QMJHL teams are bracing for a few hectic weeks leading up to the start of training camps in August.
It’s exciting to think of the prospects of getting back on the ice, but one could only imagine what hockey staff, team executives and front office staff are going through with regards to logistics for the up coming weeks.
The QMJHL has done a fantastic job at being transparent and ultra professional throughout the cancellation, Draft and off season.
GM’s and their scouting staff are no doubt frantically scrambling to name and project their 34 man Training Camp rosters.
What’s that going to mean to undrafted or US born free agent invites?
Another pressing question revolves around quarantine.
Teams across the league are probably getting very creative when it comes to quarantine procedures.
Now don’t get me wrong there’s no loop hole here, all players will have to follow strict quarantine procedures laid out by the provincial and federal governments.
Obviously for Atlantic Canadian kids reporting to franchises based inside the Atlantic bubble poses no issue and they can probably report directly to their previous billet families or new billet families.
Billet families, that’s where this gets really complex and potentially very costly for the organizations.
One can only speculate here, but organizations will no doubt place imports, US born players and Quebec born players all together during their mandated 14 day quarantine period.
They may even elect to create a bubble with the quarantine and separate those three categories within the isolation phase.
Can you imagine feeding multiple QMJHL players for 14 days, plus their accommodations.
Teams will no doubt have to have weights and other gym equipment to ensure players stay in shape as well.
If you want to know how much they eat just ask billet families!
Oh yeah kids will be kids right?
Someone from the organization will undoubtedly be assigned/hired to monitor or reinforce curfew and quarantine.
What about the cost for testing players prior to reporting or travelling?
Would certain owners or organizations charter private flights over seas to ensure players don’t come into contact with the virus in airports or on commercial flights?
It’s unclear how creative certain QMJHL franchises will be during the upcoming weeks leading up to the beginning of Training Camp.
For players and fans alike it’s a dream come true to see the game return, however for the next few weeks until things get settled down GM’s, scouting staff members and front office staff we be confronted with a potential logistical nightmare.
The game that we all love is coming back, which is truly outstanding, but the health and safety of everyone involved will definitely be every organizations top priority.
QMJHL Training Camps are scheduled to begin in mid August.
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