The American Hockey League announced Monday that a decision has been reached to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 season because of the coronavirus pandemic. It will mark the first time since the AHL’s inaugural season in 1936-37 that a Calder Cup champion will not be named.
After making plans for several different return-to-play scenarios since the AHL schedule was first postponed two months ago, Manitoba Moose head coach Pascal Vincent almost sounded relieved that a final decision had been made, one way or the other.
“It gives us, at least something to move forward, knowing that the season is cancelled,” Vincent said. “At least we know. And now we can move forward with different plans, and planning for what’s coming next. But being stuck in uncertainty, and not knowing if we’re going to play or not – we have to prepare multiple plans. Now we can scratch a few and move forward.”
Exit interviews between management, coaches, and players are normally conducted as soon as each season is finished, and now that the season is officially called off the Moose will attempt to conduct player interviews via video conferencing.
“We’re going to have to use the technology and get in touch with the players,” Vincent said. “The mechanics of how we’re going to do it is still something we need to figure out. We have a few ideas. The Zoom meetings might be an option, but we want to get in touch with our players. Not being able to do it in-person, face-to-face, is not great, but we have to deal with it.”
At the time of the suspension of play on Thursday, March 11, the Moose had 15 games remaining on their schedule and were in eighth and last place in the AHL Central Division with a 27-33-1-0 record.
After more than two full seasons with the Moose, forward Jansen Harkins was recalled by the Winnipeg Jets in December. He didn’t play another game for the Moose and Vincent pointed to Harkins’ success at the NHL level as one of his highlights from the past season.
“Jansen Harkins’ story is quite amazing,” Vincent said. “His ability to adjust and to improve and to stick to the plan. And to stay patient. And that’s what he did. He stayed positive. He stayed patient. And he followed the process, and he got better.
“The confidence he built in himself by doing the right things over and over, and keep working on his craft. To me, it’s quite the story.”
With no hockey until October at the earliest, players will go at least seven full months between competitive games. And Vincent is eager to see which players will be using all this free time to their benefit.
“Everybody’s going to be missing the same time, the younger players, the older players, but it’s going to be really interesting to see who took advantage of this situation and get better,” Vincent said.
“There’s different things you can do in your garage, in your backyard, in the street, and that are specific for hockey players.”
The Moose also issued a statement of their own regarding ticket refunds on Monday.
While no one really knows for sure when professional sports will be able to return, the Moose will prepare for next season like any other.
“We’re planning as if we’re returning in September,” Vincent said. “That’s what we’re going to do now knowing that the season is over.
“If we don’t start in September, then we’re just going to adjust eventually when we know more.”
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