National Lacrosse League Cancels Remainder of 2019-2020 Regular Season
Apr 8, 2020
Media Contact:
Dana Jackson: 860-987-2344 (dana@halifaxthunderbirds.com)
(April 8, 2020) Halifax, Nova Scotia - The National Lacrosse League announced that the league has cancelled the remainder of the regular season due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 and ensuring the safety of our fans, players and staff. League officials are looking at a number of scenarios to return to play when all stakeholders and health officials deem possible. There is no timeline on when decisions will be made. This announcement follows the initial league suspension of regular season play on March 12th due to COVID-19.
“With three weekends left in the regular season and the uncertainty about resumption during that time, we decided it is in the best interests of our players, coaches, staff, partners and fans to remove any uncertainty. Our goal is to find the best, and safest, solution for resumption of play, but what that looks like, and when that occurs, cannot be determined today,” said NLL Commissioner Nick Sakiewicz. “Our primary focus is the long term health of all involved in the sport of lacrosse from a personal and a business standpoint, and we are consulting with our board, medical and municipal authorities, as well as leadership in other organizations across sports and entertainment, to determine when we will be able to effectively move forward. Whenever that is, we have plans in place that continue to evolve, and we will be ready to restart the process correctly and effectively.”
A member of the Halifax Thunderbirds ticket team will be in contact with Season Ticket Members and groups to discuss each account and options for fans moving forward. Tickets purchased online or over the phone through Ticket Atlantic for the games scheduled on April 18 and 25 will automatically be refunded. The refund could take up to 2-3 weeks. For tickets purchased in person at the Ticket Atlantic Box Office or Atlantic Superstore outlets please email ticketing@ticketatlantic.com.
"We are committed to the safety of our fans, partners, players, coaches, and staff. We look forward to getting back on the floor at the Scotiabank Centre in front of our incredible fans once we know it is safe to do so," said Thunderbirds President and CEO John Catalano. "We are incredibly thankful for the support we have received from our fans and the Halifax community. We hope everyone is healthy and staying safe."
The 8-4 Thunderbirds finished the 2019-20 regular season in sole possession of first place in the North Division after an 11-9 victory over the Buffalo Bandits on March 8th. Captain Cody Jamieson led the team's regular season offence with 59 points (26+33). Goaltender Warren Hill ends the regular season with an 8-1 record and a goals-against average of 9.65%. Jake Withers dominated at the face-off circle all season long, going 242-310 in 12 games played for a league best .780%. Graeme Hossack had a spectacular season for the Thunderbirds posting 18 points (9+9) on offence while defensively collecting 106 loose balls and accounting for 19 caused turnovers.
"We are extremely proud of our team's successes in our inaugural season,” said Team Owner and General Manger Curt Styres. “I want to thank the City for welcoming us and we look forward to getting back to Halifax as soon as we can.”
Season Ticket Member packages are on sale for the 2020-21 season. Call or text the Halifax Thunderbirds Ticketing Department at 902-334-2333. Fans can also email info@halifaxthunderbirds.com for customer support.