Connor Zary taking a face-off against the Seattle Thunderbirds last season (Image Credit: Allen Douglas / Kamloops Blazers)

By Chad Klassen

WHL RETURN TO PLAY

WHL arenas would need to be filled to minimum 50 per cent capacity for season to start

Jun 18, 2020 | 5:16 PM

KAMLOOPS — WHL Commissioner Ron Robison knows an Oct. 2 start date may be aspirational.

But much can change in the next four months, and as we get closer to that target date, we’ll know for sure if it’s a reality.

“The position that we have taken is that we need all six jurisdictions — the four Western provinces and Washington and Oregon — ready to go in order to start our season,” said Robison during a Zoom media call on Thursday (June 18). “If we feel that there is one jurisdiction that is weeks away or a short period of time away, we might consider how we could schedule around that.”

The league is aiming to play the full 68-game schedule, depending on when the season actually starts. The two biggest factors in the WHL’s Return to Play plan is the health of the players and also the ability to bring in fans at a minimum of 50 per cent capacity at all arenas.

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“As a spectator-driven league, we need spectators in order to make it work,” noted Robison. “In the event that we can’t get to a certain spectator level that will allow our teams to operate, we will not be in a position to start play. So we need that spectator capacity matter to be resolved before we can commence play.”

The other major roadblock is the border closure and how to incorporate the five U.S. Division teams. But Robison says he has discussed a scenario where there would be inter-divisional play to begin the season.

“We’re certainly going to need to be flexible from a scheduling point of view. So stay tuned. We might have a completely different looking schedule that we traditionally have,” he said. “Certainly the border is a major issue for us. We would be prepared to start a schedule within divisions, and then open up over the start of the season, that is something we would certainly take into consideration for sure.”

The WHL will be in constant communication with each health authority to determine the next best move closer to the Oct. 2 date.

“Our position is to enter into discussion with health authorities to better understand what their position is — they need to understand what our position is and how we are going to arrive at a point that allows us to move forward in a safe and responsible manner.”