Mustang forward Ben Tkachuk celebrates a goal this season. (Facebook/Broad Leaf Media)

By Mat Barrett

COVID-19 and the SJHL

‘It’s a big business’: Mustangs Blevins reacts to new restrictions, SJHL pause

Nov 26, 2020 | 1:25 PM

The Saskatchewan Government’s announcement on Wednesday saw the cancellation of a number of leisure activities until at least Dec. 17.

Included in those cancellations was hockey, which includes the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). The league will be on hold now until after the Christmas break.

Melfort Mustangs head coach and general manager Trevor Blevins said there’s mixed emotions from the organization saying he understands the need to control the spread of COVID-19, but there’s more to it.

“But I also feel that the SJHL is a big enough business, and the Melfort Mustangs are a big enough business,” he said. “That it also needs to be still going.”

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Blevins pointed to the revenue streams the team has including corporate sponsorships, and season tickets. He also mentioned the economic spin off for local hotels, restaurants, and more.

“We’re different than minor hockey, and I hate to say, but we’re different than senior teams,” Blevins told northeastNOW. “But that’s reality, it’s a big business.”

He said all teams in the SJHL could be considered million dollar businesses. Blevins added if it’s a ‘code red situation,’ then there is a social responsibility to shut things down.

“Parts of the economy are still going,” Blevins said. “And if that’s the case, then we should still be going. That’s my opinion, and I think it’s a valid one.”

Blevins also pointed to the players on the teams in the SJHL, with over 300 of them on the 12 teams. He said players are trying to set themselves up for the future with scholarships on the line and trying to further their career.

Earlier in the week, the Saskatchewan Health Authority released numbers on where transmission was happening and it said 25 per cent was taking place at recreation events, or recreational facilities. Included in those facilities were places like bingo halls, casinos, and ice rinks. It didn’t mention whether the SJHL had any transmission related to any games.

Wednesday’s announcement had all types of leisure activities lumped together including recreational and minor hockey.

Blevins said he believes there wasn’t enough research done into whether cancelling something like the SJHL was the right move.

“I just don’t feel that we were given a fair shake being lumped into where we were, as far as leisure activities and recreation,” he said.

The SJHL began play on Nov. 6 with 150 fans in attendance, and in Melfort, fans entered through certain doors, and were spread out by six feet or more in the arena. Blevins compared going to an SJHL game to having bigger stores, and places like casinos remaining open. He said everyone was doing their part to make sure the league could continue playing.

“It’s a much safer environment than say, any of those, for sure,” _{-Mustangs head coach and GM Trevor Blevins}

Blevins added even if they were told to limit the gathering and have less than 150 people, they would’ve adjusted to make sure they could still play.

As for what’s next, the Mustangs will be headed home and Blevins said the players will have to do their best to remain in shape. He said workouts will be set up with help from the team trainers and hopefully the players find some sort of ice time, even if it’s an outdoor rink.

The league hopes to resume play after the Christmas break, and Blevins said he hopes cases trend down to make sure they’re able to play, and do so successfully.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6