Cougars’ team activities paused due to COVID-19; more games postponed

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“The WHL and our member Clubs remain fully committed to playing through the 68-game WHL Regular Season schedule and Playoffs,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “As we work through the challenges presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, our priority continues to be to deliver a world-class development experience for WHL players, staff, and officials and to do so in a safe and healthy manner. On behalf of the entire WHL, I wish to thank WHL fans and WHL corporate partners everywhere for their patience as we work to reschedule games in the coming weeks.”

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The WHL is working in consultation with the WHL Chief Medical Officer regarding the matter concerning all Clubs currently paused. At this time, the following Clubs have paused all team activities, including on-ice practices and off-ice training, based on WHL COVID-19 Protocols: Calgary Hitmen, Edmonton Oil Kings, Everett Silvertips, Kamloops Blazers, Medicine Hat Tigers, Moose Jaw Warriors, Prince Albert Raiders, Prince George Cougars Red Deer Rebels, Regina Pats, Saskatoon Blades, Spokane Chiefs, Tri-City Americans, Victoria Royals, Winnipeg ICE.

As a result of the aforementioned WHL Clubs pausing team activities, the following eight (8) WHL Regular Season games have been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date:

Saturday, January 8

Spokane at Seattle

Tuesday, January 11

Calgary at Regina

Prince Albert at Edmonton

Spokane at Victoria

Kelowna at Prince George

Wednesday, January 12

Calgary at Moose Jaw

Spokane at Victoria

Kelowna at Prince George

WHL Clubs are responsible for monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19 among players and hockey operations staff on a daily basis. Upon a player or hockey operations staff member exhibiting symptoms, the individual completes a rapid antigen test and isolates. If the rapid antigen test result is positive, the individual is sent for a PCR test to confirm the positive result and determine next steps.

If there are multiple rapid antigen-positive test results for COVID-19, all team activities are paused immediately. The entire team completes one round of PCR testing and isolates until the results are received and the WHL Chief Medical Officer is made aware of the situation. The WHL, in consultation with its Chief Medical Officer, treats each situation as unique. As such, the WHL Chief Medical Officer reviews all positive test results and scenarios on a case-by-case basis, factoring in a number of variables, including travel, recent schedule, and potential exposures that may have occurred.

The health and safety of all WHL participants is the top priority for the WHL. In order to reduce the risk of exposure to and transmission of COVID-19, the WHL requires all WHL roster players, hockey operations staff, and other team and League office personnel to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a Health Canada approved vaccine.