EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick – COVID-19 finally got the better of the Edmundston Blizzard season and playoffs as the team has no choice but to end its season abruptly (also see the MHL release).
The recent return to red level, combined with the increase in the number of cases and the difficult time for the Edmundston Regional Hospital which reached its limit of patients it can treat, means that it is no longer logically possible to the team to resume action.
“We have to wait for the return to the orange level for the players to be able to practice and it looks like we will not reach this phase for some time yet. Knowing that we need to be in the yellow phase to play, we cannot anticipate a comeback until the start of the playoffs on April 18,” said Blizzard president André Lebel.
“We are very disappointed to have to make such a decision,” he said. You cannot imagine the sorrow being felt by the players and the team staff at this time. We were hoping that we could regain some normalcy in order to end the season, but we realized that it was impossible to continue any further. ”
“The current situation is very worrying for the people of Edmundston and the Northwest. The great Blizzard family would like to offer their best thoughts and prayers to those who are fighting their biggest battle against the disease right now. We also offer our condolences to those who have suffered the loss of loved ones. ”
André Lebel wants the vaccination campaign to intensify in the Northwest and that everyone can focus on a full season next fall. “I want to thank the league and the 11 other teams who understand our heartbreaking situation. They know we’ll be back stronger than ever next fall. In the meantime, I invite people to continue to follow the activities of the league, especially the playoffs. ”
“We cannot repeat enough how grateful we are towards the players and team staff for showing such great resilience throughout this yo-yo season. The management team and team shareholders also wish to extend their warmest thanks to the biological and billet families, loyal fans, volunteers, sponsors and partners. The season has been difficult, of course, but all the upheavals have shown us beautiful gestures of solidarity and how much nothing should be taken for granted in life and the importance of protecting ourselves collectively. ”
Blizzard management will be reaching out to season ticket holders shortly to explain the procedures for unused tickets.
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Contact: Hugues Chiasson, Edmundston Blizzard vice-president communications; (506) 740-0623 – cell phone