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WHL Commish Ron Robison on media call this afternoon:
Starts by clarifying Jan. 8 is not a place holder.
“That is a firm start date, not a tentative date. As we work with jurisdictions on final touches…we will continue to do that and finalize details around our schedule.”
Starts by clarifying Jan. 8 is not a place holder.
“That is a firm start date, not a tentative date. As we work with jurisdictions on final touches…we will continue to do that and finalize details around our schedule.”
Expects more complete scheduling details to come out in November as different jurisdictions get worked out. Anticipates a short pre-season schedule ahead of opening night.
Start date Jan. 8. Concluding date May 2. Allows for up to 50 game regular season.
Re: 50% capacity
"That's our objective...but that will be determined by the health authorities." Conversation is ongoing, looking for clarification soon. Number could be significantly lower.
"That's our objective...but that will be determined by the health authorities." Conversation is ongoing, looking for clarification soon. Number could be significantly lower.
BC Cohorts currently allowing four teams to play at a time before a break. Challenging situation with only 5 teams in BC Division. Hoping that evolves by January, but if that's still in place will have to adapt (eg. cohorts of 2 and 3 teams for weeks at a time)
Haven't got to discussion of playoffs yet. Inter-conference play dependent on border opening. If it would be as usual leading up to Memorial Cup or a different format remains to be seen.
Re: financial challenge on teams
"Difficult situation. I admire the commitment of ownership and the teams to making this happen for players...limited capacity will cause challenges."
Says they're not at risk of losing any franchises.
"Difficult situation. I admire the commitment of ownership and the teams to making this happen for players...limited capacity will cause challenges."
Says they're not at risk of losing any franchises.
Detour to Portland Winterhawks sale situation...still with receiver, not as far along as league would like. Has been several viable groups interested in ownership, hoping to resolve that soon.
Interprovincial travel in East Division with SK/MB
Health officials have been very helpful. It's an area they're working through, but that's part of reason why they can't go any further on a schedule yet as they need more to be resolved between the provinces.
Health officials have been very helpful. It's an area they're working through, but that's part of reason why they can't go any further on a schedule yet as they need more to be resolved between the provinces.
Protocols in place for handling positive COVID-19 case, including what to do with player, who to isolate team, and what to do with the schedule.
If any particular jurisdiction (prov/state) doesn't allow enough fans to make it viable, league will be asking for support to make it work. Robison didn't specify but I assume this means government funding.
League has committed to entire regular season being played within divisions. No chance that things will open up before playoffs.
Re: QMJHL's challenges
Lots of dialogue and sharing of procedures. Monitoring situation closely to see how things can best be handled.
Lots of dialogue and sharing of procedures. Monitoring situation closely to see how things can best be handled.
In event fans can't be accommodated, Robison says streaming service will be available. Doesn't plan on requesting funding from states/provinces unless projections for attendance can't be reached in that particular jurisdiction.
Multiple references to Dr. Dhiren Naidu of Edmonton, new WHL Chief Medical Advisor who is helping oversee situation.
Dr. Naidu served as NHL Medical Director for the hub that has recently been completed. Also serves as Head Team Physician for Oilers and Edmonton Football Team.
Dr. Naidu served as NHL Medical Director for the hub that has recently been completed. Also serves as Head Team Physician for Oilers and Edmonton Football Team.
On committing to crowning a champion:
Nothing certain in that respect yet. Will take things as they come...open to whatever situation presents itself, including naming four division champions if that's only option. Hopes to complete playoffs and send team to Memorial Cup in Ont
Nothing certain in that respect yet. Will take things as they come...open to whatever situation presents itself, including naming four division champions if that's only option. Hopes to complete playoffs and send team to Memorial Cup in Ont
The Sports Hobo @lpunkari with a good question on imports returning to Canada
Working with Health Canada on how to properly coordinate that process, league needs to cooperate with all jurisdictions for that to happen. Hopes things come together on that quickly.
Working with Health Canada on how to properly coordinate that process, league needs to cooperate with all jurisdictions for that to happen. Hopes things come together on that quickly.
Memorial Cup scheduled to start in the middle of June. Backed up one month to allow more time. Determination on Memorial Cup and playoffs still to come in consultation with CHL.
Academics were a key part of January start. No plans at this point for players to play games in other leagues (Jr. A) between now and January, but meetings coming with GMs to solidify plan next week.
May consider more double headers and back-to-backs in certain jurisdictions for scheduling purposes, but all games will be played in the team's cities. No hubs will be used.
Re: new streaming service
Working hard to provide the best package they can for fans, while also making sure it's affordable for families.
Working hard to provide the best package they can for fans, while also making sure it's affordable for families.
Pay-to-play format happening in other leagues, any thoughts of that here?
"No, WHL is responsible for 100% of player expenses. That's the arrangement and we intend to honour that. We have a commitment through player agreement, and that's the model. Have to admire ownership..."
"No, WHL is responsible for 100% of player expenses. That's the arrangement and we intend to honour that. We have a commitment through player agreement, and that's the model. Have to admire ownership..."
Owners have made it clear they're committed to the players and their development. They're prepared to meet commitment despite financial implications. Re-affirms admiration for owners resolving to make it work.
Key dates will need to change, eg. trade deadline of Jan. 10 doesn't make sense anymore, camps will need to be shorter, etc. All this still to be sorted out.
Testing process
"We have an extensive screening process that we'll go through, but we're not sure what our testing requirements will be. Certainly at the start of the season there will be testing, and if symptoms show there will be testing and isolation as we go."
"We have an extensive screening process that we'll go through, but we're not sure what our testing requirements will be. Certainly at the start of the season there will be testing, and if symptoms show there will be testing and isolation as we go."
Dr. Naidu's role
"A resource for us. We'll benefit from his experience in this particular area. Will be very important in determining what our final process looks like."
"A resource for us. We'll benefit from his experience in this particular area. Will be very important in determining what our final process looks like."
Question re: Ontario government proposing non-contact for OHL in return to play plan.
"I don't envision we'll be having any discussions like that out west."
"I don't envision we'll be having any discussions like that out west."
Back to players in Jr. A, with reference to younger players like Mateychuk, Geekie in MJHL.
If they were affiliated last year, they're eligible to play now. However that's something that will be discussed further with GMs next week.
If they were affiliated last year, they're eligible to play now. However that's something that will be discussed further with GMs next week.
(fin)
