WHL ANNOUNCES 2015-16 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
Calgary, AB – The Western Hockey League today released the schedule of games for the 2015-16 WHL Regular Season.
The WHL’s 50th regular season schedule commences on Thursday, September 24th as the Moose Jaw Warriors host the Regina Pats. In 1967, the Moose Jaw Canucks and Pats battled in the final series as the Canucks were crowned the WHL’s first champion in the League’s inaugural season. This is the third year in a row the Pats participate in the opening game of the regular season.
The Pats return to the Brandt Centre for their Home Opener on Saturday, September 26th against the Warriors. The Pats and Warriors face off in three home and home sets throughout the regular season.
In total, 29 of the Pats’ 36 home games will be played on the weekend with 13 games scheduled for Friday nights, 8 for Saturday and 8 for Sundays. The 2015-16 season features a new 4:00 p.m. start time for all Sunday home games.
The Blue and White head out on their annual Western Conference road swing starting January 8th in Cranbrook before heading down to the U.S. Division until January 16th.
CLICK HERE FOR THE REGINA PATS 2015-16 SCHEDULE
The defending WHL Champion Kelowna Rockets open their 2015-16 campaign on Friday, September 25th when they host the Kamloops Blazers. The defending Eastern Conference Champion Brandon Wheat Kings will open their season on Friday night as well when they host the Swift Current Broncos in an Eastern Division battle. Opening weekend continues with six additional games on Friday night and nine games on Saturday night including the Red Deer Rebels, hosts of the 98th MasterCard Memorial Cup, who will take on the Edmonton Oil Kings.
In addition to the WHL Regular Season schedule, the WHL and the cities of Kelowna, BC and Kamloops, BC will serve as the official hosts for two games of the 2015 SUBWAY® Super Series in November. Team WHL will face the Russian National Junior Team in Kelowna on Monday, November 9th, and in Kamloops on Tuesday, November 10th.
The 2016 CHL/NHL Top Prospects game will also be held in Vancouver on January 28th.
Once again, the majority of WHL Regular Season games will be played on weekends. Of the 792 total games, 561 are scheduled for the weekend, with 236 to be played on a Friday, 237 on a Saturday and 88 on a Sunday. During the week, Wednesday night has 114 matches scheduled, 84 games will be played on Tuesday, 22 games on Monday, and 11 contests will be played on a Thursday. Altogether, 593 games will be played on weekends, holidays and over the Christmas break which accounts for nearly 75% of all games in the 2015-16 WHL Regular Season.
Day – No. of Games (Percentage)
Monday – 22 (2.8%)
Tuesday – 84 (10.6%)
Wednesday – 114 (14.4%)
Thursday – 11 (1.4%)
Friday – 236 (29.8%)
Saturday – 237 (29.9%)
Sunday – 88 (11.1%)
The 792 game regular season concludes on Sunday, March 20th, with the 2016 WHL Playoffs and the battle for the Ed Chynoweth Cup beginning on Friday, March 25th.
Click HERE for the full WHL 2015-16 Regular Season Schedule
