Royals pause team activities due to multiple cases of COVID-19 among staff and players

The Victoria Royals were included in a list of 11 WHL teams put on pause by the league Friday due to multiple cases of COVID-19 among players and staff.

As per league protocol, the team will not be permitted to hold any off or on-ice activities for the immediate future—meaning no games, practices or group workouts.

Additionally, the league announced the postponement of two games between the Royals and Spokane Chiefs scheduled for Jan. 11 and 12, which themselves had been originally scheduled for November, now postponed for a second time. This comes only a few days after the league announced the cancellation of the Royals’ weekend matchups against the Prince George Cougars.

It is unclear at this point how long the restrictions will remain in effect, however the league remains committed to making up all rescheduled games before the end of the season.

While the announcement made by the league Friday brought the total of teams currently on pause to 15, it was also announced that both the Swift Current Broncos and Lethbridge Hurricanes have been permitted to resume team activities after being put on hold early last week.

This could mean Victoria has the potential to be back in action as early as next weekend when they are scheduled for a two game series against the Kelowna Rockets.

But for now the ice at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre will remain quiet as we await the return of Royals hockey.