MINSK, 30 September (BelTA) - Due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic, the KHL has decided to cancel the 2021 All-Star Week, which was due to take place in Riga in January, BelTA has learned.
“This is a really tough decision. For the first time in its 13-year history, KHL fans will miss out on this show, which brings together our top players and since 2016 has celebrated the best of three leagues. Unfortunately, right now we cannot predict how the coronavirus situation will be in January 2021 and we have a responsibility not to endanger the health of our players and supporters,” KHL President Alexei Morozov said. “The KHL has no interest in staging this event behind closed doors. That idea has no merit. Those fans and players who travel to the All-Star Week from so many different countries are the real stars of the occasion – they create that unique festive atmosphere in the arena. I don't believe that staging the event with restrictions on the number of spectators would be a success. Only a sell-out crowd makes this event what it has always been – the biggest show in the KHL season. As a result, the league, in discussion with the organizing committee in Riga, decided to cancel the 2021 All-Star Week. We will definitely return and put on the full show that we planned in January of the following year. Believe me, a lot of work has already gone into this. We will celebrate together in January 2022,” Alexei Morozov noted.
The All-Star Week were due to start in Riga on 16 January 2021 with an exhibition game involving the top players in the Women's Hockey League and the Junior Hockey League Challenge Cup and to wrap up with the KHL All-Star weekend on 23-24 January.
