The Red Deer Rebels are now slated for a return to WHL game action in January (Photo: Rob Wallator)

By Troy Gillard

return to play

Western Hockey League announces Jan. 8 start date for 2020-21 regular season

Oct 14, 2020 | 4:24 PM

The Western Hockey League has announced that its 2020-21 Regular Season is now scheduled to open on Friday, January 8, 2021.

In a release, the league said it continues to work with each of the governments and health authorities from the provinces and states where its teams are located on obtaining the necessary approvals to commence play.

The league says all Regular Season games during the 2020-21 season will be played exclusively within the boundaries of each of its four divisions, which will have a slightly different look.

The Central Division, for example, will consist only of the five Alberta-based teams while the Swift Current Broncos move back to play in the East Division for 2020-21.

Details regarding the schedule of games in each of the four WHL Divisions will be announced at a later date.

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“The WHL is very excited to be opening our WHL Regular Season on January 8,” said WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “The WHL is a world-class development league and we remain fully committed to providing our players with the highest level of training, coaching, and competition in the system.”

All WHL players will be reporting to their respective teams following the Christmas break where they will begin training in preparation for the opening of the WHL Regular Season on January 8.

The league says a final determination has not yet been made as to whether spectators will be permitted to attend WHL games as this will be subject to the approval of the Health Authorities in each jurisdiction.

The WHL also announced today it has appointed Dr. Dhiren Naidu of Edmonton as the WHL Chief Medical Advisor. Dr. Naidu, an Associate Professor at the University of Alberta and Head Team Physician for the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers and CFL’s Edmonton Football Team, served as the NHL Medical Director for the NHL hub, which just concluded in Edmonton. Dr. Naidu will be assisting the WHL with the implementation of its comprehensive health and safety protocol, in consultation with Provincial and State Health Authorities.

(with file from WHL media release)