The four-team tournament, featuring the winners of the three CHL leagues -- the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Western Hockey League -- as well as the host team, was scheduled to start June 17 in Ontario, either in Sault Ste. Marie or Oshawa.
"The CHL is committed to the health and safety of our players, their families and billets, our teams, staff and officials, and the communities in which we play," CHL president Dan MacKenzie said. "That has driven all of our difficult decisions for the last year as we have dealt with this global pandemic. The decision was made based on the limitations on travel, border restrictions and quarantining requirements that would make it impossible to produce league champions."
The QMJHL began its season Oct. 2 but has seen its 18 teams play between 26 and 41 games, some in multiteam protected environments. The WHL started its season Feb. 26. The OHL has not played this season.
The 2020 Memorial Cup, along with the CHL playoffs, was also canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.
Rouyn-Noranda of the QMJHL won the Memorial Cup in 2019, a tournament that included Halifax of the QMJHL, Prince Albert of the WHL and Guelph of the OHL. Six players from the four teams were selected in the 2019 NHL Draft, including Edmonton Oilers forward prospect Raphael Lavoie (second round) and Washington Capitals forward prospects Brett Leason (second round) and Aliaksei Protas (third round).
