As a result of the global pandemic, our last season of junior hockey has been taken away from us. The over age season has been known by many to be the best year of a players junior career. With no season being played for the 2020-2021 year, multiple governing bodies had approved to allow the over age group of 1999 born players to play in the 2021-2022 season... if it was able to happen following all covid guidelines. Recently, all teams, staff and players have been informed that Hockey Canada has denied the governing bodies requests to allow 1999 born players to play their overage season. 

This instantly saddened many hockey players as they have had their final year of competitive hockey taken away from them through no fault of their own. This is going to negatively affect so many athletes, as they would be losing a season that is so special to them. This season was the last chance for the majority of the 1999 born athletes to compete at an elite level for a championship. This past year has been extremely tough for everyone, and these athletes have been training for the past year to prepare for a return to hockey, giving them something to look forward to when the pandemic is all over. It is more than just a "year of hockey" for the 1999 age group. It is a year that they have looked forward to and prepared for their whole careers. These athletes would be missing out on their final chance to make memories that last a lifetime. The bus trips, the big wins, the fans and the intense competitive atmosphere of playoff hockey when the local communities rally behind them has now been ripped out from under them. With the decision of Hockey Canada, the 1999 age group is losing not only their final season, but their final chance at memories and opportunities that they would have carried with them forever.

We still have time before the 2021-2022 season drops the puck, we hope to change Hockey Canadas decision.