WHL, Pats’ Paddock believe in obligation to get players back on the ice

The WHL believes it’s important to hit the ice for a 2020-21 season to help young hockey players develop and not miss out on a full season.

In an emailed statement, the league said the league provides a development opportunity for many young hockey stars.

“Unlike professional athletes, WHL players are amateur athletes who find themselves at a critical juncture, working to develop their skills in an effort to one day attain their goals of competing professionally. To facilitate that continued development, returning to play is important and the WHL is going to exhaust all options in order to do so,” the league said.

Regina Pats general manager and vice-president of hockey operations John Paddock joined the Green Zone on Monday and echoed those thoughts.

“There’s going to be financial hits everywhere throughout the league, that’s beyond doubt, but it’s important for the players to give them an opportunity. It’s our obligation to give them an opportunity to improve their game, to get looked at and get drafted if possible,” Paddock said.

The league’s 2020-21 season was delayed because of COVID-19. The WHL had set Jan. 8 as another start date, but had to push it back due to ongoing restrictions resulting from the pandemic.

On Friday, the league announced it was committed to holding a ’20-21 campaign. A start date hasn’t been determined as the league needs to get approval from the provincial and state health authorities where its teams are located.

Paddock said he hasn’t seen a schedule yet but a conference call is being set up to go over things.

“There’s not going to be much of crossing the border if anything. I think that’s ruled out by where things stand with Canada and allowing people from the U.S. in that aren’t Canadian citizens,” Paddock said.

He also said a bubble doesn’t appear to be on the table right now.

“I do think the league and the teams are going to be flexible in whatever can be done to get these games in at some point so all cards can be on the table at different times,” Paddock said.

Paddock said the long layoff for players is going to affect everyone in some way, not just WHL players.

“There’s a small percentage that actually sign pro contracts and play; most end up going to school. It impacts each age group in a hockey way and a different way. I think it was a horrible feeling last year for the season how it ended but it was extra horrible for Robbie Holmes, Austin Pratt and Zach Wytinck, our overage players,” Paddock said.

This year, the Pats’ overage players are forward Carson Denomie, defenceman Kyle Walker and goaltender Roddy Ross.

“Their careers are coming to an end for that part,” Paddock said. “For somebody else that’s eligible for the draft this year, it’s a different sort of dynamic that’s driving it. And Conner (Bedard) is just getting his career started so it impacts everybody without question.”

Paddock said Bedard, who was the first WHL player ever to be granted exceptional status, is disappointed he hasn’t been able to join the team.

“He would have been in Regina shortly after if the draft was regular and the pandemic hadn’t hit,” Paddock said. “It’s been a bizarre start to his career so he definitely wants to get playing games. He can’t wait for me to tell him not just an hypothetical date.”