Skip to main content

Lone U.S. team in B.C.-based hockey league can't find enough vaccinated players

Hockey generic
Share
SPOKANE, Wash. -

The lone American team in a junior B hockey league based in British Columbia is pulling out of the upcoming season because it can't find enough players vaccinated against COVID-19 to fill its roster.

Kootenay International Junior Hockey League announced last week that the Spokane Braves will not participate in its 2022-23 season.

Commissioner Jeff Dubois said in a statement that the Braves found it challenging to fill a roster “despite their best efforts,” and will miss what would have been the franchise's 50th anniversary season.

Dubois said the Braves will be welcomed to rejoin the league when able to do so.

Canadian COVID-19 protocols require visitors to be fully vaccinated in order to enter the country. Canadian players on the league's 19 B.C.-based teams would also have to be vaccinated to enter the United States for road games in Spokane.

The league said it will go on with 19 teams this season, and teams that were scheduled to face the Braves will make up those games against other opponents.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 8, 2022.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

BUDGET 2024

BUDGET 2024 Feds cutting 5,000 public service jobs, looking to turn underused buildings into housing

Five thousand public service jobs will be cut over the next four years, while underused federal office buildings, Canada Post properties and the National Defence Medical Centre in Ottawa could be turned into new housing units, as the federal government looks to find billions of dollars in savings and boost the country's housing portfolio.

'I Google': Why phonebooks are becoming obsolete

Phonebooks have been in circulation since the 19th century. These days, in this high-tech digital world, if someone needs a phone number, 'I Google,' said Bridgewater, N.S. resident Wayne Desouza.

Stay Connected