B.C. Health Minister says a plan has been approved in principle to allow the Western Hockey League to resume operations in the province.
Speaking in a scrum after Question Period at the B.C. Legislature, Adrian Dix said a ‘series of variances’ are still required from public health authorities, but he said he expects the five teams in the B.C. Division – the Kamloops Blazers, Kelowna Rockets, Prince George Cougars, Vancouver Giants and Victoria Royals – to play this season.
“With respect to the WHL, their proposal has been reviewed and it’s fair to say it’s been accepted,” Dix told reporters. “We hope that the season will proceed.”
The B.C. teams were the only ones without an approval to return-to-play after the 2019-20 season was called off early.
WHL teams in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Washington have been been cleared to play by state and provincial governments and public health authorities. The Portland Winterhawks are also awaiting approval to play in Oregon, though they are going to be back on the ice with the rest of the US teams on Mar. 19.
Alberta-based teams began play on Feb. 26 while the East Division – with teams based in Saskatchewan and Manitoba – have been cleared to play in a bubble in Regina with games starting Mar. 12.
The WHL has not released any details about a potential hub format for B.C. teams in Kamloops and Kelowna or a starting date.
Last week, Interior Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Albert de Villiers told NL News he thinks the proposal and the protocol in place is something that ‘could work’ though he said the final decision would be up to the province.
“I’ll leave that announcement to them. We have been in discussion, I just spoke with Dr. Bonnie Henry [on Feb. 24] and the final call will be from her,” he said.
The approval comes as the BCHL – which has not yet had its return-to-play plan vetted – prepares to meet this week to decide whether its season can go ahead.
Minister Dix “The WHL’s proposal has been reviewed and it’s fair to say it’s been accepted and we hope that the season will proceed.”
— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) March 1, 2021
Here’s the WHL / BCHL talk today from BC Health Minister @adriandix in a scrum this afternoon. Says WHL has been approved in BC… and updates BCHL. Audio courtesy @richardzussman https://t.co/NO0zq6JnTV
— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) March 2, 2021
A source says hurdles remain for a BCHL approval… Minister Dix even referred to it as a “recent proposal”. Some in BCHL have been increasingly vocal while the league reportedly gave the Prov. a Wednesday deadline. Tight timeline.
— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) March 2, 2021
