QMJHL sets date for start of next season; hopes to have fans in attendance

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has set its date for the start of the 2020-21 season and, unlike the NHL, it wants to start on time. Commissioner Gilles Courteau told a news conference Tuesday that it wants the season to start on October 1st and he's hopeful fans will be able to be in attendance at that time.

As with many other leagues, the QMJHL shutdown on March 12th and immediately announced the cancellation of the remainder of the 2019-20 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike the NHL, which takes in billions of dollars in TV revenue, smaller leagues like the QMJHL are reliant on ticket money to stay profitable.

Courteau did tell reporters in attendance that a lot needs to be sorted out between now and October 1st to ensure the league starts at that time, but he's hopeful it will get done.

With the NHL planning to award the Stanley Cup for the 2019-20 season sometime in September, the opening day of next season will be pushed back and could even come as late as January of 2021. Other leagues like the AHL, OHL, WHL and QMJHL can potentially start on time given that this season does not need to be played out. It will be interesting to see what happens with the AHL, as it acts as the primary developmental league for the NHL.

À LIRE

Il y a 6 heures  |  Par William Nadeau Rumeur : Direction la KHL pour un nom connu des fans du Canadien de Montréal

Il y a 8 heures  |  Par William Nadeau Pierre Houde brise le silence sur la grosse rumeur impliquant TVA Sports

Il y a 9 heures  |  Par William Nadeau Une offre de transaction envoie Jason Robertson au Canadien contre deux joueurs

Il y a 10 heures  |  Par William Nadeau Changement de numéro pour Brendan Gallagher : il dévoile la véritable raison

Il y a 12 heures  |  Par William Nadeau « Nous serons de retour à Montréal » : la femme de Brendan Gallagher cause la surprise

Il y a 13 heures  |  Par William Nadeau Carrière terminée pour un ancien attaquant du Canadien de Montréal bien connu des fans?

Il y a 14 heures  |  Par William Nadeau Les deux joueurs que le Canadien devrait donner en échange de Dylan Larkin seraient enfin connus

Il y a 15 heures  |  Par William Nadeau À l'âge de 68 ans, Pierre Houde fait une annonce majeure sur son avenir

PLUS DE CHRONIQUES