Premier John Horgan has confirmed that NHL games will be allowed to be played in British Columbia when the season starts on January 13.
Horgan took to social media to verify that, based on the enhanced health measures the NHL plans to put in place, professional hockey can return to the province.
After speaking with @fr_aquilini yesterday about the NHL’s return-to-play plan, I’m pleased to confirm the enhanced health measures being put in place for the upcoming season mean games can safely be played here in BC.
Lets go @Canucks!
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) January 3, 2021
After days of uncertainty over whether the BC government would allow NHL teams to enter the province, the NHL announced on December 24 that it had met the conditions laid out by Provincial Health Authorities.
The decision allows the for the Canucks to play home games at Rogers Arena for the first time since March, although fans will not be in attendance.
The 56-game regular season begins on January 13. The Canucks will play all their games within the newly-formed North Division, which includes the other six Canadian NHL teams.
The Canucks started training camp today, and will begin the season with back-to-back games against the Edmonton Oilers on January 13 and 14.
Their first home game will be played on January 20 when they face the Montreal Canadiens.