Northwest Notes March 24, 2020
WHL playoffs canceled, ending Chiefs’ season Zags’ Petrusev is USBWA third team All-American Big Sky suspends athletic activities through May 15
CALGARY, Alberta — Western Hockey League Commissioner Ron Robison announced Monday the cancellation of the 2020 WHL playoffs.
Following a meeting with the WHL Board of Governors and consultation with medical professionals, it was determined that the best course of action was the 2020 WHL playoffs not be contested due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Nothing is more important to the WHL than the health and safety of our players, officials, staff, and fans,” Robison said. “Without any ability to predict as to when it will be safe and responsible to return to play, the WHL has made the difficult decision to cancel the WHL playoffs and the balance of the 2019-20 season. All of us at the WHL will continue to do our part in battling this virus so that we may be in a position to enjoy more WHL hockey.”
Spokane finished 41-18-4-1, 87 points, third in the U.S. Division behind Portland (45-11-3-4, 97 points) and fast-closing Everett (46-13-3-1, 96 points).
The Chiefs finished fourth in the Western Conference, fifth overall in the WHL.
INDIANAPOLIS — Gonzaga’s Filip Petrusev was named third team All-American by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association on Monday.
Petrusev was joined by Jordan Nwora (Louisville), Jared Butler (Baylor), Tre Jones (Duke) and Jalen Smith (Maryland) on the third team.
The first team consists of senior guards Markus Howard of Marquette and Myles Powell of Seton Hall, senior center Udoka Azubuike of Kansas, junior center Luka Garza of Iowa and sophomore forward Obi Tobbin of Dayton. Powell (District II), Toppin (District V) and Garza (District VI) were USBWA Players of the Year and Garza (Big Ten), Toppin (Atlantic 10), Powell (Big East) and Azubuike (Big 12) were the players of the year in their respective conferences. Six of the eight USBWA District Players of the Year are on the complete 15-man team.
FARMINGTON, Utah — Following a vote Monday by its Presidents’ Council, the Big Sky Conference has cancelled all practices and workouts for its athletic departments through May 15. This action includes the cancellation of all spring football practices that had not yet been completed.
Idaho and Eastern Washington had yet to begin their spring football practices.
Big Sky institutions continue to retain the option to provide support services for their student-athletes while following national, state, and campus protocols for social distancing and preventing the spread of COVID-19. These services may vary based on each institution’s circumstances and can include athletic training, academics, mental health, as well as other programming that is in the best interest of supporting the student-athletes.
On March 18, the Presidents’ Council cancelled the 2020 Big Sky spring athletic competitions and championships, as well as suspended team or individual practices and workouts until at least April 3. The Presidents’ Council also had voted on March 12 to suspend competition for spring sports and to cancel the remainder of the 2020 Basketball Championships.
— From news services