The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:
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The Western Hockey League says it has approval from the Saskatchewan government to play a 24-game East Division season in a hub in Regina starting next month.
Three of the major junior league’s four divisions have now been cleared to start play during the COVID-19 pandemic, with only the B.C. Division lacking permission.
Seven teams in Manitoba and Saskatchewan the Moose Jaw Warriors, Prince Albert Raiders, Regina Pats, Saskatoon Blades, Swift Current Broncos, Brandon Wheat Kings, and Winnipeg Ice will open play at the Brandt Centre in Regina on March 12. Each team will play a 24-game season and no fans will be in attendance.
Players and staff will begin self-quarantining on Feb. 20 and will report to Regina on Feb. 27 for an additional quarantine period and testing. They must have a second negative COVID-19 test to engage in any team activity.
The WHL says it will have a weekly testing strategy during the season. If a club has one or more players or staff test positive, the club must suspend activities for a minimum of 14 days.
The Central Division, featuring five Alberta teams, is slated to begin play on Feb, 26, and the U.S. Division is set to open March 19.
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is playing in hubs in Quebec and in team arenas in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, but its three New Brunswick teams remain sidelined. The Ontario Hockey League has yet to announce plans for a season.
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Ontario has given its two American Hockey League teams the green light to play home games in the province, clearing the way for the Belleville Senators and Toronto Marlies.
Play in the five-team Canadian Division was set to begin Friday, but the league put the Senators and the Marlies on the road for all of February as it waited word from Ontario authorities.
Lisa MacLeod, Ontarios sport minister, says the two AHL teams in Ontario have proposed comparable safety measures to the NHLs Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators during the pandemic.
The AHLs Canadian Division was created for this season to avoid border restrictions. The other teams are the Laval Rocket, Manitoba Moose and Stockton (California) Heat, who have relocated for this season to Calgary, home of their NHL affiliate.
The top feeder league for the NHL hasnt released the Canadian schedule past February.
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