Growlers Announce Revised Season Start Date

ST. JOHN'S, NL – The ECHL Board of Governors, in conjunction with the Professional Hockey Players’ Association, has announced that the 2020-21 Season will commence under a split-season format with the Newfoundland Growlers tentatively slated to start the 2020-21 Season on January 15th, 2021.While select ECHL member clubs will commence play on December 11th, 2020, the Newfoundland Growlers have opted to tentatively commit to the later January 15th, 2021 split-season option provided by the ECHL and Professional Hockey Players' Association. The decision comes after reviewing the current public health guidance from the Department of Health and Community Services along with Federal and Provincial travel restrictions. The Growlers will continue to monitor public health guidance and associated travel restrictions over the coming months to navigate towards a safe return to hockey at Mile One Centre. The Growlers have decided that it is in the best interests of our current Regiment Gold Season Ticket Members to issue refunds for all accounts until we have a clearer pathway to return to play. The Growlers understand that this is an unprecedented time for our sport and community and are invested in working through the challenges of COVID-19 with our Regiment Gold Members.

"While we are excited that the ECHL is providing a path forward for teams to start playing again, we have to operate within the rules currently in place to protect the health and safety of our players, staff and the people of our Province.", said Dean MacDonald, Chair of Deacon Sports and Entertainment "We will continue to work closely with Mile One Centre and the Department of Health and Community Services to get the Growlers back on home ice to defend our league championship title.”The ECHL regular season will conclude on June 6, 2021. A schedule for games from December 11, 2020 - January 14, 2021, will be announced in the near future. 

Under this split-season scenario, League standings will be based on winning percentage during the regular season. The post-season format will be based on the eligible competing teams in the regular season and will be announced at a later date. 

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