WHL would need fans at arenas for 2020-21 season to happen: Commissioner

The WHL is aiming to begin its season in the fall, but it would need to have fans in the seats in order to do so.

WHL Commissioner Ron Robison said the league has set a minimum requirement of 50 per cent capacity in their arenas to play games.

“As a spectator driven league, we need spectators in order to make it work and that is a key criteria,” Robison said. “If in the event 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. We need that spectator capacity matter to be resolved before we can commence play but we are confident we are going to get there.”

In Saskatchewan, the COVID-19 re-open plan wouldn’t allow for large crowds, like those that are seen at WHL games, until Phase 5 which isn’t expected until June 2021.

“Our intention is to simply enter in discussions with government health authorities to understand better what their position is, they need to understand what our position is and how we arrive at a point that is going to allow us to move forward in a safe and responsible manner,” Robinson explained.

Like sports leagues around the world, the WHL’s 2019-20 season was forced to stop prematurely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the league making the announcement in March.

Robison said the league and teams have had to make cuts due to the financial uncertainty during the pandemic.

“We’ve had to reduce our operations overall both at the league and club level,” he said.

There are two major criteria the league needs to achieve to return to play – show it can return in a safe and responsibility manner in all jurisdictions and to arrive at a capacity that will allow teams to resume operations.

Robison also said the league will need the go-ahead from all six of its jurisdictions – Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, B.C., Washington, Oregon – to move ahead with their plan.

“If we feel that there is one jurisdiction that is perhaps weeks away or a short period of time away, we might consider how we could schedule around that. Our position is we want all jurisdictions up and running,” Robison said. “We need access to the training facilities, the ability to play home games and that’s going to be critical.”

The closure of the Canada-U.S. border has been extended until at least July 21 and there’s no timeline on when it will open up again is also being closely monitored.

“This is something that will be a very fluid discussion that will take place into August and potentially September before we can make a final determination on our schedule,” Robinson said.

The intention is to play a full 68-game season, even if the start date is pushed back.

“That is a clear direction that we want to achieve,” Robison said. “We believe there is a way to do that and accomplish that provided we can modify playoffs and also get the co-operation to from the Canadian Hockey League to adjust the dates of the Memorial Cup.”

Once they reach the requirements from provinces and local health authorities, it can begin working out the details about how a return to play will look, including testing the players for COVID-19, according to Robinson.