Return to action plan announced for iconic PeeWee Quebec tournament in 2022.
Tournament directors took to the stage on Tuesday afternoon to announce the return to action and safety procedures for the 62nd annual PeeWee Quebec. Part of the announcement was to confirm the tournament will take place from February 9 – 20, 2022, in an international format.
Soupir de soulagement pour des centaines de joueurs de hockey pee-wee qui pourront participer au tournoi de Québec du 9 au 20 février prochain au centre Vidéotron après l’annulation de 2021. L’édition 2022 ne sera toutefois pas un retour à la normale @tournoipeewee pic.twitter.com/uhQCpGxsph
— Stéphane Turcot (@StephTurcotTVA) September 14, 2021
This is big news in the youth hockey world, since COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the event — and many other international events — last season.
’’We have worked hard, very hard to make it happen quickly and to finally tell you that the Tournament will officially take place in February,” said tournament president Michel Plante. “There were several key issues to be resolved, several heart-breaking decisions had to be made and it has not been easy. The important thing is that we can finally go ahead and get everything going for the next edition. If you only knew how happy we are.”
A tournament of this magnitude amidst a global pandemic will of course require many adjustments and conditions to be respected, not just for the players but the spectators and volunteers as well.
”The most important thing for us is to keep everyone safe and that will be our priority,” said administrator Patrick Dom. “We prefer to be more than careful. The teams will come from all over the world, all the more reason not to take any risk.”
While the event is set to return, directors were the first to admit it will be far from normal circumstances. Only players born in 2009, or 2008s born in October, November, December, will be allowed to participate. All team members will be required to be vaccinated, including coaching staff and managers regardless of country of origin. Anyone 12 years of age or older will have to present a vaccination passport before entering the Videotron Center. The complete list of adjustments can be found HERE.
Most importantly, is the tournament organizers’ commitment to making the 2022 event happen, and receiving support from federal and local governments. Canada has been without youth hockey for more than a year, but announcements like this appear as if the powers that be are committed to delivering a full hockey season, and events, back the youth hockey community.
World Hockey Hub will have continued coverage of the PeeWee Quebec leading up to the event in February, as well as in-depth breakdowns of big matchups, top teams and performers from the tournament on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.
