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WHL season kicks off February 26

Jan 28, 2021 | 3:26 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB– After delaying the start of the 2021 WHL season due to COVID, the WHL has announced its new start date of Friday, February 26, 2021.

Five WHL teams in Alberta will form the Central Division, playing a 24-game Regular Season, with teams including the Red Deer Rebels, Edmonton Oil Kings, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Medicine Hat Tigers, and Calgary Hitmen.

The league has agreed to the province`s terms of staying and playing within Alberta.

This schedule will allow for a maximum of one opponent per week, with a five-day break prior to playing a new opponent, and games will be played on weekends and consist of home-and-home games only.

“The WHL appreciates the support we have received from Alberta Health as we work towards a safe return to play in the province,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison.

“With our extensive protocols and the necessary approvals now in place, we are looking forward to play getting underway in Alberta and allowing our players to continue their development at the highest level in the Canadian system,” adds Robison.

The other divisions in the league consist of the East Division, B.C. Division, and the U.S. Division.

League officials say they will implement an ongoing weekly private PCR testing strategy, enhanced screening, regular temperature screenings as well as symptom monitoring through the WHL Athlete RMS Mobile Application.

The WHL has stated fans will not be in attendance.