The Prince Albert Northern Bears are hoping to host the 2021 Esso Cup this year. File photo/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D’Andrea

National championship

Despite COVID-19 restrictions extended in the province, Esso Cup is still considered a go

Jan 27, 2021 | 4:11 PM

The Esso Cup, Canada’s U18 Women’s Club Championship was supposed to be held last year in Prince Albert, but because of the pandemic, it was cancelled 38 days before and delayed to this year.

But even with that change, the 2021 Esso Cup still isn’t a sure thing.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority announced on Tuesday they would extend all restrictions until Feb. 19, meaning all hockey games will continue to be postponed. Hockey games have not been permitted in the province since the end of November.

As the restrictions continue to be extended, plans are still in place to host the 2021 Esso Cup in Prince Albert this year. Host committee co-chair Robin Wildey said the tournament is considered a go until they get a phone call from Hockey Canada, who ultimately runs the event, cancelling the tournament.

“We are still planning for an event here in P.A.,” host committee co-chair Robin Wildey said. “Hockey Canada is working on how we can provide a safe environment into P.A. with all the restrictions. They’re doing a hard look at their spring championships as well, to see what the pros and cons are with having a national championship. But they are still in contact with us.”

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The Esso Cup is normally played in late April, but Wildey said this year’s tournament could be pushed back to May if need be. He also added there isn’t a point of no return, meaning there isn’t a set deadline where everything will be cancelled.

“With this kind of a pandemic, we don’t really have a drop-dead date, per se, or a drop program date. We ran until about 38 days before the event started last year,” Wildey said. “The decision is up to Hockey Canada, and whenever they make that choice, we will accept it because we know safety is first. All the participants and fans need to be safe.”

With the Esso Cup being a national championship and not an invitational or open tournament, teams that attend it need to earn their spots there. The Esso Cup is a six-team tournament, with the hosting club earning an automatic spot. The other five spots are awarded to teams who win their league or regional championship to qualify.

It’s typically a lengthy process with many games going on throughout the country to decide on which final six teams can ultimately compete for Esso Cup glory.

But with the pandemic putting a wrench into the gears, Wildey said the tournament committee Hockey Canada has is looking at “any and all possible play-in formats” to ensure teams can still win their ways to the tournament.

As for the tournament itself, Wildey said that holding it in a bubble has not been seriously considered due to the large price tag associated with it.

“As for a bubble situation, that hasn’t really been brought up because of the cost,” Wildey said. “It would be pretty expensive for the bubble. We would make sure that all our participants would be safe and healthy, in the best possible, controlled way.”

The Esso Cup was originally awarded to Prince Albert in 2020 and to Lloydminster in 2021. But when the pandemic reared its head just over a month before the tournament, the 2020 tournament was cancelled. Prince Albert was then awarded the 2021 championship and Lloydminster with the 2022 tournament.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow