Potential OHL return not yet confirmed

Discussions are ongoing between the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and the provincial government when it comes to the league returning to play this season.

Reports began to surface on Wednesday evening about the league having details in place as far as a return to the ice at the beginning of April.

In a statement released by OHL commissioner David Branch on Thursday morning, the details have not been finalized at this point.

“We are encouraged by our ongoing discussions with Government and Public Health agencies but have not yet arrived at an approved Return to Play framework for the coming season,” Branch said in a prepared statement.

Other Canadian Hockey League member leagues have either returned to play or have current policies in place.

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League returned to play in October and returned following a break at Christmas with teams playing in bubbles in various cities.

Maritime-based teams in the league have been allowed by their respective governments to play games in their own arenas.

Following an extended break at Christmas, some teams in the Maritime provinces have started to resume play again.

In the Western Hockey League, teams in Alberta have been approved to play beginning on Feb. 26.

The division will play a 24-game regular season schedule with various protocols in place, including teams playing a maximum of one opponent per week with a five-day break prior to playing a new opponent.

Games will be played on weekends and consist of home-and-home games only.

The U.S. Division of the WHL has been approved to play games in Washington state, beginning on March 19.

Games will be played with no fans and the Oregon-based Portland Winterhawks are reportedly going to play in a Washington-based suburb to have all five teams playing games in the same state.

Teams based in B.C. have not been approved for a return at this point while discussion are ongoing as far as a return for teams based in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Reports indicate that the league is discussing a potential bubble format for those teams.