The Western Hockey League announced Tuesday that they have suspended operations for the Edmonton Oil Kings, Red Deer Rebels and the Moose Jaw Warriors. This comes as staff and players have been added to the league’s COVID-19 protocol after showing symptoms or having tested positive for the virus. Five regular-season WHL games will be rescheduled for a later date, none of which involve the Saskatoon Blades or the Prince Albert Raiders.
Below is the press release from the Western Hockey League:
The Western Hockey League announced today the pausing of team activities for the Edmonton Oil Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors and Red Deer Rebels as a result of multiple players and staff being added to the WHL COVID-19 Protocol List due to exhibiting symptoms or having tested positive for COVID-19.
The WHL is working in consultation with the WHL Chief Medical Officer regarding the matter concerning the Edmonton Oil Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors, and Red Deer Rebels. At this time, the Edmonton Oil Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors, and Red Deer Rebels have paused all team activities, including on-ice practices and off-ice training, pending further test results. Additional test results are pending and the WHL will provide further information when it is available.
As a result of the pausing team activities for the three Clubs listed above, the following five WHL Regular Season Games have been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date:
Friday, January 7
The WHL is working in consultation with the WHL Chief Medical Officer regarding the matter concerning the Edmonton Oil Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors, and Red Deer Rebels. At this time, the Edmonton Oil Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors, and Red Deer Rebels have paused all team activities, including on-ice practices and off-ice training, pending further test results. Additional test results are pending and the WHL will provide further information when it is available.
As a result of the pausing team activities for the three Clubs listed above, the following five WHL Regular Season Games have been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date:
Friday, January 7
- Moose Jaw at Lethbridge
- Edmonton at Red Deer
Saturday, January 8
- Moose Jaw at Medicine Hat
- Lethbridge at Red Deer
Sunday, January 9
- Edmonton at Medicine Hat
No other WHL Clubs are impacted at this time.
The health and safety of all WHL participants is the top priority for the WHL. In order to reduce the risk of exposure to and transmission of COVID-19, the WHL requires all WHL roster players, hockey operations staff, and other team and League office personnel to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a Health Canada approved vaccine.
In accordance with WHL policy, the Edmonton Oil Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors, Red Deer Rebels, and WHL will not be providing comment or identifying the individuals concerned.
The health and safety of all WHL participants is the top priority for the WHL. In order to reduce the risk of exposure to and transmission of COVID-19, the WHL requires all WHL roster players, hockey operations staff, and other team and League office personnel to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a Health Canada approved vaccine.
In accordance with WHL policy, the Edmonton Oil Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors, Red Deer Rebels, and WHL will not be providing comment or identifying the individuals concerned.
