The Government of Saskatchewan is coming to the rescue of the province’s five W-H-L teams and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
The SaskParty government is providing a total of four million dollars of support in the face of the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of the five Saskatchewan-based W-H-L clubs will receive $600,000 while the S-J-H-L gets $1,000,000. The W-H-L has sat idle for more than 10 months…since March 12 of last year…while the S-J-H-L did begin a 2020-21 season at the beginning of November, but paused it before the month was done in the face of rising novel coronavirus cases. Both leagues…along with other sports in Saskatchewan…will continue to work with the provincial government to provide a safe return to play, but no firm dates have been given. On Thursday, Curl Sask cancelled their 2021 provincial women’s and men’s championships while the Saskatchewan Hockey Association was told team-related activities were at least four weeks away from resuming as normal with games unlikely to be played until the end of March. Following is the news release from the province…
NEW FUNDING TO SUPPORT JUNIOR HOCKEY
Today, the Government of Saskatchewan announced funding to support the province’s Western Hockey League (WHL) teams and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). This support will help the survival of these leagues and their teams in Saskatchewan in the face of the challenges created by COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our junior hockey teams are a critical part of the cultural fabric and local economies across the province,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Necessary restrictions due to COVID-19 have had a significant impact on these leagues and their teams and this support will help them address these financial challenges.”
The provincial government is providing $3 million in support to help WHL teams address revenue shortfalls as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. Each of Saskatchewan’s WHL teams will receive $600,000.
The SJHL will receive $1 million in provincial support. This funding will be provided to the League.
Provincial government officials continue to work with the WHL, the SJHL and other sports leagues on options for a safe return to play in the future.
“COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on our five Saskatchewan-based WHL teams and we commend the Government of Saskatchewan for providing this assistance at such a critical time,” WHL Commissioner Ron Robison said. “Our WHL Clubs are a vital source of community pride and major economic driver in Swift Current, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, and the support from the Government of Saskatchewan will not only allow the teams to remain viable but will ensure we can continue to provide a world-class development and educational experience for our players.”
“The SJHL, which consists of community owned teams, has been in a state of uncertainty due to COVID-19 during the past several months,” SJHL President Bill Chow said. “The financial support that has been provided by the Saskatchewan Government creates a more positive outlook for our teams.”
