Photo courtesy of Randy Feere / Medicine Hat Tigers

By Scott Roblin

WHL Hockey

WHL tentative start date pushed back to early December

Aug 6, 2020 | 3:41 PM

CALGARY, AB – Puck drop on the 2020-21 Western Hockey League season has been pushed back by two months as the league looks to secure approvals to return to the ice.

The WHL announced on Thursday that the anticipated opening night for the upcoming season has been moved to December 4.

They say this will allow the league to have additional time to work with government and health authorities to resolve a number of logistical hurdles such as spectator limits and border crossings.

Before Thursday’s announcement, the WHL had tentatively planned on opening its 2020-21 season on October 2.

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Despite puck drop getting pushed back, there is optimism from the WHL that a full 68-game season will be possible with playoffs beginning in early May and the Memorial Cup tournament following in June.

In a statement, WHL commissioner Ron Robison said there aren’t any plans to play a shortened season come the winter.

“Regardless of our start date, the WHL is committed to playing a full regular season and playoffs in 2020-21,” said Robison. “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.”

The Ontario Hockey League made a similar announcement on Wednesday, targeting a December 1 start date with a reduced 64-game regular season.

As part of the WHL’s release, a 2020-21 season will still be contingent on receiving proper approvals from government and health authorities in each of the league’s six provinces and American states.