The National Roller Hockey League is disappointed to announce that the 2020 season will be postponed to May 2021, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Training camps were scheduled to open May 11, with the opening night of the regular season May 22, 2020.
The NRHL released a statement on March 13 expressing that the League was proceeding toward the 2020 season. The NRHL firmly made all necessary operational adjustments to proceed to May 2020, however due to the rapid development of the COVID-19 pandemic, our first priority has been how to best proceed with the safety and health of our players, fans, staff members, and community.
The most recent developments since our statement released March 13 have drastically changed our opportunities to continue, along with ensuring a solid foundation toward growing a prosperous and strong league.
There have been many changes globally in which have affected the promise of a successful season, and we have been very closely observing the moves of other major sports leagues and events. As the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2020 Kentucky Derby have been postponed, along with the NHL and NBA not yet announcing a return date for their respective seasons, the NRHL decided that these actions, along with the directives placed by the Federal government and many states, we cannot move forward with kicking off our 2020 season.
Statement from Bob Clouston (Co-Founder/Commissioner) and Matt Wiedenhoeft (Co-Founder/President):
“We have dedicated our lives to the NRHL for the last 5.5 years and there was nothing more that we wanted than to be on the floor for the May 22nd puck drop in Detroit. However, our number one responsibility is to keep everybody safe and healthy and at this point, we cannot continue with the 2020 season without knowing when the COVID-19 pandemic will allow us to return to our regular existence. We assure you that we will be on the floor for the 2021 season, that we will take this year to make the NRHL bigger and better than it is today, and that we will continue to dedicate our lives to this organization, our players, staff members, and the roller hockey community.”
The NRHL ownership, staff, facilities, and sponsors are united in our commitment in certifying the sustainability, longevity, and growth of the NRHL. We are united in embracing the change with unshakeable resolve.
The global pandemic has led us to make some very difficult conclusions, but we wholeheartedly believe in these necessary decisions and our hearts are with those who have been or continue to be affected by this pandemic.
