WHL commits to 24-game 2021 season

The Western Hockey League committed to a 24-game regular season, the league announced Friday.

"The Western Hockey League is committed to providing a season for WHL players," commissioner Ron Robison said. "This commitment ensures WHL players will receive the opportunity to compete at the highest level in the system and continue to pursue their hockey goals in the world's finest development league for junior hockey players."

A start date will be determined once final approval is received from health officials in all provinces and states with teams.

The WHL has Canadian franchises in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, as well as American teams in Washington and Oregon.

All three leagues in the CHL canceled their 2019-20 seasons in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in North America. The WHL initially targeted a Jan. 8 start for the 2021 campaign but health and travel restrictions across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest continue to delay the process.

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