EOSHL partners with western league, season still undecided

WEST CARLETON – The West Carleton Rivermen and the Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League (EOSHL) are still in limbo as owners continue to look at options for a potential season starting in the new year.

The EOSHL, a senior A hockey league that launched last season with four teams including the West Carleton Rivermen. The Rivermen came one game short of being the inaugural EOSHL champions and finished the regular season in first place. Last year’s final game came just two weeks before (March 6) the pandemic was officially declared in Canada.

During the off-season the league grew adding four new teams for a total of eight. But the COVID-19 situation was fluid, and like many sporting leagues across the country, the EOSHL delayed their regular season.

Team owners have been meeting ever since, trying to come up with a plan. As of today, there is not a firm one yet.

“The EOSHL have been patient on the status of this season,” EOSHL President and Cornwall Prowlers owner Mitch Gagne released in a statement today (Dec. 10). “All owners have met over the last couple months multiple times and have a few scenarios for the new year. We hope to bring all you fans some news early in the new year.”

But the EOSHL did have some good news to share as well. The league has added another level to the championship by joining forces with a parallel league in western Ontario.

“The EOSHL does have some fantastic news to share with everyone today,” Gagne said. “We have connected with the new Western Ontario Super Hockey League for an exciting partnership that will see each league’s winner face off in a main championship playoff series. The leagues will also have a home and home All Star Game series. We would like to wish Jamie Petrie the President of the WOSHL from Stratford, Ontario the best of luck starting their new league. The main rules will be compatible to the EOSHL. The 2021-2022 season will be a good one.”