Sports
Providence Bruins Season Canceled Due To Coronavirus Concerns
The American Hockey League announced on Monday the remainder of the Providence Bruins hockey season has been canceled.
PROVIDENCE, RI — When the Providence Bruins skated off the XL Center ice with a 3-1 victory against the Hartford Wolf Pack on March 11, they did so with the best record in the American Hockey League and a league-leading 82 points.
It turns out that would be the last time the P-Bruins took the ice this season. The AHL decided to suspend play the next day due to the emerging new coronavirus health crisis. On Monday, AHL President and Chief Executive Officer David Andrews announced that the AHL season will not resume until the start of the 2020-21 campaign.
"After a lengthy review process, the American Hockey League has determined that the resumption and completion of the 2019-20 season is not feasible in light of current conditions," Andrews said in a statement. "The league's operational focus has turned toward actively preparing for the 2020-21 season. We are very grateful to the National Hockey League and its teams for their support and leadership in navigating through the challenges faced over the past two months."
Find out what's happening in East Providencefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
When National Hockey League has informed teams and players that it intends to try to finish out the regular season and Stanley Cup playoffs, if at all possible, the chase for the Calder Cup is over.
"The AHL continues to place paramount importance on the health and safety of our players, officials, staff and fans and all of their families, and we all look forward to returning to our arenas in 2020-21," Andrews said.
Find out what's happening in East Providencefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Providence Bruins thanked their fans for their support during a 38-18-3-3 season that included a 12-game win streak.
The team issued contact information for those with questions about single-game tickets, ticket membership and plans, partnerships and suites and hospitality.
Most events at the Dunkin' Donuts Center have been canceled or postponed through July - including the Providence College 2020 commencement that has been reschedule for Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. and the Johnson & Wales commencement rescheduled for Aug. 22.
The next major commercial event still on as scheduled for the Dunkin' Donuts Center is the Sept. 18 WWE Smackdown.
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