The Heritage Junior Hockey League (HJHL) has hit pause on the regular-season play and team practices, including the Cochrane Generals, to comply with COVID-19 measures implemented by the Alberta Government.

"Based on this new information and the COVID-19 restrictions that are now in place, the HJHL Executive Board has decided to take the same approach as the Alberta Elite Hockey League and the Alberta Female Hockey League," says league president Gilbert Renaud. "The HJHL will not play hockey between Nov. 13 and Nov. 27."

At the time of the decision only two of the seven games scheduled for Nov. 22 could have proceeded, he points out.

"We have reached this decision after studying many angles including, but not limited to cost for referee assignors (and shortage of officials), internal logistics of re-organizing the schedule, limiting non-essential travel, and the fact that we have dealt with COVID-19 cases on three of our own teams."

Renaud says the safety of all participants in the Heritage Junior Hockey League remains paramount.

In the meantime, details are being hammered out on their upcoming series against the Coaldale Copperheads, says Gens head coach Kurtis Jones. Currently, they are scheduled to host the Copperheads on Nov. 29 but that's subject to change at this point.