Barrie Colts players have been sent home after the Canadian Hockey League, which oversees the Ontario Hockey League, decided to suspend the 2019-20 season until further notice due to the coronavirus.
Thursday's announcement affects all teams in the OHL, Western Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Colts interim coach Todd Miller told BarrieToday he assumed something was going to happen after hearing earlier in the day that the National Hockey League was putting its schedule on pause beginning with tonight's slate of games.
“I heard from our team owner after there was a conference call today and found out we were stopping league play,” Miller said in a phone interview. “With our close relationship with the NHL and hearing that they had shut down, I kind of saw it coming.”
Leagues throughout North America and the rest of the world are suspending play in hopes of reducing the chances of spreading the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
Miller said it's good to know the league is taking the outbreak seriously, but he's also hopeful that the OHL will be able to resume play in a few weeks.
“I think the safety and well-being of the players, staff and fans is the most important thing,” he said. “If we come back with time left in the season, or maybe time for a playoffs format, we (Colts) are sitting in a position to play.”
The Barrie Colts currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference standings and had a playoff spot clinched when the postponement of the season was announced.
