Ottawa’s 2021 Bell Capital Cup cancelled as COVID-19 cases climb

Omicron has forced organizers of the Ottawa International Hockey Festival (OIHF) to cancel the 22nd annual Bell Capital Cup event.

In a news release issued on Friday, December 17, OIHF said announcers were forced to cancel the 2021 event based on Ottawa Public Health’s (OPH) recommendation that indoor sports and team play be temporarily suspended.

“Recognized as the world’s premier U13 hockey tournament, the annual Bell Capital Cup was scheduled to begin on Tuesday, December 28, with 197 teams competing in 18 divisions in a showcase of great minor hockey action across the Ottawa region during the winter holiday season,” the announcement outlined.

“Due to the increased number of COVID-19 cases in the province and out of an abundance of caution, it was determined that cancelling the tournament was the best course of action to keep participants, volunteers, spectators and facility staff safe and to assist in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in the National Capital Region and across the province.”

OIHF said it hopes to return with the tournament next season, which has been scheduled from December 28, 2022 to January, 1, 2023.

Teams that currently have hotel rooms booked for the Bell Capital Cup through Hudson Travel Group will have their rooms cancelled automatically and do not need to reach out to the travel group directly.

Registration refunds will be processed and returned to tams as soon as possible.