Hi, this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire “.
The centre of the Ontario Junior Hockey scene has shifted to Shelburne.
Previously we talked about the possibility of a Collingwood bubble for six Ontario Junior Hockey League teams during November.
And while that concept didn’t fly, a variation has popped up in the Ontario Junior Super League that is just a week away.
The OJSL announced this week that the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex in Shelburne will serve as the hub for all their games this season.
There’s a Media Day and a Family Day on November 13th which will be followed by the opening games of the season all played in Shelburne.
The OJSL features 9 teams; Barrie, Etobicoke, Guelph, Mississauga, Newmarket, Oakville, two Toronto entries and Vaughan, all within a relatively short drive of Shelburne.
The Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex is a one pad facility which League President & CEO Dwayne McKillop says offers a number of positive factors.
The teams roll into one facility, they play on one surface, the venue is cleaned following a game and then the transition for the next game unfolds, while the first two teams depart Shelburne and head back to their market.
McKillop is quite confident their season will commence and proceed as scheduled.
However, the President is mindful that government and health officials could implement new restrictions.
Plus Dwayne McKillop stresses the OJSL isn’t a rogue operation; they will respect and adhere to all health and safety measures ensuring their hub in Shelburne is the cleanest, safest place for Junior Hockey to be staged.
I’m Fred Wallace