Warriors Given Green Light To Commence Play

It was a case of not our story when we shared on Facebook a breaking news story from the Prince Albert Daily Herald about the Province agreeing to allow Saskatchewan WHL teams play in a hub based in Regina, well despite the detractors the reports we shared have turned out to be true.

Today the Western Hockey League announced commencing Friday March 12 the WHL’s East Division (Saskatchewan and Manitoba) based teams will be playing in a Regina based hub.

“The WHL appreciates the cooperation we have received from both the Governments of Saskatchewan and Manitoba as we work towards a safe return to play in the East Division,” WHL Commissioner Ron Robison said in a statement. “With our extensive protocols and the necessary approvals now in place, we are looking forward to play getting underway in Regina and allowing our players to continue their development at the highest level in the Canadian system.”

Seven WHL Clubs, which operate in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, will form the East Division, including the Moose Jaw Warriors, Prince Albert Raiders, Regina Pats, Saskatoon Blades, Swift Current Broncos, Brandon Wheat Kings, and Winnipeg ICE. The WHL has agreed that all East Division games during the 2020-21 Regular Season will be played exclusively at the Brandt Centre in Regina, under an approved WHL Hub Center model. The league has previously committed to a 24 game regular season.

As part of the permission to return to play the WHL has developed an extensive set of protocols. The WHL believes the protective Hub environment will provide a high standard of safety, for not only players and staff, but the Regina community at large., the release stated.

As part of those protocols WHL players and staff from Saskatchewan and Manitoba based Clubs will begin self-quarantining on February 20. They will report to the WHL Hub Center in Regina on February 27, where they will be required to undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival followed by an additional quarantine period.

Players and staff will then undergo a second COVID-19 test before being permitted to engage in any team activity.

WHL Clubs will also use private PCR testing through DynaLIFE Medical Labs, to ensure no additional strain is placed on public health.

The WHL will implement an ongoing weekly private PCR testing strategy. If a WHL Club has one or more players or staff test positive for COVID-19 at any point in the season, the Club will be required to suspend its Club activities for a minimum of 14 days.

Enhanced screening for all WHL players, team staff and officials will also take place on a daily basis, including regular temperature screenings as well as symptom monitoring through the WHL Athlete RMS Mobile Application. Masks must be worn by all WHL players at all times with the exception of when participating on ice for games and practices. WHL coaches will be required to wear masks at all times, including while conducting practice and while behind the bench during games.

As the WHL returns to play in the East Division, no spectators will be permitted to enter WHL facilities.

WHL fans can look forward to the launch of a brand-new live streaming service that will deliver the excitement of WHL hockey straight to their homes. Details on the new WHL Live will be announced soon.

With the East Division start date now confirmed for March 12, the WHL will have three Divisions ready to open the Regular Season, starting with the Central Division on Friday, February 26 and the U.S. Division on Friday, March 19. The WHL continues to work with government health authorities in British Columbia to establish a start date for the WHL’s B.C. Division. Approval from the health authority in B.C. is required for the WHL’s B.C. Division to return to play.