Ontario gives AHL green light to play games in province

Ontario's provincial government has granted the AHL's Toronto Marlies and Belleville Senators permission to play games within the province this season, Ontario minister of heritage, sport, tourism, and culture Lisa MacLeod announced Friday.

"I am pleased to share that Ontario's AHL teams will be able to play in Ontario following the approval of a return-to-play plan by Ontario's chief medical officer of health," read a statement from MacLeod.

"As a direct feeder league for Ontario's two NHL teams, the AHL has proposed comparable guidelines to (those) of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators, ensuring the safety of players, staff, their families, and the local community."

Like the NHL, the AHL has created an all-Canadian division for the 2020-21 season. The AHL campaign began earlier in February, but the five members of the Canadian division have yet to play any games.

The Marlies are set to begin their season on Feb. 15 by kicking off an eight-game road trip, while the Senators will play four straight against the Laval Rocket in Quebec beginning Friday.