The owner of the Newfoundland Growlers says the club and the league are exploring ways to return to play next fall with fans in the building.
Despite the NHL pushing towards a return to play this summer, the AHL and the ECHL have already made the decision to cancel their seasons.
The ECHL and the AHL cannot survive without fans in the building during games, as Growlers owner Dean MacDonald says their revenues are generated by the fans, not TV rights.
MacDonald says they have to be in a position where they know their fans will be safe, and they’re trying to work through that.
As for exactly how it will all work, MacDonald says it’s still a bit too early. Playing in front of reduced fans would be a major problem, and he says there are other ways to solve that issue.
MacDonald believes it’s a pretty sure bet that the league will not start at its normal time in late October.
For example, he says if the league starts on December 1, it would give them the options of having a shorter season, a shorter playoff format, or even a longer season.
One thing the Growlers have suggested to the league, given they are only one of two Canadian teams in the ECHL and issues with travel across the border, is to play the first month of the season on the road, which MacDonald says is not unheard of.
Growlers Announce Protected Players List
Meanwhile, although this season has been canned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Growlers are still making roster moves in preparation for next season.
On Wednesday, the Growlers announced their protected players list.
It’s the first of a multi-step process in which ECHL teams reserve the rights to contracted players for the upcoming season.
Players under an AHL contract are not required to be named on the protected list. Local players Zach O’Brien and Marcus Power are both under AHL contracts.
The Growlers protected two goalies (Michael Garteig and Parker Gahagen), four defensemen, including captain and Goulds native James Melindy (also, Garrett Johnston, Evan Neugold and Tommy Panico) and three forwards (Todd Skirving, Mark Tremaine and Dylan Vander Esch).
Our Protected Player List for the upcoming ECHL season has been announced.
Check it out –>https://t.co/XBIL6KFMB5#StandOnGuard pic.twitter.com/dhuxYDsEFZ
— Newfoundland Growlers (@NLGrowlers) June 3, 2020