It's all over.
In a statement issued Friday by the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), the overseeing body of all junior A hockey leagues in Canada, the group announced all playoff games for member leagues, including the SJHL, would be cancelled and not postponed due to COVID-19.
"The Canadian Junior Hockey League, in conjunction with its 10 member leagues and Hockey Canada, have officially cancelled the remainder of the 2019-20 season, due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic," the CJHL statement reads.
"As a result, all hockey-related activities, including respective league playoffs, the CJHL’s four regional championship events (Fred Page Cup, Dudley-Hewitt Cup; ANAVET Cup and Doyle Cup) and the Centennial Cup Canadian national junior A championship will not be held."
The announcement comes after playoffs for all CJHL member leagues, including the SJHL, were postponed March 12 due to concerns around COVID-19.
In a statement issued by Hockey Canada a day previous, the sport's nationwide governing body announced the end of the season and cancellation, pending further notice, of all events effective March 13. The cancellation includes national championships, including the Centennial Cup, the national junior A championship tournament.
“Without question, this is an unprecedented period of difficulty for the sports world. The health and safety of all participants in sport, including players, coaches, staff, officials, fans, family, volunteers and the general public, is of the utmost importance to Hockey Canada," read a statement issued by Hockey Canada chief executive officer Tom Renney.
"After much consultation with the Hockey Canada membership, our chief medical officer and public health officials, the Hockey Canada Board of Directors has made the decision to cancel all Hockey Canada-sanctioned activities, including our national championships, until further notice, effective Friday, March 13, 2020."
Earlier March 12, the SJHL issued a statement saying it would continue to play games as previously planned, but individual games were announced as postponed later in the day. All three ongoing playoff series issued postponements after the league's initial announcement.
The Flin Flon Bombers will remain the only SJHL team to win a playoff series this year, having disposed of their first-round opponents Humboldt in four games on March 11.
It is unclear if or how league champions will be named.
