Hockey: United States Hockey League suspends season

The United States Hockey League Board of Directors on Thursday decided unanimously to suspend game play immediately and until further notice due to the COVID-19 virus.

It was about the only thing that could slow down the Chicago Steel this season. To date, the club sports the best record in the USHL at 41-7-1 (83 points), sitting atop the USHL Eastern Conference and the entire league and have already clinched a playoff spot.

“Our first priority is for the safety of our fans and our players,” said Dan Lehv, President of the Steel. “It was the right thing to do.”

The USHL notified its 16 member clubs just after noon Thursday. Lehv said the team had a meeting soon after that to notify players and coaches. He added players were then sent home for the day as there was no practice schedule.

The team was to have played a two-game home series with the Green Bay Gamblers Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Those games have been canceled and no team practices have been scheduled.

“If players wish and if they are able to, they will be allowed to go back to their home city until such time as play resumes,” Lehv said. “Otherwise they will continue to stay with their families and attend school.”

Lehv said the USHL League office is currently working contingency plans for when the regular season could resume and subsequently when the postseason would start.

“I encourage fans to keep watch on the USHL.com web site and the Steel web site for further updates,” Lehv said. “We are taking things day-by-day at this point.”