It’s taken almost a full year and it still is a very bumpy ride as the BC Division still is TBD when it comes to a schedule, but the Central Division will kick it off in a day. By next week, you’ll see scores for the first time since March 8, 2020 and it will hail from the Central Division. March 18 will be the first battle in the US Division as Portland travels to Kennewick to face the Tri City Americans.
A tweet from Craig West of the Americans offered a potential lottery for fans being allowed into the Toyota Center. At this point, the maximum appears to be 100 and that remains very fluid, so it may not even happen. What will happen, barring any further complications, is that some sort of season will start.
Already, the Portland Winterhawks have posted a video with a few players looking to play again.
The Central Division is set to begin on Friday February 26 with games listed up until March 6. They are working on scheduling those games further out.
On the US Side, games are set to start March 18 and carry through Tuesday May 11. To be safe, they have Portland playing in Kent, Washington as a home team for 12 games, and against Seattle as the Visitor 3 times. They have, however, left several games for Portland as TBD if they are able to have Portland play in Oregon. Currently they are not able to do so and as a result, Kent, WA is listed.
The other issues are in Calgary Saddledome and Edmonton Rogers Arena where the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers play NHL hockey. With the current return to play protocols and keeping everything apart, Edmonton would play at the Downtown Community Arena and Calgary would play at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex & Jim Starlight Centre.
They have not announced the schedule for the Eastern Division where all seven teams in that Division would play a bubble in Regina at the Brandt Centre and practice within the complex at the Community Sports Arena.
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today the launch of the all-new WHL Live on CHL TV, set to bring WHL fans all the best action during the 2020-21 WHL Regular Season.
The brand-new WHL Live on CHL TV will deliver a high-quality viewing experience on a completely re-imagined and re-designed platform with improved customer experience for WHL fans across the country to enjoy.
“The WHL is very excited to introduce WHL Live on CHL TV – a brand new way for hockey fans to experience WHL hockey in the comfort of their own homes, “ commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “We believe WHL Live on CHL TV will deliver a much improved viewing experience for fans who enjoy following the WHL.”
As a thank you to the greatest fans in hockey, the WHL is pleased to offer free views for all WHL home openers, beginning Friday, February 26 when the Red Deer Rebels play host to the Medicine Hat Tigers. Visit WHL.ca for further schedule details.
For only $59.99, WHL fans can enjoy full access to all scheduled games throughout the 2020-21 WHL Regular Season, beginning Friday, February 26, when the Central Division initiates the WHL’s return to the ice. If a 24-hour pass is more your flavour, WHL Live has you covered with a 24-hour access pass for only $6.99, which delivers you scheduled games as well as access to archived games.
WHL Live is the best way to enjoy the speed and skill of WHL hockey from the comfort of your living room. In addition to live gameplay featuring the biggest stars from across the WHL, the all-new WHL Live on CHL TV will feature free-to-access video-on-demand content and a user interface that is both pleasing to the eye and easy to navigate.
Getting access to WHL Live on CHL TV is as simple as heading over to watch.CHL.ca on your web browser, selecting your package and downloading the brand-new app on your preferred device. WHL Live on CHL TV packages will be available for purchase beginning Wednesday, February 24.
WHL Live Package Pricing
2020-21 – All-Access: $59.99
2020-21 – 24-hour Access: $6.99
*all prices in Canadian dollars
2020-21 WHL Regular Season Start Dates
Central Division – Friday, February 26
East Division – Friday, March 12
U.S. Division – Thursday, March 18
B.C. Division – TBD
When the puck drops, WHL Live on CHL TV will be available through your favourite web browser, iOS, and Android devices.
Due to challenging circumstances surrounding the unprecedented season, only home audio will be available on WHL Live streams during the 2020-21 WHL Regular Season.
The WHL has developed an extensive set of protocols, to not only provide a safe environment for players and staff, but to protect individuals in the community. The WHL will implement an ongoing weekly private antigen testing strategy.
Enhanced screening for all WHL players, billets, team staff and officials will take place on a daily basis, including regular temperature screenings as well as symptom monitoring through the WHL Athlete RMS Mobile Application. When participating in games and practices, WHL players must wear gaiter-style masks while on the bench. WHL Officials will be required to wear gaiter masks when on the ice. WHL coaches and other team personnel will be required to wear masks at all times, including while conducting practice and while behind the bench during games.
As the WHL returns to play in the U.S. Division, no spectators will be permitted to enter WHL facilities.
The Portland Winterhawks sent out an email to season ticketholders that mirrors the one sent out last week from the Prince Albert Raiders with the heavy discount for people when using the access code they will be sent. In the meantime, people can watch the home openers for free through the platform.
The QMJHL released its sixth bubble event composing of three teams per bubble and four arenas in an attempt to keep things tight. The schedule from March 19-25 will have games from Friday to Sunday and Tuesday to Thursday.
The Ontario Hockey League is still pressing for an opening date. In recent days they had hoped to be in operation in early April, but as yet have not announced anything.
In the meantime though it certainly won’t be a smooth ride, there is hockey on the horizon in the coming days!
