12/16/2020
Calgary, Alta. – Yesterday the Western Hockey League announced that it will delay the start of it’s 2020-21 regular season. A meeting with the Board of Governors is planned for January to discuss other possible start dates.
This news comes a few months after the league initially stated that they were planning to drop the puck on January 8th, but due to public health restrictions in place across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest U.S., they could not start the season as originally hoped.
The WHL has stated that they will continue to work with Government and Health Authorities in their region as they consider schedule options for the 2020-21 WHL Regular Season. The WHL have developed a series of protocols in consultation with health authorities that are necessary to protect WHL players, staff, officials, and fans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We continue to make every effort to get our season started, but our first priority has always been the health and safety of our players, and everyone associated with the WHL,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “Given the public health restrictions that are currently in effect, we are not in a position to determine a new target date for our season. We will continue to consult with health authorities to determine when it is safe and responsible to get our season started.”
Five teams in the WHL call the Pacific Northwest home and four of them, the Seattle Thunderbirds, Everett Silvertips, Tri-City Americans, and Spokane Chiefs reside in the state of Washington.
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Russell is the Content Director for the Eli Network. He studied broadcast journalism at Eastern Oregon and North Dakota State University. Mostly covers soccer and basketball in the Seattle area and is the current play-by-play voice for Seattle Redhawks basketball. You can follow him @brussbrwn.
