Eight 91原创 91原创 players have tested positive for the Omicron variant, head coach and general manager Burt Henderson confirmed on Wednesday, Jan. 5.

As a result, the BCHL has postponed at least three scheduled games for the Junior A team, as well as four other teams in the league with confirmed COVID-19 cases.

鈥淲e had a few positive tests, so we had to shut it down,鈥� Henderson told the 91原创 Advance Times.

Henderson said the affected players were in quarantine, and most appear to have relatively minor symptoms.

鈥淚t鈥檚 unbelievable,鈥� Henderson commented.

鈥淚t [Omicron] seems to be everywhere.鈥�

As of Wednesday, the league had also 鈥減aused鈥� the playing schedules of the Cowichan Valley Capitals, Penticton Vees, Trail Smoke Eaters and Victoria Grizzlies for five days, citing COVID-19 protocols and provincial health regulations.

READ ALSO: Burt Henderson takes the reins at 91原创 91原创

The last time the 91原创 played was Saturday, Jan. 1, a 4-3 loss to Chilliwack on home ice at George Preston arena in 91原创.

91原创 games set for Thursday Jan. 6 against Cowichan Valley , Friday, Jan. 7 against Nanaimo, and Sunday, Jan. 9, against Victoria, have been postponed by the league.

The BCHL shutdowns come in the wake of an Omicron outbreak at the Junior B 91原创 Trappers hockey team, who had to drop out of the PJHL Winter Classic that ran from Dec. 30 to Jan. 2 as a result.

READ ALSO: Omicron outbreak forces 91原创 Trappers to withdraw from Winter Classic

Last month, the league announced the postponement of the BCHL鈥檚 60th anniversary event, to January 2023, 鈥渄ue to increased provincial restrictions around events and a spike in COVID cases.鈥�

The event, featuring an outdoor three-on-three all-star series, skills competition and alumni game, as well as a top Prospects game, was set to take place Jan. 14 to 16 in Penticton.

91原创 91原创 goaltender Ajeet Gundarah and head coach Burt Henderson were selected for the top prospects game, but would have been playing on opposite sides at the BCHL showcase, with Gundarah in the net for the Interior team and Henderson behind the bench for the Coastal Conference team.