Blazers forward Connor Zary parks himself in front during a game against the Edmonton Oil Kings last season (Image Credit: Allen Douglas / Kamloops Blazers)

By Chad Klassen

WHL SEASON

Blazers optimistic about shortened season with safety protocols in line with Alberta’s

Jan 29, 2021 | 5:08 PM

KAMLOOPS — A day after the Alberta government approved the start of the Western Hockey League season in that province, there is some more optimism about the prospect of B.C. Division play next month.

“We were very excited that Alberta did make the decision that it did,” said Blazers COO Don Moores. “We’re very happy because the protocols that we have in place in the Western Hockey League I think are really good. Obviously, the Alberta government recognized that.”

The five WHL teams in Alberta benefitted from the successes of the NHL playoffs and World Junior Hockey Championships, both played in a bubble in Edmonton. The revised Central Division, only including Alberta teams, won’t play in a bubble. Starting on Feb. 26, they will play two-game weekend series against one another before a five-day break, with weekly COVID-19 testing before the weekend games.

“The guys have waited for a long time. They trained. They were always hopeful they would get going. It’s a big step for the province to give us a chance,” said Medicine Hat Tigers head coach Willie Desjardins. “It’s great by our owners to help us out here because we won’t get any fans, so it’s certainly going to be an expense for them.”

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Moores says the promising aspect to the Alberta approval is the fact health and safety protocols are similar across the four Western provinces and two U.S. states.

“We’re certainly hoping that the health ministry in B.C. will recognize that our protocols are right in line with Alberta and we’re ready to go,” he noted. “Of course, it’s the health and safety of our players and coaches that’s the most important thing, so all of those things, we think the boxes have been checked off and we’re excited about it.”

Moores notes the Blazers and other B.C. Division teams have learned from the NHL and world junior bubble experiments. He also points out playing Kelowna or Prince George two or three times in a row is similar to how the NHL is operating its current season without a bubble.

“That’s a very similar case. The Canucks played Ottawa three games in a row in the same place, so we’re following that because a lot of the COVID policies really want you to take that break, and we understand that part of it, so that’s easily workable for us and we’d be happy to do that.”

The Blazers and the four other B.C. teams are eagerly await the Feb. 8 date when it’s expected Dr. Bonnie Henry will announce whether current restrictions are lifted or remain in place.