WHL pushes back targeted start date to Dec. 4

By Medicine Hat News on August 7, 2020.

The Western Hockey League has revised the targeted start date in its return-to-play protocol, pushing back its projected opening day from Oct. 2 to Dec. 4.

The league made the announcement in a Thursday press release, one day after the Ontario Hockey League announced it was aiming for a Dec. 2 start to its 2020-21 season.

“As part of the WHL’s commitment to the health and safety of its players, officials, staff and fans, the opening date of the regular season remains contingent on receiving the necessary approvals from the government and health authorities in each of the six provincial / state jurisdictions in WHL territory,” reads the release. “By adjusting the start date for its regular season to early December, the WHL will have additional time to work with government and health authorities to resolve (several) important issues.”

Those issues include player, staff and fan safety, spectator capacities and border crossings.

WHL commissioner Ron Robison stated in a June media conference that the league plans on holding a full 68-game season and subsequent playoffs with all 22 member clubs involved. Robison also expressed the league’s desire to operate with at least 50 per cent fan capacity at arenas.

“Regardless of our start date, the WHL is committed to playing a full regular season and playoffs in 2020-21,” Robison states in Thursday’s release. “In our discussions with the government and health authorities, it has become apparent that additional time is required to ensure we can return to play in a safe and responsible manner. Our WHL health and safety protocols have been well received by the health authorities but we have several key issues that we will need to reach a resolution on in the coming months.”

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