The Skeena
Hockey season in the Skeena was supposed to start on December 4. But that won’t be happening now because of COVID, the Central Interior Hockey League announced.
“Well I guess with what has been going on around the world it’s time for us as a league to come to terms that a 2020-21 CIHL season is not looking like it will be possible,” said the league’s president Ron German in a press release.
The league includes teams in Prince Rupert, Kitimat, Terrace, Smithers, Hazelton, Williams Lake and Quesnel.
“With recent restrictions we feel that in any circumstances less than a super miracle vaccination, we would probably not return to play with spectators in time to salvage a 20-21 season,” German added.
Local hockey fans were saddened by the news. “We have missed so much because of Covid,” Line Gagnon wrote on a fan page for the Terrace River Kings hockey team. “Missing River Kings in 20-21 as well HURTS.”
“It does suck all right,” Lynne Nordstrom added.
But in the long-term local hockey isn’t going anywhere. “The CIHL will be back as soon as we can play in front of our valued communities and fans,” German said.
