In order to play in any public facility they would have to have insurance. I'm sure players/parents are footing the bills along with lodging, officials etc.Wondering who is going to be paying any medical bills should they arise?
Is that an American thing? I've never been asked for proof of insurance to use a public facility.In order to play in any public facility they would have to have insurance. I'm sure players/parents are footing the bills along with lodging, officials etc.
The OHL looks even worse now that the players found a way to make a bubble to showcase their talent. Parents and players will even have to cover expenses to showcase their kid because the league failed them.
If I was the new President I would announce immediately that the league will restart early September 2021 even if they have to start in a bubble. Whatever the cost. Give something real to its players now before its too late...
Just for some background. The president of the group that runs the facility was the billet for McDavid during his stay here. Maybe he put a call asking for a favor.The article in THW has been updated with answers to most of the questions posed in this thread.
Here’s a quick cut and paste:
-This showcase is entirely a non-profit event funded by both charitable organizations and people from around the country.
-If there’s any money left, it will be given back to the Erie community in some way.
-According to Hoffmann, all legal/medical is good to go for the players who participate.
This showcase is completely separate from the OHL.
-Former NHL players and scouts will be at this showcase.
-Vendors will be there too including CCM so players will have a chance to interact with them.
-As of Saturday afternoon, the number of players confirmed to be in Erie stands at over 125. This includes 77-79 forwards, 31-34 defensemen and 12 goalies. That number is expected to go up.
-The website for this showcase will go live on Monday.
-This showcase will be streamed in some form, although final details are still being worked out.
https://thehockeywriters.com/erie-hosting-major-junior-hockey-showcase/
Just for some background. The president of the group that runs the facility was the billet for McDavid during his stay here. Maybe he put a call asking for a favor.
Also, the facility is located right off Interstate 90 south of Erie and there are plenty of hotels nearby. There's also a dormitory nearby that just hosted over 100 migrant children for a few days. So, there's no shortage of rooms where the players can quarantine while not practicing or playing.
That's all very good information.
The only concern that may be raised is how will they enforce over 100 players following COVID protocol. For me I don't see it being an issue as they are all dying to play, but you still need to be sure. All of the Ontario-born players have been in lockdown for a month. It's not sanctioned with the OHL at all, so there can't be any consequences from the league next season if someone were to break the protocol set in.
Once again, I can't see it being an issue, but people are going to want to see that there's a firm plan to make sure this doesn't happen.
This is why I have been saying that I don't believe the OHL tried hard enough to make this happen. The government told the OHL back in the fall that the only way they can play a normal season is in a bubble. But the OHL and many OHL teams stated in the media that they couldn't afford to play in a bubble. Then finally in April the OHL agreed to play in a bubble but by then it was too late. Had they agreed to play in a bubble in the fall, the OHL would have had a season.
I’m not trying to put words in the mouths of the players organizing the showcase, but I get the sense that they are looking to say “Yes” more than “No” to those who are desperate for an opportunity to show what they’ve got.Is this showcase also for Europe players?
Realistically, how much weight would a two week showcase of guys that probably aren’t on the NHL’s radar really have? Would it not be better for a player to focus on having a great ohl season next year than risk injury now, or maybe risking having a bad tourney and hence a bad look since a lot of these guys haven’t played meaningful hockey in over a year???
A bubble was not required as evidenced by other leagues operatong. The alternate requirements combined with the restrictions was something the league was unable to accept.
1 - if players were to live in billet situations, they had to be sequestered to their rooms with the exception of meals and washroom time.
2 - body contact was prohibited
3 - social distancing was to be enforced including multiple dressing rooms and non-interchangable cohorts
There were probably other things included that would have severely restricted the OHL from operating as a development league. As such, the costs associated would have needed to be completely underwritten by the Province. I believe the Province was prepared to do so.
Alternatively, they could have had a bubble but as you suggest, that cost is more prohibitive for a 6 month season so having a reduced schedule would have made sense.
Somewhere in all of that were owners not on the same page and a Commissioner unable to get them on the same page. The mandate of the league was discarded and with it the players development.
This League needs to find a way forward but it needs to start with owners on the same page. Unfortunately, that is far more difficult than can take place over the course of a summer.
I wish them luck. They'll need it.
Has the site launched for the showcase yet? Haven’t seen anything.
In September we had 150 covid cases per day and it was deemed too dangerous to play. Does that mean OHL will only start in 2024 when we have -10 cases per day ??? Think about it now how ridiculous it was to postpone the season for so few cases..