WHL Announces Starting Date For US Division Play

In living up to it’s commitment to hold a 24 game regular season the Western Hockey League announced on Friday the US Division had been given the green light to start their 2020-2021 regular season on Friday, March 19.

The announcement follows a February 1st announcement which authorized returning to play in Washington State.

The WHL’s five U.S. Division teams – the Everett Silvertips, Portland Winterhawks, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs, and Tri-City Americans – will only play games with teams within the US Division.

The 2020-21 WHL Regular Season schedule for the U.S. Division will be announced at a later date.

The WHL has developed an extensive set of protocols to not only provide a safe environment for players and staff, but to protect residents of Washington State in the community. Further details on these protocols will be announced at a later date.

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

Additionally WHL teams in Alberta will resume play effective Friday, February 26.

“The WHL appreciates the support we have received from Alberta Health as we work towards a safe return to play in the province,” WHL Commissioner Ron Robison said in a January 28th statement.

“With our extensive protocols and the necessary approvals now in place, we are looking forward to play getting underway in Alberta and allowing our players to continue their development at the highest level in the Canadian system,” Robinson said.

The five team Central Division - Red Deer Rebels, Edmonton Oil Kings, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Medicine Hat Tigers, and Calgary Hitmen - will play all of their games in Alberta.

No schedule has been released.

Meanwhile there is no firm date as to when the Eastern Division teams in Saskatchewan and Manitoba will resume play. The Moose Jaw Warriors are part of the Eastern Division.

Media reports originating out of Winnipeg this past week stated a deal had been cut with the Province to allow resumption of the season with teams in both provinces playing in a bubble atmosphere out of Regina. All competitors would be isolated during play and stay at dorms at the University of Regina according to the reports.

However the next day Premier Scott Moe said he was unaware of any such deal between the Province and the league something the WHL said they were unaware of as well.

No word has been given as to when the WHL’s BC based teams will be returning to play.