All Quebec Major Junior Hockey League players will have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the puck drops this season.
The new vaccination policy will also apply to QMJHL staff who are in contact with players on a day-to-day basis and all billet families.
Karl Jahnke, chief marketing officer for the league, said the goal is to avoid any COVID-related game cancellations like they experienced last season.
“We had a rough season last year, and I think as progression was going on with the vaccines and our discussions with public health, it became apparent that in order for us to have a normal season in 2021-22, we need double vaccinations,” Jahnke said in a recent interview.
The Quebec-based league, which also has teams in the Maritimes, is not the only Canadian hockey league to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for players.
The Ontario Hockey League has implemented a similar policy for its “Community Members” which includes players, staff, and billet families, among others.
Jahnke said they communicated the new guidelines to the teams in June and, so far, have not received any pushback.
“I think everybody realizes that it’s important that we want to keep the players and everybody involved safe,” said Jahnke, noting that he is not aware of any instances where players or staff members who are not fully vaccinated and will not be able to participate.
Jahnke said all 18 teams and the league as a whole are looking forward to a full 612-game season this year.
“We want to get this thing going,” he said. “Get back to normal, have fans in the building, play some hockey games.”
The league’s pre-season schedule begins on Aug. 19.
