Local organized sports are playing the waiting game as to when they can resume play.
The province, as part of their lockdown extension announcement on January 7th, revealed that Northern Ontario will remain in Code Grey until at least January 23rd.
“In Code Grey, hockey facilities will be closed and all HNO programming will be paused,” indicates Hockey Northwestern Executive Director Alex Vaillant, in a statement. “HNO will remain in communication with the Public Health Units and will provide an update as more information becomes available.”
One of the leagues that’s waiting to resume play is the Lakehead Junior Hockey League, which had all four teams skating inside the Tournament Centre.
League President Josh Gribben says things can get going right away if and when the province wide lockdown gets lifted.
“We’re fully prepared to basically pick up where we left off as soon as those restrictions lift. We’ve been fortunate in the sense that the Thunder Bay Tournament Centre has been really accommodating and making our league a priority,” says Gribben.
The President adds the decision was made months ago to have games no matter how many they get in.
“If it’s only ten games, we’ll take it. If it’s four games then we accept it. But if we’re able to get 16-20 games and a small playoffs, then you know what we’re going to look at that as a silver lining in all of this,” stresses Gribben.
