QMJHL reduces schedule by four games

Michael Hawkins/Saint John Sea Dogs

After many years of consideration and discussion, the QMJHL has finally made the decision to reduce its schedule by four games.

Beginning next season, QMJHL teams will play 64 games rather than 68, meaning two fewer games at home and away. The league has essentially been talking about reducing its schedule since 2008 — the last time the schedule was reduced. The league went from 70 games to 68 for the 2008-09 season.

“This change is in line with our desire to optimize our players’ development both on and off the ice including in school, at games and practices, during travel and rest," QMJHL commissioner Mario Cecchini said in a news release. "We see this as another step in the right direction.”

The move will likely reduce the amount of Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday games teams play. Stephane Leroux of RDS confirmed that Maritime and Quebec teams will continue to play each twice during the regular season.

The schedule reduction has long been debated and, presumably, has always come down to money. Teams make much of their money from ticket sales, and removing two home games isn't a small thing. But on the flip side, expenses are high, and travelling to a road game or hosting a home game isn't cheap.

Like the move or not, getting this reduction across the finish line is another big move by Cecchini, who has really begun to put his stamp on the league.

Personally, I am a big fan of this and wouldn't hate it if the league cut even more games. There are simply too many meaningless games. I know people don't like that terminology, but playing a team you'll see seven other times on a random Tuesday night in October in front of 1,000 people just doesn't excite me. The rivalries aren't what they used to be. Where are the big time NHL prospects? The playoff race(s) is/are rarely intriguing. Like... what are we doing here? The QMJHL and CHL need to find ways to add meaning (and intensity) into more games.