Malik Kaddoura (left) in a game against the Okotoks Oilers last fall. (Cindy2Key)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

missing out has taken a toll on mental health

Grizzlys forward wants extra year of junior hockey eligibility for over-agers

Feb 11, 2021 | 2:11 PM

A push is on to allow 20-year-old junior hockey players an extra year of eligibility after missing out on their final year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leading the charge is Olds Grizzlys forward Malik Kaddoura, who says losing the final year of junior to COVID-19 has put a strain on many players’ mental health.

Kaddoura launched a petition on Change.org at the start of the month and planded to give it to Hockey Canada once it reached 1,000 signatures. It sits at just over 1,050 as of Thursday morning.

“As athletes we dedicate our lives to our sports. We all know that one day we will have to hang up our skates but no one expected a pandemic to make that decision for us,” he writes in the petition. “I am asking all of the hockey players out there, especially the 20-year-olds, to stand strong and fight for our dreams.”

Kaddoura’s ask of Hockey Canada applies to over-agers in Jr. A, Jr. B, Major Junior and any other junior hockey league across the country.

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He points out the final year of junior is crucial to a young player’s ability to impress scouts who may be looking for players to bring stateside on a scholarship.

“There is a lot of stress because of the fact we can’t play this year. The 20-year-old season is full of opportunities and you can’t get those if you’re not playing. We’ve worked towards these dreams and goals our whole life, and now it’s been stripped from us,” he says.

“It’s awesome to see the support and I’m grateful to everyone who’s signed the petition. Those people are helping to make a difference.”

In a brief statement to rdnewsNOW, Hockey Canada says it is aware of the petition, but has no further update at this time.