The QMJHL became the latest hockey league to cancel the remainder of its 2019-20 season because of the coronavirus pandemic.
March 21 was the planned end date of the QMJHL regular season, while the league’s draft lottery had initially been scheduled for March 25. The draft lottery has been postponed while remaining games were canceled. The QMJHL laid out its draft lottery rules as part of its statement.
Along with several European leagues, the ECHL announced its cancellation on Saturday.
As you can see in the list of links at the bottom of this post, the NHL pushed back the possible resumption of the 2019-20 season/start of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs to May. And, of course, that could change. The AHL made a similar announcement.
Follow this NBC News live update thread for more on the coronavirus pandemic.
UPDATE:
The 2020 #QMJHL Entry Draft will be conducted online instead of being held in a public setting at the Palais des Sports Léopold-Drolet. Also, the annual session which were to be held from June 3rd to 5th have been cancelled.
— QMJHL (@QMJHL) March 18, 2020
MORE:
- NHL pushes back possible return to around May, maybe later.
- NHL players told to self-isolate through March.
- AHL also says it will pause through at least May.
- ECHL among leagues that canceled 2019-20 season.
- Uncertainty awaits as NHL puts season on ice — for now.
- How grassroots hockey has been affected by COVID-19.
- Where the NHL left off with 2019-20 season in limbo.
- Looking at shortened and postponed NHL seasons.
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James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.