The pause continues for the 2021 CCHL season, but it looks like there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
Earlier this month, the league decided to continue its pause for the year, until the provincial government gives the green light to resume play.
General Manager for the Kemptville 73s, Terry Nichols says the team is happy to see the work being done by the league and province to ensure a return to play.
However, he’ll be even happier when he sees his players on the ice.
“The municipality of North Grenville has been great with us all along and has worked well with us, and it’s been very flexible based on what the local health unit has put down,” Nichols said. “Right now, we’re aiming for February 11th, but no one knows for sure.”
The league says it’s plan remains to have a season that ensures its players can showcase their abilities to higher levels of competition.
Nichols says if there’s one thing that’s been lost this year, it’s player exposure to those higher levels, such as the CHL, NCAA, U-Sport, and the NHL draft.
“Our league would normally have around 25-30 NCAA, Division 1 scholarships at this time, and I think we’re only at 11 or 12,” he said. “Scouts haven’t been able to see them, they haven’t been able to come out and have had limited opportunities to see them on the ice.”
The 73’s are coming off a season that saw them go 26-31-4-1, narrowly missing the playoffs.
The team last saw game action on December 18, prior to the shutdown, in a 5-2 loss to the Nepean Raiders.
Nichols says if and when the season starts, the squad will be ready.
“We can compete with anyone,” Nichols said. “Whether or not we have standings and playoffs this year, I don’t know. So, we won’t be able to have a true measurement of that when it comes to the end. But just the same, there’s some good kids here. We only have potentially three graduating players, so we should have a good team next year.”