AHL, OHL won't start seasons before February

American Hockey League president Scott Howson recently told ESPN that a Dec. 4 start date for the 2020-21 season held amid the worsening coronavirus pandemic wasn't realistic.  

The AHL is now delaying the campaign's start by two months. 

In an official announcement, Howson explained that the league's board of governors approved the postponement of the season's tentative start date to at least Feb. 5.

"The AHL continues to work with its member clubs to monitor developments and local guidelines in all 31 league cities," Howson said. "Further details regarding the 2020-21 American Hockey League season are still to be determined."

Additionally, Jeff Marek of Sportsnet reported that the Ontario Hockey League, a junior league under the Canadian Hockey League umbrella, isn't expected to start its season until Feb. 4 at the earliest. 

Howson previously said the AHL, the NHL's top developmental league, shouldn't "be too far out of line" with the NHL's to-be confirmed schedule. Earlier this month, Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley told KSHP's "Vegas Hockey Hotline" he believes a shortened NHL regular-season may not begin until February for multiple reasons. 

Hockey teams at all levels, including the NHL, are reliant on ticket sales, and it's hoped delays would allow for the developments of coronavirus therapeutics or even a vaccine. 

The border that divides Canada and the United States remaining closed to non-essential travel for the foreseeable future also complicates hockey competitions that feature American and Canadian teams playing against each other. Such leagues may have to create Canada-only divisions and then quarantine personnel inside isolated hubs for playoff tournaments in order to complete seasons. 

The Canadian government did not permit either the Toronto Blue Jays or NHL clubs to travel back and forth between the countries for summer restarts.