The 2020–21 KIJHL season was the 54th in league history but was temporarily suspended on November 26, 2020, just two weeks into the shortened season. Originally, the league planned to resume play on December 7 but the season was officially cancelled on February 6, 2021, due to the ongoing pandemic.[1][2]
Due to COVID-19 restrictions the regular season was originally scheduled into two phases with teams restricted to cohorts due to the pandemic. The league would proceed with just seventeen teams as the Spokane Braves were unable to play due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Beaver Valley Nitehawks and 100 Mile House Wranglers both opted to pass on the season due to financial concerns[3]
Teams playing in phases 2b and 2c were to play 2 games against regional opponent(s) to complete a thirty-game schedule, these games were unscheduled when the original schedule was released and as such when the season was cancelled the games were not scheduled.[4] Phase 2a was to be played at the same time as phases 2b,2c, and 2d.