Is the WHL headed for a bubble format in BC?

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However, things may be executed differently here in British Columbia.

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“I think there’s an excellent possibility that we’re going to be exploring all different options, including travelling around like a normal mini-season,” said Beesley in a Zoom interview with CKPGToday.ca Friday morning. “But very potentially the possibility of everyone going to a bubble and playing, similar to what the NHL has done in the past.”

While teams are still hoping to be able to play out of their home arenas, the province’s five teams are pitching their list of ideas to the Province and its health office.

“I think in terms of what we’re proposing is the traditional protected environment would be our preferred way to go. What I mean by that is each team would be in their own community, their own rink, and travelling around, kind of like normal except for in a very protected environment,” explained Beesley.

“In essence, each team is in their own bubble. I think we’re also saying to the BC health authorities that if that doesn’t work and it works better for us to be in a bubble, we’re open to it. We just want to play.”

In the event of a bubble, Kamloops or Kelowna would be the logical options with their central locations from the other teams in the province. However, with five teams being housed over 60 days, the expectation would be for the arena to exclusively be hosting the WHL, eliminating the rest of possible traffic coming in and out. But, for those wondering when they’ll be able to see the Prince George Cougars back on the ice, there will still be a wait once they are given the green light.

“I think we’ll be delayed from what Alberta is doing because once we are given the green light, it’s a full 28 days lead time that we’ll need,” says Beesley.

“There are quarantining periods for the players, both where they are right now and once when they get to Prince George there’s another quarantine period. There’s a gradual return to play. It’s a very methodical and scientifically thought out Return to Play plan. So I would say that we will be several weeks, if not a month behind Alberta. But where BC’s at right now, we’re very hopeful that because Alberta has been approved with the same Return to Play protocol that BC has, we think there’s going to be somewhat of an appetite from the BC health authorities to take a serious look at this and really consider giving us the green light soon.”