Saskatchewan provincial hockey championships cancelled

The puck will not be dropped for provincial hockey championships in Saskatchewan this year.

Due to current restrictions and guidelines, the Saskatchewan Hockey Association has cancelled the 2021 SGI Canada provincial playoffs and carded team programs.

In a memo, the association said: “There was no way we could accommodate separate competitions within the environment we are living in.”

SHA leagues had got underway but were forced to return to just practices with eight players at a time due to new restrictions in November.

The SHA said it wanted to encourage its members to continue to practise and focus on the skill development of minor hockey players.

“The decision was not an easy one, however at this point the SHA’s focus is simply to get everyone back to playing games in a league environment to salvage the season,” the association said.

“There was no way we could accommodate separate competitions within the environment we are living in. Right now, we are simply fortunate to be able to have minor hockey teams practise when you compare our situation to the two neighbouring provinces who are not able to play or practise in any fashion.”

The SHA says teams will be given refunds in a timely manner.