There is, once again, no junior hockey to watch in NB this weekend

Another week has gone by with no official word on when or how Quebec Major Junior Hockey League games could resume for the three New Brunswick based clubs.

All three zones that are home to QMJHL teams - Saint John, Moncton and Bathurst - remain in the orange phase, which only allows teams to practice. It's believed the league is working with the province to try and find a solution for games to resume, but nothing has been made official yet.

Sunday will mark three months since the Wildcats last played a game. The Sea Dogs have not played since Nov. 18.

There was a bit of good news this week. New Brunswick health officials seemed much more optimistic about the province potentially getting back into the yellow phase in the somewhat near future.

Health Zones must remain in the Orange level for "at least 2-3 weeks" before we can consider a move to Yellow, says Health Minister Shephard.

"The situation is still precarious," she says. Yellow guidelines are being looked at & could change.

— Julia Wright (@thewrightpage) February 11, 2021

The QMJHL's two Nova Scotia teams and the Charlottetown Islanders have resumed play - with fans in attendance - and have had no incidents so far. In Quebec, another round of protected environments are off and running and the league announced Friday the three locations for the fifth round of pods, which will take place Feb. 27 to March 7.

The good news in the WHL continued this week. Regina will be a hub city for the league's Manitoba and Saskatchewan based clubs. The seven teams will begin play on March 12.

Three of the WHL's four divisions are now approved to resume play. The Central Division (Alberta clubs) will begin on Feb. 26; the East Division on March 12 (Saskatchewan and Manitoba); and the US Division on March 19. That leaves only the BC Division waiting on approval.

The OHL appears closer than ever to a return.

Sources: The OHL sent a memo to teams today with plans for restart:
- 24-game season
- Four hub cities
- March quarantines at home before arriving in host city
- April 2-4 weekend target for start to season
- Government mandated quarantines for imports

*Subject to gov. approval

— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) February 10, 2021 

The league issued a news release on Thursday, saying no return to play plan has been approved/confirmed yet.

The chances of a Memorial Cup tournament being held this year continue to look slim, but the positive news out of the WHL and OHL offer at least a small glimmer of hope.