Journal Staff
The most recent COVID-19 “stay-at-home” order has benched both of Sarnia’s junior hockey teams for another season.
Lockdowns and a surge in COVID-19 cases were deciding factors to cancel the Sarnia Sting and Sarnia Legionnaire seasons, officials of both leagues announced.
“We were committed to return and play this season, but our hopes and desires have been dashed by the cruel realities of COVID-19,” said Ontario Hockey League (OHL) commissioner David Branch.
The Sting are one of 17 teams in the OHL, and the Legionnaires are one of 26 teams in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL).
“There simply is no way of completing any kind of meaningful season,” the GOJHL said, noting recreational facilities are all closed to the public and many towns or cities are preparing to take out their arena ice.
“At this time, we will focus our attention on planning for a successful return in the 2021-22 season,” said league commissioner Brent Garbutt.