The Olds Grizzlys were frozen out of play this weekend after a positive COVID-19 test in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
In a statement, the league said that a member of the Canmore Eagles had tested positive and the league schedule will be adjusted.
The Grizzlys were set to play a home-and-home with the Drumheller Dragons, Friday night in Drumheller and Saturday in Olds. Olds will honour tickets purchased for the Saturday game when the Dragons return to town on Jan. 22.
Olds has not played Canmore this season, but the Dragons faced off in a pair of games against the Eagles on opening weekend, Nov. 13 and 14, hence the cancellation.
Thursday, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw said the Junior A league is following strict protocols set out by Alberta Health Services in order to be able to play.
“I want to emphasis something that is a misunderstanding, those individuals on those teams should absolutely not be socializing together, outside of their play,” Hinshaw said.
“The cohort in a sports group allows them to play the game together, they should not be having any close contact that can be avoided in the dressing room, in off ice time or social settings. That should stop, so it’s really only that gameplay under those strict restrictions.”