Hi, this is Fred Wallace with ” Off the Wire ” proudly sponsored by Pete’s Auto Body.
Pete’s Auto Body; because we care about our community……
There’s been an ongoing trickle of movement as it pertains to a Return To Play for the Ontario Hockey League.
First, a report from Scott Wheeler of the Athletic suggested an early April, 24 game schedule in 4 hub centres was on the horizon.
Next, a passionate open letter from Attack defender Andrew Perrott calling for a return to action, created a great deal of interest and possibly some heightened activity.
To that end the OHL has a Conference Call with their General Managers today
While the Wheeler report suggested there would be a 24 game schedule implemented, the most recent suggestion is that schedule would be 20 games in length with 5 clubs competing at 4 different locations
In addition to the previous report, there have been whispers the 4 Hub Centres will have to be in locations where there is an adjacent rink to the main facility, in essence, a bubble of sorts.
To my knowledge, there are almost a half dozen centres that have such a venue; Kitchener, Mississauga, Oshawa, Sarnia and Windsor.
Two of those centres though, Mississauga & Windsor, have been hot spots for COVID-19, so that, along with the still closed international border, are significant aspects to be considered.
Finally, there have also been suggestions that there will not be a league playoff following the hub centre games nor a Memorial Cup championship.
We’ll see what shakes out today.
For Pete’s Auto Body, I’m Fred Wallace