22nd annual Bell Capital Cup postponed by Ottawa International Hockey Festival

The Ottawa International Hockey Festival (OIHF) board of directors is postponing the 2020 Bell Capital Cup indefinitely, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The cup tournament was scheduled to begin on Monday, December 28, but following the review of several possible scenarios, and in recognition of Hockey Canada’s evolving Return to Play plan, organizers determined that holding the tournament at its usual time was “unfeasible.” 

“As the safety of participants, volunteers, spectators and facility staff is of utmost importance, and given the current climate and regulations in place, holding a large-scale event of this size was not possible, while the challenges for International team participation and associated hotel and travel logistics rendered their participation equally unrealistic,” the tournament organizers wrote in a statement Monday, October 19. 

The tournament’s governing body, Hockey Eastern Ontario, adds that tournaments of any size are not currently being sanctioned.

the tournament’s board of directors is expected to continue to investigate all options, including holding a tournament later in the winter or postponing the 22nd edition until its usual time next winter. 

Further updates will be announced as the situation evolves, and when public health, government and hockey’s governing bodies deem it safe to return to tournament play.