The Arena Lacrosse League announced this week that it has canceled the remainder of the 2020 season after suspending operations in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s been a long seven and a half months since we shut down the season in March,” said ALL President Paul St. John in a league press release. “We had so much optimism that with only a couple weeks left in the regular season and two weekends of playoffs that COVID-19 would have subsided and we could have returned to finish the year… As difficult as this decision has been, it goes without saying, the health and safety of our players, coaches, staff, officials, volunteers and fans is the top priority and the thought of putting anyone at risk is not an option.”
The Peterborough Timbermen had two games remaining at the time of the suspension, both at Millbrook Arena, which became their official home this season. The Timbermen finish in third place with 12 points and a 6-6 record. The team was looking forward to making a push in the playoffs after being eliminated in the first round the last three years.
“It’s a shame because I felt that we had put ourselves in a great spot to do well down the stretch,” stated team captain Steve Bourden. “We had an emotional overtime win and it felt like our team was really coming together in a way that could’ve translated to a good run for us as the season played out.”
The Timbermen had called Oshawa’s Children’s Arena home for the past two seasons before Millbrook became available. The team was averaging over 100 fans per game as they built up a good reputation in the community.
Stated Timbermen head coach and general manager Joe Sullivan, “As much as we want to continue league play, develop players and grow our game it is incumbent on us as lacrosse ambassadors and good social partners to make the proper decision. When we begin play again we are confident we will be ready for our players, fans and volunteers to have the best season ever.”
The ALL’s annual entry draft will be delayed as will the 2021 season while the Ontario government rules on return to play and body contact issues in sport. The ALL usually runs concurrently with the National Lacrosse League beginning in December. The NLL recently announced a mid-April start for their next season.
FINAL ALL STANDINGS
- Whitby Steelhawks 9-2-0 18PTS
- Paris RiverWolves 8-4-0 17 PTS
- Peterborough Timbermen 6-6-0 12PTS
- Six Nations Snipers 5-6-0 10PTS
- Catharines ShockWave 5-7-0 10PTS
- Oshawa Outlaws 5-7-0 10PTS
- Toronto Monarchs 3-9-0 6PTS
NOTES
- Timbermen players Joel Matthews and Vaughn Harris both signed contracts with the NLL’s Buffalo Bandits during the offseason, while Carter Badour signed with the New York Riptide.
- Former Timbermen defenseman Ethan Riggs, who was traded to the Six Nations Snipers midway through the 2020 season, was drafted 11th overall by the Halifax Thunderbirds.
- The Thunderbirds also hired Timbermen head coach Joe Sullivan as their Director of Scouting.
