Seattle’s Mekai Sanders maneuvers the puck up the ice during WHL play Feb. 23 at the accesso ShoWare Center. COURTESY FILE PHOTO, Brian Liesse, T-Birds

Seattle’s Mekai Sanders maneuvers the puck up the ice during WHL play Feb. 23 at the accesso ShoWare Center. COURTESY FILE PHOTO, Brian Liesse, T-Birds

Season start delayed again for Seattle Thunderbirds, rest of WHL

Games had been scheduled to start Jan. 8; new start date undetermined

There’s been another delay to the start of the Western Hockey League season for the Kent-based Seattle Thunderbirds and the rest of the teams.

The Calgary, Alberta-based WHL announced Dec. 15 it will delay the start of the 2020-21 regular season, and following further consultation with regional health authorities, the Board of Governors will meet in January to consider potential start dates.

With public health restrictions in place across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest due to COVID-19, the WHL is not in a position to start its season as planned on Jan. 8, according to a league statement.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The T-Birds play their home games at the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent. The regular season typically goes from September to March.

The WHL will continue to work with government and health authorities in the region as it considers schedule options for the 2020-21 season, according to a league statement. The league has developed a series of protocols in consultation with health authorities that are necessary to protect players, staff, officials and fans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We continue to make every effort to get our season started, but our first priority has always been the health and safety of our players, and everyone associated with the WHL,” said Commissioner Ron Robison. “Given the public health restrictions that are currently in effect, we are not in a position to determine a new target date for our season. We will continue to consult with health authorities to determine when it is safe and responsible to get our season started.”

The league halted the 2019-2020 regular season in March and never resumed play due to COVID-19.

About the WHL

Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the WHL consists of 22 member clubs with 17 in Western Canada and five in the Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the NHL for over 50 years.




Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Christopher (left) and Lincoln Moore (right) shake hands on defense. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Moore brothers equal more runs on the Kentlake diamond

Christopher and Lincoln Moore take the field for the Falcons in their first season together.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentlake

Morris Schriever (Sr. Judo) and Millie Purganan (So. Dance) win this weeks awards.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Athletes of the Week: Kentwood

Alex Palacios and Logan Wilson (unified basketball) and Aubrey Krestle win award.

Mason St. Louis eyes down the defense against Arlington. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Arlington shocks Kentwood with fourth quarter comeback

Kentwood’s season ends before the Tacoma Dome in opening round loss.

Brandon Tagle dribbling the basketball against Sumner. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood punches ticket to state basketball tournament

Brandon Tagle scores 12 fourth quarter points to fuel comeback.

Courtesy Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kent-Meridian

Bryanna Zhunio-Chevez (So. Cheer) and Adonai Garza (Jr. Wrestling) win this weeks awards.

Corey Tita goes for a layup against Curtis. Tyler Rubenstein / For the Reporter
Kentwood basketball pulls away late against Curtis

Kentwood is now 2-1 in district tournament, needing one more win to make state.

Courtesy Photo
Kent Reporter Athletes of the week: Kentlake

Josie Pedeferri (Flag Football Sr.) and Matthew Lawrence (Basketball Sr.) are this weeks winners.

Jaya Brown goes up for a lay-up against Kentwood. Ben Ray / The Reporter
District Tournament preview: Girls basketball

Kentwood and Kentridge sneak in, see tough roads ahead.

Kentwood’s Mason St. Louis takes a three point shot. Ben Ray / The Reporter
West Central District Tournament preview: Boys basketball

Kentwood and Kent-Meridian face tough competition in opening rounds.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentwood

Luke LeChance (Jr. Swim) and Alena Ton (Jr. Basketball) named this weeks winners.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Coach of the Month: Julie Foree

Foree has been coaching for 15-years and currently coaches at Cedar Heights Middle School.