The 2021 Esso Cup in Prince Albert and other national championships planned for this spring have been cancelled.
Hockey Canada cites the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for the cancellation of the Esso Cup, Telus Cup, Centennial Cup and Allan Cup. The organization postponed the tournaments last year allowing host communities to hold their spot in 2021 if conditions approved.
“The ongoing pandemic, coupled with the fact that many regions in the country are not currently playing organized hockey, left us with no other option,” says CEO Tom Renney in a release. “We believe the decision to cancel our spring 2021 national championships is the safest decision given the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic at a local level, as well as the uncertainty around each region being able to compete for a national championship.”
Lloydminster is scheduled to host the 2022 Esso Cup, however Hockey Canada has not confirmed whether that is still the case. They say they will be working with stakeholders and host communities with announcements coming in the next few months.