WHL makes ‘commitment’ for 24-game season, start date to be determined

The Western Hockey League announced Friday night that its board of governors has “made a commitment” to conduct a 24-game regular season for 202021, though many details — including a start date — are still to be hammered out.

“The Western Hockey League is committed to providing a season for WHL players,” WHL Commissioner Ron Robison said in a release from the league. “This commitment ensures WHL players will receive the opportunity to compete at the highest level in the system and continue to pursue their hockey goals in the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players.”

The release adds that a start date will be determined once the league receives final approval from health authorities in each of its six jurisdictions (Alberta, B.C. Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Washington and Oregon).

With ensuring a season being the primary goal, the release says all models and schedule formats are being considered.

The WHL previously set three attempted start dates — all of which were postponed — with Jan. 8 being the one most recently scratched off the calendar.