will likely notice small changes to the on-ice action.
Crackdowns on scrums around the nets, officials who steer clear of players and measures to prevent fights are being considered by BC Hockey and Hockey Canada, according to Dubois.
Meanwhile, if a player or team staff member tests positive for COVID-19 then tests would be administered to everyone within that team香蕉视频直播檚 cohort. Dubois said a positive test would also shut down the cohort for 14 days without a negative tests.
香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 one where it香蕉视频直播檚 not a decision we香蕉视频直播檙e making,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淲e will follow the guidance of the province and the regional health authority.香蕉视频直播�
| tyler.harper@nelsonstar.com
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