BlackJacks Quarterfinal Roster

There will be new faces in the BlackJacks lineup this afternoon when the team tips off against Hamilton in the CEBL quarterfinal (4 p.m. ET live on CBC TV).

Ottawa played its last regular season game at Niagara last Sunday. As part of the normal CEBL testing protocol, it was identified the following day that two Niagara River Lions players, who are roommates, tested positive for Covid-19.

In accordance with Public Health protocols, teammates, coaches, and staff at Sunday’s game who were not fully vaccinated were required to enter self-isolation for 10 days due to this isolated incident.

Thankfully, subsequent testing of both teams revealed no additional positive tests later in the week.

As a result of the incident, some Ottawa regulars remain in isolation and are not cleared to play today. CEBL Commissioner Mike Morreale granted BlackJacks General Manager Jevohn Shepherd team exemptions to sign additional players to complete the Ottawa roster.

The good news is that if the BlackJacks upset Hamilton today in the quarterfinal game, those players currently in isolation will be available to compete in the CEBL Championship Weekend.