The province is providing the Ontario Hockey League with $2.35 million to help cover the cost of post-secondary scholarships for its players — about $138,000 for each of Ontario’s 17 teams — and promised more funding is on the way for a league that has struggled during prolonged pandemic shutdowns.
Sport and Tourism Minister Lisa MacLeod announced the new money Wednesday at Queen’s Park, part of a $15.3-million package to boost provincial sports organizations and community clubs as well as help 550 athletes who compete nationally as part of Quest for Gold Canada.
MacLeod called the OHL funding is an initial investment. “We are continuing to work with the OHL on a return-to-play protocol and a safe return to play,” she said, while wearing a Nepean Wildcats hockey jacket, the hockey organization her teen daughter plays for and where she has helped out as a trainer.
MacLeod said the new COVID-19 variants and fears of a third wave shouldn’t impact the return date of the league’s already delayed season, given the protocols that are being finalized, and that the goal is a 20-plus game season. The plan will need the approval of the chief medical officer of health, as well as local medical officers.
“I’m optimistic by the end of this month we’ll be able to make an announcement and that they can get to work on selecting the locations and venues in which they will play,” MacLeod said.
She said she is particularly worried about super-spreader COVID events that could sideline an athlete permanently, and wants to ensure “that the integrity of that bubble will prevent the spread of COVID-19 or any variants of concern.”
Fans won’t be allowed in the stands, she said, adding “that’s off the table in the immediate term.”
While MacLeod has spoken to the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators about the same issue, “at this time, it’s not cleared with the chief medical officer of health.”
The province has come under considerable pressure to allow the return of the OHL, with letters and petitions from fans and players. No OHL games have been played since March 11 of last year, when the province entered its first shutdown because of COVID-19. The league had planned a Feb. 4 start for the 2020-21 season.
Across Canada, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League was the only one to start roughly on time, in early October, but paused the season from Dec. 1 to Jan. a shortened season. The Western Hockey League resumed in February.
“We recognize how important the OHL is as a feeder to the NHL and … to other professional leagues around the world,” MacLeod said. “We want to do the best we can.”
The OHL and its teams said despite the pandemic, they have kept their scholarship commitments, which were more than $3 million in 2019-20.
“Minister MacLeod’s announcement today recognizes the importance of this program to our players and their families,” OHL commissioner David Branch said in a written statement. “It will help address the substantial cost of the scholarship program to OHL teams …
“Getting players back on the ice as quickly as possible continues to be our main priority and we will continue to work diligently with the government to ensure a safe return to play this season. We look forward to Minister MacLeod’s announcement on the matter of returning to play along with details on further financial aid for the league.”
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Meanwhile, MacLeod said Wednesday that the Canadian Football League’s return is a work in progress.
While the model has not been determined, they are looking at “if they want to play in their own stadiums, what that would entail in terms of a Canadian bubble,” she said. “I think it’s far too early to say, but we fully support the return of the CFL … I’m really hopeful we can work to a solution for them.”
