Chirico very cautious about Battalion return to the ice

Dr. Jim Chirico is taking a very cautious approach when it comes to the potential return to OHL hockey in North Bay.  

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit's Chief Medical Officer of Health talked about the Ontario Hockey League situation during Thursday's online weekly media conference.  

"We certainly all love hockey in North Bay and surrounding areas and would want it to come back as soon as we possibly can but again currently we are looking at a situation that is very concerning with regards to potentially increasing number of cases throughout the province so I think it is really premature to speculate on when they will actually be able to do that," stated Chirico. 

"We have to keep a close eye on the whole situation in the surrounding districts and the province to be able to come to a point where we can actually make a recommendation. If that happens we can get into a less restrictive zone but currently, we are not there yet." 

See related: Battalion welcome new OHL scholarship funding from the province

The Ontario Hockey League and the province has been working with the provincial government and appear close to announcing a shortened season potentially starting in April.  

Earlier this week the province announced a one time $2.35 million dollar fund to assist the league with its post secondary scholarship programs. 

Adam Dennis, believes that news was a positive step toward finally starting up.  

"We have waited quite a long time now, and we are okay to wait another week or so if that is what it takes to get some answers but obviously the main focus of our staff and our players is to get back and playing safely and giving these players an outlet for more than anything to do what they have worked so hard to do to give them that opportunity but it is out of our hands," said Dennis.  

"We are sitting here waiting patiently and preparing as best we can and when we get some news we will be ready. but until then we are sitting in a holding pattern." 

The OHL is believed to be looking at creating four hub cities for the team's to play in. However, it would be expected that all the OHL team's would gather for a short training camp at each team's respective home arena prior to the start of an anticipated 20 to 24 game season.  

The challenge for the Battalion is that Memorial Gardens is currently being utilized as a vaccination centre and all the other rinks in the city and the area have had their ice surfaces removed. 

The Battalion has not played an OHL game or held any form of practice sessions as a team at their home rink since March of 2020.