Annual Quebec peewee hockey tournament cancelled for 2021 because of COVID-19

QUEBEC — The 2021 Quebec International Peewee Hockey Tournament has been cancelled because of COVID-19.

Organizers of the annual tournament announced the cancellation of the event, scheduled for Feb. 10 to 21, 2021, on Monday.

The tournament says it examined several scenarios before making the decision.

Organizers say a fear of a second wave of COVID-19 was a major factor in the cancellation.

The 2021 event was slated to feature about 2,500 players from around the world, 400 volunteers and 450 billeting families.

Founded in 1960, the event has featured future NHL stars like Wayne Gretzky, Guy Lafleur, Steve Yzerman and Mario Lemieux.

“This decision breaks our hearts. We know the young peewees worked hard to achieve this goal and that this was probably their only chance to experience it this year,” tournament president Michel Plante said in a statement.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published August 31, 2020.

The Canadian Press