Ty Milne singed with the Thunder on the June 1 signing day. (submitted photo/Ty Milne)

By Mat Barrett

CJFL Cancels Season

‘I understand their decision’: Milne reacts to CJFL season cancellation

Aug 7, 2020 | 12:39 PM

On Thursday, August 6, the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) announced they would be cancelling their 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That cancellation has left hundreds of young football players with no season this year. One of those players is Melfort’s Ty Milne who signed with the team on the June 1 signing day after a career with the MUCC Comets football program. Milne told northeastNOW the news was a tough pill to swallow.

“It wasn’t a surprise by any means, it’s totally a good call by the league. I understand their decision completely,” he said. “It’s tough to get your mind around it, but it is what it is. It’s out of our power.”

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Milne was expected to be one of a few rookies vying for a spot at the defensive end position with the Thunder this season. He said there was still lots of questions to be answered when signing back in June, but it was still an exciting moment.

The recently turned 18-year-old said now that there is no season, there will be even more time to focus on getting better for when his first season eventually does come.

“I guess just get back into the gym and keep working harder,” Milne said. “And get to a better place than I am now for whenever we can get back to playing.”

He added there was talk of a shortened season earlier in the summer, but now there are some more things that need to be ironed out between players and coaches. Milne said he has been in contact with the coaching staff and the plan is to return to the Thunder next season. He said the passion for football still remains and the goal is still to play as long as possible.

Milne was planning on moving to Regina for the season and was going to be taking classes at the University of Regina as well. That is still the plan, but classes are likely to be online for this coming school year.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6