QMJHL extends pause until Feb. 1

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League confirmed Friday what we already knew: Saint John Sea Dogs hockey will not return in the month of January.

The QMJHL announced that its pause, which was scheduled to end next week, has been extended until Feb. 1. From the league:

With no clear timeline of COVID-19 restrictions being eased, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League today announced the postponement of its return to play plans.

Initially scheduled for a return in the week of January 17, the regular season will now resume on February 1. The league is still working on rescheduling all postponed games, with the primary objective of having all franchises play their full 68-game schedule.

The news comes as no surprise given previous reports that the league doesn't want to return to game action until all 18 clubs are allowed at least 50% capacity in their arenas. Even a Feb. 1 return seems like wishful thinking at this point - but every day is an adventure in these unprecedented times we live in. We'll wait and see how things look in a couple weeks.

Friday's QMJHL news comes just hours before New Brunswick enters level 3 of its "winter plan," which does not even allow for full team practices.

The Sea Dogs have not played since Dec. 18. They've now had 15 games postponed by this pause.

Dec. 28 vs Cape Breton

Dec. 30 at Bathurst

Dec. 31 vs Bathurst

Jan. 2 at Moncton

Jan. 4 at Halifax

Jan. 7 at Moncton

Jan. 8 vs Sherbrooke

Jan. 12 at Cape Breton

Jan. 14 vs Cape Breton

Jan. 15 at Halifax

Jan. 20 vs Quebec

Jan. 21 vs Gatineau

Jan. 25 at Moncton

Jan. 27 at Charlottetown

Jan. 29 at Cape Breton

Officially, Saint John's next scheduled game is Feb. 5 at home against the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada.

Perhaps the most noteworthy part of Friday's announcement is that the QMJHL is still committed to playing 68 games. If that's the case, the league is at a point now where the regular season will very likely have to be extended. That could impact the playoff schedule/format and perhaps even the Memorial Cup dates.

The Canadian Hockey League announced Friday that it has postponed the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, which was scheduled for Feb. 2 in Kitchener. A new date has not been determined.