With more and more of the hockey season slipping away, at least one junior A team in B.C. is pleading with public health officials for a chance to play.

Junior hockey is on hold as current COVID-19 health and safety guidelines prevent adults from practising and playing games. The B.C. Hockey League recently announced that it , and is investigating the option of , possibly Penticton.

In the meantime, the Nanaimo Clippers are appealing to politicians and public health officials to reconsider or adjust guidelines to accommodate junior hockey.

Clippers owner Wes Mussio pointed to the team91裸聊视频檚 18-game exhibition season this past fall, which he said was safe and socially distanced and resulted in no COVID-19 exposure.

91裸聊视频淵et Dr. Bonnie Henry decided to shut us down on no evidence or science,91裸聊视频� Mussio said in a press release. 91裸聊视频淪imply put, this decision is hard to understand.91裸聊视频�

He added that players91裸聊视频� aspirations of moving on to college and pro hockey are being 91裸聊视频渟everely compromised91裸聊视频� and that the outlook is bleak for players in their final year of junior eligibility.

91裸聊视频淚 doubt anyone can argue, in good conscience, that destroying careers of young [athletes] is perfectly acceptable for the greater good,91裸聊视频� Mussio said.

Darren Naylor, coach and general manager of the Clippers, agreed that the 91裸聊视频渓ockdowns91裸聊视频� on sports are 91裸聊视频渃atastrophic91裸聊视频� to athletes. He said junior hockey shouldn91裸聊视频檛 have the same pandemic restrictions as men91裸聊视频檚 league hockey, for example.

91裸聊视频淲e are a very professional, high-level training program where the players act like pros and do not run around going to parties and bars socializing,91裸聊视频� Naylor said in the release. 91裸聊视频淭hey91裸聊视频檙e very committed and realize minimizing exposure to the public is the safest way to ensure a season.91裸聊视频�

The Clippers shared copies of letters sent by No. 1 goalie Jordan Naylor and veteran defenceman Trevor LeDonne to Nanaimo MLA Sheila Malcolmson, pleading for her help in asking for reconsideration of the provincial health order banning adults from team sport participation.

91裸聊视频淲ithout being able to practise or compete and prove myself deserving of a scholarship, I feel my dream slipping away,91裸聊视频� Jordan Naylor wrote. 91裸聊视频淎s a 20-year-old, I have no more time. It91裸聊视频檚 now or never for me.91裸聊视频�

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Mussio also wrote to Malcolmson requesting her support in reconsideration of that particular public health order, as well as asking for financial support from the province. He said in the release that the hockey club is losing 91裸聊视频渉undreds of thousands of dollars this year91裸聊视频� and predicts junior A hockey franchises will fold in 2021.

He added that smaller communities like Nanaimo are harmed without the 91裸聊视频渏oy91裸聊视频� that hockey games bring.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e heard from many hockey fans that coming to a Clippers game is the highlight of their week and without hockey, their mental health is declining,91裸聊视频� Mussio said. 91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 blame them because this is our national sport and not being able to enjoy it is a tremendous sacrifice.91裸聊视频�

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