The KIJHL is back. On Thursday league officials made the announcement that play is expected to get going again on November 13 with no fans in the stands and three teams taking the season off.

Nelson Leafs Coach Mario DiBella stopped by Kootenay Morning on Sep. 4 to talk about new league regulations, training camp, what fans can expect to see on the ice and how the team is shaping up.

Teams will be restricted to inter-divisional play and mount just a 30 game campaign to claim a spot in the post-season battle for the championship title.

Over the off-season the Leafs lost a number of key pieces to their roster including star goaltender Anderson Violette. DiBella said he’s confident the team will bounce back and that the club brought in a number of players with Junior A experience over the summer.

Camp is slated to get going later this month and the Leafs will finally be able to get back in the building at the NDCC. Online viewing packages will be available for fans who won’t be able to attend games in person.

As a result of COVID-19 the club has had trouble with billeting young players. The organization is asking Nelsonites interested in putting up young hockey players to contact them at billeting@nelsonleafs.com

The puck drops November 13.

You can hear the entire interview with Coach DiBella below: