WHL’s B.C. Division approved for play, season to start March 26

Five teams will form the WHL’s B.C. Division. They are the Kamloops Blazers, Kelowna Rockets, Prince George Cougars, Vancouver Giants and Victoria Royals.

All division games during the 2020-2021 regular season will be played exclusively within the B.C. Division hub centres of Kamloops and Kelowna, under an approved WHL cross-hub centre model.

Three teams – the Kamloops Blazers, Prince George Cougars and Vancouver Giants – will play out of Kamloops.

The Kelowna Rockets and Victoria Royals, meanwhile, will be based out of the hub centre in Kelowna.

Teams will be allowed to travel directly between each B.C. Division hub centre for game play, with no stops permitted between the centres. The division will play a 24-game regular season schedule. That will be announced at a later date.

The games will be played at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops and Prospera Place in Kelowna.

“The WHL has developed an extensive set of protocols and believe the protective cross-Hub environment will provide a high standard of safety, for not only players and staff, but the Kamloops and Kelowna communities at large,” reads a release from the league.

Players and staff from B.C. Division teams will start self-quarantining on March 6 and will then report to their respective hub centres on March 13, where they will be required to undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival, followed by an additional quarantine period.

Players and staff will undergo a second test before being permitted to engage in any team activity.

“WHL Clubs are also committed to providing private PCR testing through DynaLIFE Medical Labs, to ensure no additional strain is placed on public health. All private testing conducted in the B.C.,” reads the release.

“Division will be processed and analyzed at DynaLIFE’s Alberta-based laboratory in Edmonton. DynaLIFE’s PCR testing is considered a gold standard for COVID-19 testing, and was utilized in Edmonton during the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playoffs and the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship.”

The WHL will implement an ongoing weekly private PCR testing strategy. If a team has one or more players or staff test positive for COVID-19 at any point in the season, the club will be required to suspend its activities for a minimum of 14 days.

Enhanced screening for all WHL players, team staff and officials will also take place on a daily basis, including regular temperature checks and symptom monitoring through the WHL Athlete RMS Mobile Application.

Masks must be worn by all WHL players at all times with the exception of when practicing or playing in games. Coaches will be required to wear masks at all times, including when conducting practices and during games.

As well, no spectators will be allowed in the stands or permitted to enter WHL facilities.

Approval for the B.C. Division to play means all 22 WHL clubs will compete during the 2020-2021 regular season.

by Justin Goulet

WHL’s B.C. Division approved for play, season to start March 26

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