Western Hockey League update on COVID-19 Protocol List
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today an update on the WHL COVID-19 Protocol List for players and Hockey Operations staff returning from the holiday break.
A total of 36 WHL players or Hockey Operations staff have been added to the WHL COVID-19 Protocol List as a result of displaying symptoms for COVID-19 or returning a positive test result for COVID-19 through rapid antigen testing prior to re-entering WHL Club facilities. WHL Clubs included in this reporting are as follows:
| Number of Players/Staff in Protocols |
Team(s) |
| Four (4) | Spokane, Victoria |
| Three (3) | Portland, Saskatoon, Vancouver, Winnipeg |
| Two (2) | Brandon, Everett, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Regina |
| One (1) | Kelowna, Moose Jaw, Red Deer, Seattle, Swift Current, Tri-City |
| Zero (0) | Calgary, Edmonton, Prince Albert |
Results are pending for Kamloops and Prince George.
As per WHL Protocols, all individuals are required to complete a PCR test to confirm the rapid antigen positive test result. Players or Hockey Operations staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 are not permitted to resume team activities or come into close contact with teammates or Club staff until they have returned a negative test result or completed the required isolation period.
As a result of the limited number of positive cases with each WHL Club, there is no impact upon the WHL Regular Season schedule at this time.
The WHL is working in consultation with the WHL Chief Medical Officer regarding this matter.
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 transmissions 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.
In accordance with WHL policy, the WHL will not be providing comment or identifying individuals concerned.
About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.
