The WHL is targeting an October 2nd start to the 2020-21 regular season as the league looks to resume play after being shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commissioner Ron Robison says that start date is conditional on approvals from health authorities in all six jurisdictions the WHL operates in – B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba in Canada, as well as Washington and Oregon in the United States.
“If we feel there is one jurisdiction a few weeks away, we may consider how we can schedule around that,” Robison said during a conference call with media on Thursday.
Another key point he says is a requirement that teams be allowed to bring in spectators up to at least 50 per cent of capacity in arenas in order to generate revenue.
“In the event that we can’t get to a certain spectator level to allow our teams to operate then we won’t be in a position to start play. We need the spectator capacity matter resolved before we can commence play,” Robison said. “We are confident we are going to get there.”
In B.C. for instance, large gatherings at sporting events and concerts are part of Phase 4 of the province’s restart plan, which is conditional on either a vaccine, community immunity or broad successful treatments.
“Anything is possible. The schedule might look a whole lot different a in a couple months,” Robison added, noting that right now, the WHL is committed to a full 68-game regular season irrespective of when it begins. “We have to remain very flexible as a league.”
“We have to look at this entirely different than what we have previous seasons. That might involve modified playoffs but our priority is to get as many regular seasons games in.”
WHL training camps are set to begin on September 15, in anticipation for the October 2 regular season start date.
Health Officials unsure when fans will be allowed in WHL arenas
The question of fans in the stands by October was put to B.C. health officials during their COVID-19 update on Thursday.
Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry says she understands that there are many leagues that depend on gate receipts to keep them going.
“I can’t say right now weather having fans in the seats is something that will be be possible in the fall,” she said. “What i will tell you is that I’m part of the WHO group that has been developing guidance around this including guidance that has been used by the Bundesliga and other leagues around the world.”
“I can’t predict what we are going to be like in the fall, but it is hopeful that that might be an option at some point.”
Health Minister Adrian Dix added that people have continued to make sacrifices including not being able to visit people in care homes, noting the rules are there for everybody to follow.
“People in B.C. love the WHL but I would say that the rules that we are talking about which have to be applied fairly and to everybody are there for the safety of everybody,” he said Thursday. “Its not to ruin anybody’s fun or anyone’s particular organization or circumstance, they are there because we are in a world pandemic where there’s no vaccine and no cure.”
