The league issued a press release this morning just dripping righteous indignation because the rules of the province applied to them. Do the teams play in bubbles? I think not, and you think not, but the league’s statement claims they do: “Over the course of the next few days, we will share with Quebec Public Health Officials additional measures which will render the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada's and Quebec Remparts' bubbles even more secure.” Their word, bubbles.
My only real point here is that it’s rarely a good idea to raise a public stink and disingenuously cast yourself as a victim of a government directive impacting several million red zone residents in the province, a province that cut you a $20 million cheque just 7 days ago. It’s an especially bad idea when just hours later you’ve got to walk it all back because your “bubble” didn’t hold. It’s utterly amateurish.
I disagree.
If the QMJHL submitted a return to play plan and the Province accepted that plan, I don’t think the Province should be selectively restricting the teams from playing regardless of the current situation unless that was made abundantly clear as part of their acceptance for the league playing. As far as I am aware, the member teams were not advised they may be selectively shut down based on whether their team resides in a “red zone.”
I see this as changing the rules for no clear reason, especially considering everyone knew we would see hot spots surface.
The QMJHL does have a bubble of sorts but it is far from infallible. Just because there are inherent gaps doesn’t mean they dropped the ball either.
I think it is far too soon to make rash judgements. I know MLB had loads of issues the first week or two and then everything tightened up a lot and they were able to finish their season and have had a successful playoff so far.
With respect to the indignation, I would agree. I think it could have and most certainly should have been handled far more diplomatically. That said, why would a Province dole out $20mil and then shut the league down? I know governments like to burn money like a drunken sailor at port but they have to allow the league to find their way otherwise why give them money to operate?
