By Thomas I. Likness
EBC Edmonton Bureau

EDMONTON (Eagle News) — Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has asked Prime Minister Trudeau to grant an exemption that will allow players and staff of the National Hockey League from travel restrictions currently in place.

“Such an exemption from the Canadian government would be necessary to enable the OEG (Oilers Entertainment Group in Edmonton) bid to play host to the NHL playoffs,” Kenney wrote in a letter to Trudeau Tuesday.

Edmonton is one of three Canadian and seven US cities being considered as a hub for league playoffs later this summer. Two venues will be chosen.

Even if the travel restriction is lifted, there is still the required 14-day quarantine restriction which could be a barrier to choosing a Canadian venue.

The season was suspended on March 12 and Tuesday NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the league will advance to playoffs featuring 24 teams with training camps to begin in mid to late July.

Kenney said public health officials in the province support the choice of Edmonton as a hub city.

“Edmonton has among the lowest levels of active COVID-19 cases amongst North American cities of a similar size and population density,” Kenney noted. “Alberta’s comprehensive and effective testing provides an additional advantage for protecting public safety and monitoring of COVID-19.”

Kenney added the unique infrastructure of the area surrounding Edmonton’s Rogers Place Arena provides an additional level of public safety.

“A number of hotels connect directly to Rogers Place via secure pedways, and therefore an effective quarantine zone could be established,” Kenney wrote.

(Eagle News Service)