OHL Commissioner David Branch announces official cancellation of 2020 regular season, with possibility of a post season pending

 

After meeting with the league's board of Governor's and consulting with medical professionals, Ontario Hockey League commissioner David Branch announced the conclusion of the 2019-20 regular season, leaving open the possibility of a post season

 

“In the interest of the safety of our players, officials, staff, fans, and the general public, it's been agreed that the cancellation of the remainder of the 2019-20 regular season is the proper course of action to take at this time,” Branch said in a press release from the league Wednesday afternoon. 

 

“We are continuing to monitor ongoing public health developments  regarding COVID-19. When it is safe and we may resume play, we will advise on the status of the 2020 OHL playoffs. We thank OHL players and their families, fans and partners for their continued patience and understanding throughout this challenging situation.”

 

The Spirit (41-16-3-2 record) finished with the third best record in the league (behind Ottawa and London) and second in the western conference (London) while clinching the second consecutive west division championship in as many years (third in franchise history). 

 

The league has also confirmed that the 2020 OHL priority selection draft will continue as scheduled with an online draft set for Saturday April 4, at 9 am. 

 

Saginaw had earned a total of 87-points in the final standings, however, with some teams not having played as many games as others and in order to come up with a fair draft order for the 2020 OHL priority selection draft, the league decided to base the final overall standings on a 61-game schedule, leaving the Spirit with the No. 18 pick (out of 20) in the upcoming priority selection draft. 

 

 

Final OHL regular season standings are based off each OHL team having played an equal number of regular season games (61 games)

NON-PLAYOFF TEAMS:
1. North Bay Battalion – 38 pts.
2. Niagara IceDogs – 42 pts.*
3. Sarnia Sting – 48 pts.
4. Soo Greyhounds – 56 pts.

PLAYOFF TEAMS:
5. Kingston Frontenacs – 42 pts.*
6. Hamilton Bulldogs – 56 pts.
7. Mississauga Steelheads – 59 pts.
8. Erie Otters – 61 pts.
9. Barrie Colts 62 pts.
10. Owen Sound Attack – 68 pts.**
11. Sudbury Wolves – 68 pts.**
12. Guelph Storm – 72 pts.
13. Oshawa Generals – 73 pts.
14. Windsor Spitfires – 76 pts.***
15. Peterborough Petes – 76 pts.***
16. Flint Firebirds – 80 pts.
17. Kitchener Rangers – 83 pts.
18. Saginaw Spirit – 85 pts.
19. London Knights – 90 pts.
20. Ottawa 67’s – 99 pts.