The organizing body for hockey across the country announced that all spring national championships will be cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
That includes the Esso Cup U18 AAA Female championship, which was to be held in Prince Albert and would have included Moose Jaw Minor Hockey product Jasmine Kohl as a member of the host Prince Albert Northern Bears.
It’s the second time Prince Albert has lost the event. They were to first host the tournament in April 2020, but that event was cancelled soon after the pandemic began in March of last year.
There has been no word if the Bears will have a third chance to host the event, as the 2022 Esso Cup has already been awarded to Lloydminster, Alta.
“During these unprecedented times, Hockey Canada has had to make changes to its season schedule to prioritize the health and safety of all participants at our national events, impacting various host committees and communities across the country,” said Scott Smith, president and chief operating officer of Hockey Canada, in a press release.
“We appreciate the support and dedication by our upcoming host committees to adjust our schedule for the next two hockey seasons, and we look forward to working with these communities to put on world-class events.”
Also cancelled was the Telus Cup U18 AAA Male championship, which was to have been played in Saint-Hyacinthe, Que. this spring. The 2022 tournament will be played in Cape Breton, N.S.
The Centennial Cup Junior A tournament was to be played in Penticton, B.C.. Estevan will host the 2022 championship, with 2020 host Portage la Prairie to potentially do so in 2023.
Finally, the Allan Cup Senior Men’s AAA tournament was to be held in Hamilton, Ont. after being also scheduled for there in 2020. There is no word on a host for the event next spring.
