Photo courtesy of Bryan Wilson / Brooks Bandits

By Scott Roblin

Bandits Back

Bandits, AJHL receive provincial approval for March return to play

Feb 19, 2021 | 11:31 AM

BROOKS, AB – This time next month, the Brooks Bandits will be returning to the ice for regular season games again.

The Alberta Junior Hockey League will be officially restarting in March, announcing on Friday that they have received approvals from the provincial government for a return to play.

Players, coaches and team support staff are already isolating and will be returning to their arenas at the beginning of March for training camp, with the goal of beginning game play later in the month.

Games will be played only on weekends with the season running through the end of May, while spectators are currently not allowed to view games live in-person. However, games will be live-streamed through the league’s HockeyTV platform.

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

3h ago

POSTAL STRIKE

Donations to Medicine Hat non-profits drop over Canada Post strike

3h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

11h ago

The AJHL has been shut down since late November after a number of teams reported cases of COVID-19 on their rosters.

In a statement, AJHL commissioner Ryan Bartoshyk said it’s a relief getting the green light for teams to resume play this spring.

“We are grateful for the guidance provided by Alberta Health Services and our Chief Medical Officer in developing the protocols required to safely resume the season for our athletes,” said Bartoshyk. “Thank you to the Government of Alberta for the opportunity to allow our athletes to develop and excel here in Alberta, and to all 15 AJHL teams for the significant dedication to your players and communities across the province.”

Teams will be utilizing private PCR testing on a weekly basis through DynaLIFE, the same company that provided testing during the NHL playoff bubble and the 2021 World Juniors in Edmonton. Players will be able to hit the ice again following two negative COVID-19 tests.

If a team reports a positive COVID-19 test at any point in the season, they will be required to shut down for at least a two-week period, similar to the protocols in place in the Western Hockey League.

The Brooks Bandits were only able to get in two games before the league’s postponement of games in the fall, posting a 2-0-0 record over that time.

A complete league schedule and list of teams returning for the 2020-21 AJHL season will be released in the coming weeks.