U Sports cancels men’s, women’s hockey championships amid coronavirus pandemic

U Sports has cancelled this year’s men’s and women’s hockey championships.

The organization announced the decision on Thursday evening after Hockey Canada cancelled “all sanctioned activities” due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

READ MORE: University Cup men’s national hockey tournament goes ahead despite COVID-19 sport shutdown

The men’s hockey championship in Halifax was still set to continue and had even played two quarterfinal matches before the decision came down from U Sports.

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The women’s hockey championship was being hosted by the University of Prince Edward Island.

It’s the first time in the 58-year history of the men’s tournament that the David Johnston University Cup will not be awarded and the first time in the 22-year history of the women’s tournament that the Golden Path Trophy will not be awarded.

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U Sports says a full refund will be issued for those who bought tickets in the coming days.