In the midst of its strongest season in years, the Kenai River Brown Bears, through the actions of the North American Hockey League, have cancelled the remainder of the 2019-20 hockey season including games, practices, social interaction and players and staff have been released and sent home.
The Brown Bears, with the season suspended, stand in third place in the Midwest Division of the NAHL with a total of 60 points in 52 games. The Fairbanks Ice Dogs hold a record of 79 points in 52 games.
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced that the current 2019-20 season, including the 2020 NAHL Robertson Cup Playoffs and Championship, have all been canceled due to the International medical emergency caused by COVID-19 and pandemic.
Statement from NAHL Commissioner Mark Frankenfeld:
“The NAHL and its Board of Governors did everything in our power to preserve a modified playoff and Robertson Cup Finals to ensure our players had every opportunity to compete for and win a Robertson Cup Championship. The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation of cancelling all events of 50 or more people during the next eight weeks made that reality impossible without dramatically disrupting the rest of our hockey calendar. All NAHL teams will move forward with their tryout camp schedule, which is currently outside the CDC window.”
“We have had an incredible and memorable 2019-20 season up until this point, so this is a very sad day for everyone associated with the NAHL. We share that disappointment with all of our teams, parents, billet families, staff, sponsors, and fans. However, the biggest disappointment we have today is for our players. They are the backbone of the NAHL and we are blessed to have some incredible players and talent in our league. However, the safety of our hockey community, including all of our players, is our top priority and the decision to cancel the remainder of the season was necessary and in the best interest of everyone involved,” continued Frankenfeld.
In addition to the NAHL canceling the remainder of the season, the NAHL also announced that all 2020 NAHL Combines, the Prep Invitational in Chicago in late March, and the 18U Top Prospects Tournament in Blaine in May, have all been suspended. The NAHL is committed to rescheduling these events as soon as possible.
In the coming weeks, the NAHL will announce its 2019-20 season awards. The 2020 NAHL Draft is scheduled to take place online at nahl.com on Tuesday, June 2nd at 1pm (central) and can also be seen live on HockeyTV.
Midwest Division: Final Standings
Teams Games Wins Loss OTL SOL Pts
| 1 | x – Fairbanks Ice Dogs | 52 | 38 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 79 |
| 2 | Chippewa Steel | 51 | 29 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 62 |
| 3 | Kenai River Brown Bears | 52 | 27 | 19 | 3 | 3 | 60 |
| 4 | MN Magicians | 53 | 21 | 23 | 6 | 3 | 51 |
| 5 | Janesville Jets | 52 | 24 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 50 |
| 6 | Springfield Jr. Blues | 54 | 16 | 34 | 2 | 2 | 36 |