Will The BCHL Follow The NHL’s Lead And Suspend Action?

This is posted on Vernonmatters.ca

Will the BCHL follow the NHL’s lead and suspend action?

March 12, 2020

The suspension of sports league like the National Hockey League, which was announced today, could impact junior leagues like the B.C. Hockey League as well, but at this point, all of the second round playoff games are going ahead.

Vernon Matters reached out to the BCHL for comment on if it is considering suspending action due to coronavirus concerns.

Vernon Vipers vice president Todd Miller said there is nothing official from the league at this point, but based on what’s happened in other leagues, he would be surprised if the issue wasn’t being talked about by league officials.

“As [it] probably is in every household, every office everywhere at this point,” Miller told Vernon Matters. “Are they prepared to take action at this point? That I don’t know. It’s happening above me and obviously being talked about.”

Miller said he’s been following the situation in junior hockey closely.

“I know about the Seattle and Everett situation [planning to play home games without crowds due to state rules]. I read today the Western League, the Q [Quebec] and the O [Ontario junior league], their commissioners are meeting with the CHL this afternoon and then there will probably be some directive from there. And much like society is going now, everybody seems to be taking orders from above and doing what everybody else is doing. Are we concerned? Sure, a little bit but at the same time it’s business as usual as of now.”

Miller added all teams in B.C. received directives from B.C. Hockey.

“There has been recommendations as far as not shaking hands, not sharing water bottles and that sort of thing. We’re getting daily directives from B.C. Hockey. That being said, there has been nothing said from the B.C. Hockey League that has said ‘we’re looking at suspending action, we’re looking at doing anything different. Do I suspect that is going to change? I don’t know. I think based on everything that’s going on and everything else that is around, you never know, but as of 10 this morning it’s business as usual,” Miller said.

The second round playoff series are set to get underway Friday including the Vipers visiting the Penticton Vees.