As the Central Division gets ready to drop the puck on Friday, February 26, we reflect on the past 12 months.
Nearly a year.
Who would have ever thought an entire hockey league could or would take an entire year off from playing the game?
But that is exactly what has happened.
The novel coronavirus took a year away from teenagers and young adults pursuing their dream.
It took away a year of franchises hunting for an Ed Chynoweth Cup and a Memorial Cup.
It took fans away from cheering on their teams and their favourite players.
The financial cost on the teams has been astronomical, yet they continued to work towards securing the necessary regulations to allow the players to hit the ice.
Nearly a year. And what a year it has been.
352 days for some players in the Central Division, a few days more for others.
Other divisions won’t start for a few weeks, and the BC Division remains unknown.
Nearly a year later they’re back.
Thank you to the Western Hockey League, its teams, and everyone involved in the extraordinary process of bringing the WHL game back to the ice amid a worldwide pandemic.
Thank you to the various committees, and governments that have agreed to allow the teams to play.
Thank you to the players who are putting themselves out on the ice amid the pandemic, to give the fans something to cheer about. Thank you for pursuing your dreams to entertain us.
Thank you to the WHL team owners, who have endured major losses, especially financially, to continue to develop the players that hit the ice in the coming days and weeks.
Thank you to the officials who are going to put themselves on the line to ensure that the games are played fairly.
We thank everyone for their support of DUBNetwork, not only bringing us back but sticking with us while we reported what we were able to amid the pandemic. There were days where throwing in the towel may have been easier, but we too persevered.
Let’s do everything we can to support the teams and league, and make this 24-game season the best we can. We know that the Western Hockey League can and will be back full-time, better than ever in 2021-22.
Once again, thank you.
