It's been in the air for years and now it's a done deal: the owners of the QMJHL have agreed to reduce the number of games from 68 to 64 starting next season.
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The aim of this decision is primarily to reduce the overall burden on players, particularly by eliminating games played on weekday evenings.
A reduction of four games in a season spanning six months may seem trivial.
In addition, several scenarios were presented and examined before it was concluded that a number of 64 games was the optimal target for the time being. For Commissioner Mario Cecchini, this is a first step and he does not rule out further cuts in the future.
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“We wanted to avoid making a decision that was too far-reaching and having to back down. There, at 64, it's adequate and I don't think we'll achieve any more. We will see in the coming years whether it is necessary to take another measure like this. It’s not part of a specific plan, but more of a reflection.”
Another big decision
This is another relatively important decision taken by the QMJHL General Assembly in a few months, following the complete abolition of fighting in the Circuit as well as the reform of the name of the Circuit, which was changed from Junior Hockey League Quebec Major to Maritime Quebec Junior Hockey League.
In all three cases these were dossiers that had been discussed for several years but could never be resolved.
How then can we explain that within a few months we came to the decisions accepted by the owners?
“I think we are at a time when the ground has been fertile for the sowing of new ideas,” said Cecchini, who officially took office last May. I think after the pandemic everyone realized that things had to happen. The timing was right and I don't take it personally, we have new eyes, new people in the league and new owners. One thing is certain: with everything that is happening in hockey, we realize that we have to move,” he says, adding that his focus now is particularly on the development of hockey and the work to be done in conjunction with Hockey Quebec be to optimize it.
Other change
Additionally, the QMJHL stated that it has made another change to its regulations.
Previously, 19-year-old players released by a team had to be placed on waivers. The county will now apply this rule to 18-year-old hockey players to “give each player the greatest possible opportunity to play in the QMJHL.”
With the QMI agency