STEPHEN RICCIO
PONTIAC Sept. 9, 2020
The Pontiac Comets will not be hitting the ice for regular season games this fall, head coach Danick Boisvert announced on Sept. 9.
Boisvert released a press release with an explanation of where the team stands in the midst of the pandemic, explaining why . . .
the senior hockey AA teams in the Outaouais and the Laurentians are unable to play despite the LHSAAQ, the senior AA league for Quebec, announcing that they will proceed with the 2020-2021 season.
The distance required to travel for teams in those two regions increases the travel costs. This effect on top of the fact that some facilities in the area will not allow more than 100 fans, to ensure social distancing, makes the Comets financial situation a difficult one.
“For now, the owners agree there will be a break from senior hockey in the area this year. If the situation improves and the rules change, perhaps we could consider a season that begins in early December. Everything remains to be seen.”
Provincial health regulations related to COVID-19 have made it so that events with up to 250 people are permitted, but Boisvert noted in the release that even this restriction will still mean significant losses to sponsor funding as well as merchandise, food and beverage sales.
The decision to further delay the start to the season means that the Comets break without hockey is extended far beyond normal times, as the team also had to cancel the end of their playoffs in April when the pandemic broke out.
