WHL announces mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy

Aug 17, 2021 | 6:48 AM

CALGARY, AB – The Western Hockey League (WHL) has taken action against COVID-19 ahead of the 2021-22 regular season.

The league has announced its decision to implement a mandatory vaccination policy. Effective immediately, all WHL roster players, hockey operations staff and other team and WHL Office personnel, along with officials, must be fully vaccinated with a Health Canada-approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before the start of the regular season.

The 2021-22 campaign begins on Friday, October 1. Locally, the Lethbridge Hurricanes start their regular season on home ice at the ENMAX Centre against the Calgary Hitmen on October 1.

Additionally, the policy will apply to general managers, coaches, head scouts or directors of player personnel, trainers, equipment managers, on-ice and off-ice consultants, on-ice officials and ice level off-ice officials (penalty box attendants; timekeepers and scorekeepers), and any other individuals who interact directly and on a regular basis with players.

WHL Commissioner Ron Robison said, “the health and safety of our player and staff continues to be the number one priority for the WHL.”

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“The policy is designed to further protect our players and staff in the WHL from the potential risk of exposure to COVID-19.”

He continued, “with travel restrictions currently in place with the Canada / U.S. border as well as the province of Manitoba, it is important all players and staff are fully vaccinated in order to be eligible to play a full season in the WHL.”

The league has also “strongly recommended” to each of its clubs that players reside in billet households in which all eligible individuals are fully vaccinated.

by Justin Goulet