The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is just over a month away from kicking off the hockey season.

They came out with their Return To Play - Phase II guidelines this past week. In that release they announced the start date of the regular season which will be on October 9th. MJHL Commissioner Kevin Saurette says the response they’ve received has been nothing but positive.

“It’s very exciting to get to this point,” says Saurette. “Since the announcement the feedback has been very, very positive from everyone involved in the MJHL community. It’s an exciting moment but there’s still a lot of work to be done. With this announcement, we understand that we now have a great responsibility to deliver on our plan and that’s something we plan to do very professionally and in a very laid out way.”

Saurette says this season will be different from any other but they will be adapting to the “new normal” with concerns regarding COVID-19. He adds teams will be making their own decisions, in partner with their local public health authorities, to make the best plan for their stadium when it comes to fan entrance, seating, movement in the building, and exiting. 

The MJHL strongly encourages the use of face masks from spectators at any MJHL event. Saurette notes certain venues may decide to make the use of masks mandatory but that will be their own decision at this moment.

Saurette says fans will need to come prepared to follow the guidelines.

“Just knowing what’s expected when you come to view an MJHL game,” Saurette explains. “Quite frankly, I think there’s a lot of excitement to get back to the rink and watch hockey but just being aware and knowing the environment that the spectators will be walking into is very important.”

Saurette notes they are currently modifying the full schedule and plan to release it in the coming weeks. He adds the length of the season is still being discussed as well.