OHL cancels 2020-21 season

The OHL will not return to play until at least 2021-22, the league announced Tuesday.

The league cited the recent extension of Ontario's stay-at-home order and the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the province as reasons for the decision.

Earlier in April, the OHL and the provincial government agreed on a plan for the league to resume play. However, the proliferation of coronavirus variants led to a spike in local cases. Ontario Premier Doug Ford enacted a stay-at-home order shortly thereafter. Last week, he extended it through at least May 20.

The plan for the OHL's return never came to fruition as a result. It was to be an abbreviated season played in hub cities.

The OHL is the only Canadian major junior league that hadn't started playing in 2020-21. The WHL said Monday it would not conduct its playoffs following a 24-game regular season.

The CHL canceled the 2021 Memorial Cup last Tuesday.

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