(Menace Warm-Up 2019)
With the OJHL season officially cancelled, it means we will go a few more months without seeing the Milton Menace play.
The decision came after the Province of Ontario announced a 28-day Stay-at-Home order. With the official 2020-2021 Hockey Canada season ending on May 31st, the league declared an end to its OJHL season.
The league had been planning for a return to play, with previous plans having the season start time in October or November 2020. Unfortunately, the second and third waves of COVID-19 in Ontario impacted the potential season.
President of the Menace, Jason Tryfon, shares his thoughts on the season cancellation.
He adds that he was excited to see what the team could do in its second ever season.
Now, he’s looking ahead to what he’s calling ‘Year Three’.
He holds his players on the Menace in high regard, highlighting their developing goalie group, as well as newer acquisitions in forward Andrew Horsley and right defenceman Patrick Klazer.
Overagers across the league will not be returning next season, meaning they missed out on their final year of OJHL hockey. Tryfon says that it’s unfortunate but he knows a lot of those players will have opportunities elsewhere.
He notes that Menace General Manager Dan Del Monte will likely be very active when the trade window opens back up in June. His plan right now is contending for hardware in 2021-2022, should the season get off the ground smoothly.
In the press release that announced the OJHL cancelling its season, it was mentioned that once the current Stay-at-Home orders are lifted, teams which are permitted to play will be allowed to conduct exhibition play together with the continued approval process the league has implemented along with its strict COVID-19 operating protocols. Milton and Halton are currently being hit hard by the third wave, so it’s unlikely that the Menace will be playing any time soon. However, Tryfon says that if/when the Menace can get on the ice for exhibition play, they will work hard to find ways to broadcast the games. That will allow for local hockey fans to follow their team.
Tryfon thanks the Milton community for continuing to support the team, and hopes to see the fans in attendance at the Milton Memorial Arena soon.
