The Western Hockey League has officially cancelled the rest of the 2019/20 season including the playoffs and the Memorial Cup due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The move comes just five days after the league cancelled the final two weeks of the regular season, while hoping at that time to still hold the 2020 playoffs at a later date.
“Nothing is more important to the WHL than the health and safety of our players, officials, staff, and fans,” said Commissioner Ron Robison. “Without any ability to predict as to when it will be safe and responsible to return to play, the WHL has made the difficult decision to cancel the WHL Playoffs and the balance of the 2019/20 season.”
“All of us at the WHL will continue to do our part in battling this virus so that we may be in a position to enjoy more WHL hockey.”
The cancellation means that for the first time in the 102-year history of the Memorial Cup that the trophy will not be presented. The tournament was set to take place in Kelowna from May 22 to May 31.
“We look forward with hope that next season will provide new opportunity to celebrate, and that the Memorial Cup will be presented at our prestigious national championship, hosted by the OHL in May 2021,” said a statement from the CHL.
The Kamloops Blazers were the only WHL team to clinch a Division Title before play was halted across the Canadian Hockey League on March 12 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The #CHL and regional leagues have made the difficult decision to cancel our 2020 Playoffs and @CHLMemorialCup.
We look forward with hope that next season will provide new opportunity to celebrate and that the #MemorialCup may be presented.
FULL 📰: https://t.co/Jq67zZGpDv pic.twitter.com/K1VfeLdzN1
— CanadianHockeyLeague (@CHLHockey) March 23, 2020
Big respect to @zaner19 , @mmartin10 and @r_hughes21. Sorry it ended this way. #Kamloops
— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) March 23, 2020
