Vaccination policy adopted by OJHL, PJHL

Local junior hockey teams will be playing under league-mandated vaccination requirements against COVID-19 for the coming 2021-22 season.

The vaccination mandate announced by three junior hockey leagues — Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), the Provincial Junior Hockey League (PJHL) and the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) — late last week means all players, coaches, trainers, team staff, league officials, volunteers and billet families must be double vaccinated against COVID-19.

The policy, according to the announcement, is fully intended to protect the health and safety of all NOJHL, OJHL and PJHL players and members and to protect against the potential transmission of the virus.

The policy will comply with the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) (or applicable State and US Federal legislation) and offer support to any league member who is unable to be vaccinated for substantiated medical reasons and/or on grounds protected under the OHRC. The leagues will collectively work together with independent medical and legal advisors appointed by the league commissioners to assist with all issues.

The vaccination mandate by the junior hockey leagues followed in the footsteps of the Ontario Hockey League, which announced last Tuesday, Aug. 24 that all players, coaches, trainers, team and league staff, volunteers and billet families must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

John McDonald, Director of Operations with the Trenton Golden Hawks of the OJHL, said he agrees with the league’s vaccination policy, which will allow the league to begin regular-season play after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If it’s going to let people get back into the rink, I’m all for it,” said McDonald who’s served as the director of operations with the Golden Hawks for more than eight years. “I want to protect my players, protect my staff and let’s get back to normal. That’s what it’s all about.”

As for the fans, McDonald said the City of Quinte West, in consultation with the local health unit, will have to draft a policy for fans to attend the games as the team plays its games in a city-owned facility.

“I think you see the way the Toronto Maple Leafs are going, the Argos, Toronto FC — everybody is going (in the direction) that they want proof of vaccination when you come to the games. I can’t mandate that because this rink is owned by the City of Quinte West. So, that’s going to be up to them on how they do it and we will comply,” he said.

McDonald said of the 120 or so players that have attended the Golden Hawks’ training camp thus far, only three players weren’t double vaccinated. These players were required to follow protocols before the camp session, including temperature checks, in place to guard against the spread of the virus.

Frank Robinson, Director of Hockey Operations with the PJHL junior ‘C’ Frankford Huskies, also expects the vast majority of his players, along with team staff and volunteers, will comply with the league’s mandated double-vaccination policy against COVID-19.

“It is an absolute necessity to have a vaccine policy where everyone needs to be double vaxxed. It’s the only way that I think we can be successful. Our only question now is about the fans. The rules haven’t been determined yet,” said Robinson.

Robinson, like McDonald, said it will be up to the City of Quinte West and the local health unit to establish a policy regarding fans attending league games.

“I think they are going to impose capacity limits, and they’re going to impose if you’re not double vaxxed, what they’re going to do if you’re not double vaxxed,” said Robinson.

Both teams are currently conducting training camps, with the exhibition season starting shortly.