Ripley Wolves 2020-21 hockey season cancelled

The Ripley Wolves 2020-21 senior “A” hockey season has been cancelled, due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

The Western Ontario Athletic Association (WOAA) announced Friday that the impact of COVID-19 has created a unique situation that is still evolving.

“The WOAA continues to work with its senior hockey committee and participating senior hockey teams to prepare for the return to regular competition,” states the press release from David K. Black, WOAA immediate past-president and acting chairman.

“However, the WOAA senior hockey membership held its annual meeting Sept. 24, and at that time, a motion was moved, seconded and carried: 'that collectively, as members of the WOAA senior hockey league, a decision was made that there would be NO playing season for the 2020-21 hockey season. It will be the responsibility of each member team to remit its 2020-21 insurance premium and the WOAA registration fee'.

“The WOAA senior hockey records show that the program began in 1948-49 and has run continuously for 72 hockey seasons. We are hopeful that 2021-22 will see the return of regular competition in our senior hockey league.

“We thank all our senior hockey participants, team officials, game officials, executives, league sponsors, fans, and valued volunteers, for their past and present support.”

The Ripley Wolves also thank all their players, sponsors and fans for their continued support. “Hopefully, we can come back stronger than ever next season.”