More Questions Than Answers, but Still Room for Surprises

Even though the numbers are down there’s still room for surprises at QMJHL Training Camps.

Obviously everyone is patiently waiting for training camp rosters to be released, however for the time being there are no guarantees especially when it comes to twenty year olds.

Some teams may even elect to release or try to trade 19 yr old role players before the training camp rosters are officially announced allowing teams to invite young prospects and potentially high profile impact free agents rather than protecting them on their 34 man training camp roster.

Time will certainly tell what direction teams will take, nevertheless, it’s interesting that the CHL haven’t announced the potential overage rule change for the upcoming season as if yet.

The American Hockey League’s announcement and subsequent start date of December 4th could potentially throw a massive curve ball at the CHL’s intensions.

Late last week longtime QMJHL Commissioner Gilles Courteau confirmed that the QMJHL did ask the CHL to potentially amend the rule to allow a fourth overager.

One would think teams could be allowed to submit a few extra names to their 34 man training camp roster if news came down that an extra twenty was allowed to play this season.

The 34 man roster could realistically move to 40 if the league decided to move in that direction.

Perhaps QMJHL team officials already know something we don’t with regards to the rule change and the possibility of adding a critical fourth overager to their rosters.

The waiting game continues.

What about the OHL and WHL?

How will that affect the start of the QMJHL season?

Obviously teams have already started planning quarantine procedures or have some players already in quarantine ahead of the proposed late August training camps and October 1st start date. With all governments approving the QMJHL parameters regarding the start of the season, the CHL may rule that every league start their seasons at the same time, but that remains to be seen.

There are more questions than answers right now when it comes to the start of the 2020-2021 season, but there’s still room for some major surprises.