The CHL cancels regular season

The Canadian Hockey League (QMJHL, OHL, and WHL) decided to pull the plug on the 2019-20 season on Wednesday afternoon, cancelling all remaining regular-season games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no word yet on the status of the playoffs or the Memorial Cup.

The QMJHL was the first league to announce that it had cancelled its season and the WHL and OHL followed shortly after that. WHL Commissioner Ron Robinson issued the following statement…

A couple of Oilers’ prospects are affected by this decision.

2019 second-round pick Rafael Lavoie finishes his season ninth in the QMJHL in points with 82 in 55 games. His Chicoutimi Saguenéens owned the third-best record in the league and were poised for a deep playoff run. 2018 third-round Olivier Rodrigue’s Moncton Wildcats were in a tight race for top spot in the league. He’ll finish his season with a .918 save percentage in 39 games.

If the QMJHL playoffs are cancelled, both players will have played their last game in the league, as they’ll turn pro next season.