The B.C. Government may be looking at financial relief for junior hockey teams.

Premier John Horgan was on the NL Morning News today where he was asked about funding for small and large businesses in the province. He steered the conversation into potential funding for junior hockey teams in British Columbia.

“These are organizations that employ a lot of people and create a lot of hope and opportunity for youngsters,” Horgan said. “We’re looking at what we can do to help these leagues [BCHL and WHL].”

Junior hockey teams in the province have been unable to operate since the late fall with an increase in sports restrictions. Teams can’t travel, can’t host fans, and also can’t play head-to-head games with opponents. Those restrictions were extended indefinitely today.

B.C. would not be the first province to announce funding for sports teams.

The Saskatchewan government gave its five WHL teams $600,000 each and $1-million to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. There is speculation that Alberta will be following suit.

In Quebec, the government forwarded a grant of $12 million for the QMJHL.