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The Toronto Maple Leafs could be the first of many clubs that cut back on attendance in the wake of the uptick of COVID cases due to the new Omicron variant, as the province of Ontario announced on Wednesday that venues of more than 1,000 people will reduce their capacity by 50%.
"As has been the case throughout the pandemic, MLSE remains fully supportive of the province's decision, and we continue to work closely with our government and public health partners to protect against the spread of COVID-19 within our community.… MLSE said in a press release. “Our ticketing team is currently working through the logistics of implementing this change and will provide follow up details to all ticket holders within 24 hours.
Additionally, as was being planned prior to today's capacity announcement, MLSE's venue operations team will implement an enhanced mask protocol within the venue beginning with Saturday's Raptors game called "Operation Mask Up (or out)" that requires all attendees to strictly adhere to all mask-wearing protocols or risk ejection from the building. MLSE also strongly encourages all fans to get vaccinated and closely follow all public health protocols to protect each other and our community at large."
Scotiabank Arena holds more than 19,000 seats for Leafs and Raptors games, and the new restrictions would limit both clubs to under 10,000 fans. There have been no indicators of how long the province will keep these restrictions in place.
The Leafs are currently on a Western road swing and do not play home until an afternoon matinee next Thursday against the St. Louis Blues.
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The 2022 IIHF World Junior Championships begin next weekend in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, and the Maple Leafs will have three prospects playing in the tournament.
2020 draftees Roni Hirvonen and Topi Niemela will play in their second World Junior for Finland and 2021 top pick Matthew Knies will play for the U.S.
Hirvonen (selected 59th overall) had six points for the Finns last January and has nearly eclipsed his single-season point totals in half a season with HIFK Helsinki.
The 19-year-old Niemela won the award in Edmonton last year for best defenseman with eight points and that has served as a springboard for the 19-year-old, who leads the SM-liiga in defensive scoring with 24 points.
Knies, selected 57th overall last summer by Toronto, performed well at the World Junior Summer Showcase for Team UDSA and has seven goals in 18 games in his first season at the University of Minnesota.
2020 seventh-round pick Ryan Tverberg impressed at camp for Team Canada after a strong start at the University of Connecticut but did not make the final cut.
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