COVID-19 is still an issue for minor hockey in the province, NL Hockey is staying cautiously optimistic that provincial tournaments will be able to go ahead.
Minor council with Hockey NL, Gonzo Bennett said they pulled the plug on Easter tournaments in early February while Omicron was spreading feverishly across the province. Just a few days later, it was announced that all COVID-19 should be lifted by March 14, meaning the tournaments could go ahead.
Bennett said that COVID-19 and isolation requirements has led to fewer volunteers around the rink for minor hockey teams and associations, which is creating some challenges.
He added some volunteers are no longer willing to take the risk of going back to the ice with COVID-19 still active in many communities, but he praises the Minor Hockey Association for recruiting new volunteers, and keeping everyone safe as possible.
Bennett said they have been keeping their fingers crossed, that provincial tournaments can go ahead, safely for the first time since 2019.
Report from VOCM.