Nearly two months after Hockey Canada released their “Action Plan", Canadian junior hockey leagues are still awaiting communication and direction from the governing body. Without guidance, Junior A and Junior B leagues across the country have been left to develop programming of their own, or wait for guidance from Hockey Canada as their seasons begin. The inaction from Hockey Canada has commissioners and league directors across Canada frustrated and questioning what comes next.
“Sadly, but unfortunately not surprisingly, we haven’t received anything from Hockey Canada,” said Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) commissioner Brent Garbutt. With his league, and Junior leagues that act as feeder systems for the OHL, QMJHL, and WHL left in the dark regarding Hockey Canada’s plans, Garbutt feels the focus is only on players participating in national team programs, despite the fact that hockey’s cultural issues exist everywhere, and Hockey Canada’s commitment purportedly involved all levels of the game in Canada.