While the hockey world’s focus has been on the NHL and whether or not it will be able to resume the 2019-20 season this summer, other leagues have had to look forward and plan for the future. It was hard to know how a major junior league like the QMJHL would continue given its reliance on ticket sales to generate revenue, but today commissioner Gilles Courteau announced that they are targeting October 1st as a start date for the 2020-21 season.
A statement released by the Halifax Mooseheads (and mirrored by several other organizations) explained:
Although this is a positive announcement for all of us that are looking forward to getting back in the Scotiabank Centre, we fully understand that there are still a number of factors to be determined and approved by our Provincial Government and public health authorities before we can begin selling ticket packages.
The league is hoping for a full 68-game season, which would start just a few weeks after the originally scheduled opening day. Obviously as with any announcements like this, things could change in an instant. But they have at least circled a date to work towards.