The Western Hockey League (WHL) announced on Tuesday that it will delay the start of the 2020-21 WHL Regular Season. The Board of Governors will meet in January to consider potential start dates.

The league has delayed the start of the 2020-21 season two times prior to today’s announcement.

Prince Albert Raiders’ Aliaksei Protas is the only Capitals prospect currently assigned to the WHL. He has been on loan to Dinamo Minsk of the KHL since August 7th. It is expected that Protas will continue playing in the KHL, but could be called back for Capitals training camp.

There have been several unconfirmed reports out of Russia that Protas will now stay with Dinamo Minsk for the entire season.

The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League announced last month that it would not hold any games until early January because of COVID-19 issues. The QMJHL was the only one of three Canadian major junior leagues to open play around its normal start date.

The Ontario Hockey League is targeting February to begin its regular season.

FROM THE WHL

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today it will delay the start of the 2020-21 WHL Regular Season, and following further consultation with regional health authorities, the Board of Governors will meet in January to consider potential start dates.

With public health restrictions in place across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest U.S., the WHL is not in a position to start its Regular Season as planned on January 8.

The WHL will continue to work with Government and Health Authorities in our region as we consider schedule options for the 2020-21 WHL Regular Season. The WHL have developed a series of protocols in consultation with health authorities that are necessary to protect WHL players, staff, officials, and fans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We continue to make every effort to get our season started, but our first priority has always been the health and safety of our players, and everyone associated with the WHL,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “Given the public health restrictions that are currently in effect, we are not in a position to determine a new target date for our season. We will continue to consult with health authorities to determine when it is safe and responsible to get our season started.”