The WHL has announced a return to play protocol for 2020-2021 and Commissioner Ron Robison says they have been working very diligently on the protocol. He says they have been in consultation with their clubs, their various committees, with Hockey Canada, the NHL and CHL to work towards a document that would be comprehensive enough to present to the various provincial and state governments, in each of the six jurisdictions of WHL territory.

Robison says they are in the early stages with the intention to present those plans to governments and health authorities as soon as possible. Robison says a clear direction they wish to achieve is a 68 game regular season. He explains they’re not certain when the start date will be, but they have targeted October 2nd as their opening date, however, that will be entirely dependent on the discussions that occur with governments and health authorities in each of their jurisdictions.

Robinson states the position they have taken is that they need all jurisdictions including the 4 western provinces, Washington and Oregon to be ready to go in order to start the season. He says this may require them to consider a later start date. Robinson says the objective is to play a full regular season game and then determine what the playoff picture would look like from there.