Lisa MacLeod, Ontario’s minister of sport, confirmed on Friday afternoon that the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) will not have bodychecking this coming season.

According to Sportsnet, Macleod said that removing purposeful physical contact from the game was a necessary step to preventing the spread of COVID-19.

MacLeod said the decision was influenced by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, which had several COVID-19 outbreaks on its teams earlier this fall.

The OHL announced on Thursday that February 4 will be the new start date for the 2020-21 season. Training camps will begin on January 23rd. The season will be shortened to 40 games. European and American players will arrive by January 8 to quarantine and begin preparations for the season.

It will be interesting to see how the OHL implements and regulates the ruling.

[UPDATE] 4:25 PM
Darren Dreger is reporting that his sources believe no decision has been formally made at this point.

Sources say there has been no official decision on removing bodychecking from the OHL. There has been a number of discussions between the league and the provincial government. Talks and negotiations are ongoing.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 30, 2020

[UPDATE] 4:40 PM
Lisa MacLeod, Ontario’s minister of sport, responded to Dreger’s tweet.

This is not correct. While we are working with the league on a safe return to play we are not “negotiating” on public safety measures prescribed by the Health Table. https://t.co/79URfJTYpa

— Lisa MacLeod (@MacLeodLisa) October 30, 2020

[UPDATE] 5:20 PM
Lisa MacLeod issued her own statement on Twitter:

Our public health officials have been clear – prolonged or deliberate contact while playing sports is not permitted. We will continue to work with @OHLHockey on a safe return to play. https://t.co/GO4BitTa0K pic.twitter.com/gKcnFDXHMh

— Lisa MacLeod (@MacLeodLisa) October 30, 2020

[UPDATE] Saturday, 8:15 PM
The Ontario Premier weighed in.

We are engaging with the @OHLHockey to create a safe return to play plan, which will need to be approved by health experts. To date no decisions have been made. I would like to see the OHL return as normal as possible with body checking.

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) November 1, 2020

So…..stay tuned.

By Jon Sorensen