Trevor LeDonne (pictured) and his Nanaimo Clipper teammates are hopeful a shortened BCHL season can begin sometime in March. (Gary Dorland)

By Dan Marshall

Hope for Hockey

Clippers continue to hold out hope for a BCHL season

Feb 5, 2021 | 4:26 PM

NANAIMO — The British Columbia Hockey League remains in a seemingly indefinite holding pattern.

Continuing health restrictions in the province mean the league’s hope of beginning a regular season in February are dashed, with teams limited to skills and drills activities only until at least March.

The Nanaimo Clippers began holding on ice skills sessions since late November with their last game action on Nov. 18 when they won the exhibition Island Cup in Victoria.

Clippers owner Wes Mussio said he feels there is a light at the end of the tunnel after the provincial health briefing of Feb. 5.

“This is probably the most difficult time to be a hockey player in decades across North America. These players have persevered and they haven’t complained. They’ve gone to the rink every day which shows their level of commitment.”

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The number of games which would be played in a condensed season hasn’t been determined but Mussio stated there would likely be groupings of games against the same team within a Vancouver Island pod.

“One advantage of not having fans this year is we’ll be able to play whenever and wherever we can get ice, it doesn’t necessarily have to be at the Frank Crane Arena. Our staff is going to work hard to get us a large number of games as soon as we get the go ahead.”

Two-year Clipper Trevor LeDonne said he and his teammates have gotten into a routine so they can be ready when the puck finally drops.

“We’ll just stick to what we’ve been doing, skate three or four times a week and try to do a couple of team activities. We’ll also be in the gym and trying to stay strong for whenever we’re allowed to start.”

There’s no official word yet on the BCHL playoffs but it has been decided there will be no Junior A national championship for a second consecutive year.

The Penticton Vees were set to host the 2021 Centennial Cup but Hockey Canada made the decision to cancel the event.

As part of her Feb. 5 briefing Dr. Bonnie Henry addressed youth sport specifically with an eye on a possible return in the next three to four weeks.

“Looking ahead, we are continuing to work with viaSport and we can start to put plans in place to get youth sport up and running by the end of this month.”

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dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77