WHL return to play plan still under review for B.C.

Feb 25, 2021 | 3:45 PM

The Western Hockey League’s plan to start play with hubs in Kelowna and Kamloops for B.C. teams is still being discussed by Interior Health and provincial health officials.

British Columbia is the last jurisdiction where the league plays that has not an approved plan.

Interior Health Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Albert de Villiers said he was in conversation on Wednesday with provincial counterparts.

“I think they can make it work, with the current plans they have in place,” de Villiers said. “If the plan meets Dr. Bonnie Henry’s criteria it can work, but it’s up to the province.”

One of the concerns for Interior Health is not just the safety of players, coaches and officials.

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“There are some concerns from our point of view, in that it might send a message that certain people can do things and other people cannot, but if they have a good plan, they might be able to do it” de Villiers noted.

The double bubble format being proposed is for a five-team B.C. division with a 24-game season.

The plan is thought to be similar to what has been approved for the East Division – Manitoba and Saskatchewan, where teams will play in Regina.

The league states the following protocols are being taken:

The WHL will implement an ongoing weekly private PCR testing strategy. If a WHL club 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 club 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 screenings as well as 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 participating on ice for games and practices. WHL coaches will be required to wear masks at all times, including while conducting practice and while behind the bench during games.

The Central and U.S. divisions would not use the hub city format, but would have a few other rules around the number of games per week and days off between games.

Start dates:

Central Division – Feb. 26, 2021: Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer
East Division – March 12, 2021: Brandon, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Winnipeg
U.S. Division – March 18, 2021: Everett, Portland, Seattle, Spokane, Tri-City
B.C. Division – unknown: Kamloops, Kelowna, Prince George, Vancouver, Victoria

The league is responsible for covering all of the additional associated costs.

by Kevin Rothwell

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