Sask. government provides funding to SJHL, WHL teams

It’s unknown if or when junior hockey games will be played in Saskatchewan due to COVID-19 measures.

On Friday, the Saskatchewan government offered financial support for teams in the two leagues that have seen their operations affected by the virus and the province’s response to it.

Under current public health orders, athletes under the age of 18 can practise or train in small groups, but team sports are banned.

The province is providing $3 million in funding — $600,000 to each of the five WHL teams based in the province — to help the organizations deal with revenue shortfalls caused by COVID-19 restrictions .

Saskatoon Blades president and general manager Colin Priestner said his club is experiencing losses into the millions with nearly every revenue stream either eliminated or heavily reduced.

“We’ve been kind of enduring a hellish 10 months,” he said. “The cost of operations right now are astronomical compared to the no revenue we have coming in.”

Priestner said the funding will help junior hockey in the province survive as most teams strive to break even on the balance sheet every season.

The SJHL, meanwhile, is receiving $1 million in funding. It will be split between each of the league’s 12 teams and the league office.

“It’s definitely going to make things easier — not a lot easier, but easier. The revenue streams that the teams and the league normally have are cut off,” SJHL president Bill Chow said.

“Our junior hockey teams are a critical part of the cultural fabric and local economies across the province,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said in a media release. “Necessary restrictions due to COVID-19 have had a significant impact on these leagues and their teams and this support will help them address these financial challenges.”

Regina Pats chief operating officer Stacey Cattell said Friday’s announcement should be celebrated.

With hundreds of industries impacted by COVID-19 and its accompanying restrictions, Cattell said hockey was affected just like a small-town restaurant or clothing store.

“We are not unlike any of them. We’re all suffering through this,” he said. “We are continuing to try to get our sport back to play, so this does help us.”

The SJHL started the 2020-21 season, but announced Nov. 25 it was pausing the campaign due to measures the provincial government had enacted to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The WHL never began the ’20-21 season, opting to delay its opening. While the league revealed Jan. 8 it was committed to having each team play a 24-game regular season, it’s unknown when the season will start.

Health officials are working with the WHL, the SJHL and other sports leagues to see when seasons can begin or resume.

“COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on our five Saskatchewan-based WHL teams and we commend the Government of Saskatchewan for providing this assistance at such a critical time,” WHL commissioner Ron Robison said in the government’s release.

“Our WHL clubs are a vital source of community pride and major economic driver in Swift Current, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, and the support from the Government of Saskatchewan will not only allow the teams to remain viable but will ensure we can continue to provide a world-class development and educational experience for our players.”

“The SJHL, which consists of community-owned teams, has been in a state of uncertainty due to COVID-19 during the past several months,” SJHL President Bill Chow said. “The financial support that has been provided by the Saskatchewan Government creates a more positive outlook for our teams.”

As for minor hockey in the province, the Saskatchewan Hockey Association said Thursday it didn’t expect games to resume before the end of the season due to the province’s COVID measures.