WHL Announces 2016-17 Regular Season Schedule

Calgary, AB – The Western Hockey League released today the schedule of games for the 2016-17 WHL Regular Season.

The regular season schedule will begin on Friday, September 23rd as nine teams host season-opening games.

The defending WHL Champion Brandon Wheat Kings open the season on the road on the 23rd, and host their home opener the following night in Brandon as they welcome the Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday, September 24th. The defending Western Conference Champion Seattle Thunderbirds will also open the season on the road before returning to ShoWare Center on Saturday, October 1st when they host the Portland Winterhawks in the club’s home opener.

In addition to the WHL’s regular season schedule, the WHL and the cities of Prince George, BC and Edmonton, AB will serve as the official hosts for two games of the 2016 CHL Canada Russia Series in November. Team WHL will face the Russian National Junior Team in Prince George on Monday, November 7th, and in Edmonton on Tuesday, November 8th.

Once again the majority of games will be played on weekends. Altogether, 574 games will be played on weekends, holidays and over the Christmas break which accounts for over 72% of all games in the 2016-17 regular season.

2016-17 WHL Regular Season Schedule by Day:
Total Games: 792

Mondays – 13 (1.6%)
Tuesdays – 94 (11.9%)
Wednesdays – 134 (17%)
Thursdays – 7 (0.8%)
Fridays – 237 (29.9%)
Saturdays – 234 (29.6%)
Sundays – 73 (9.2%)

The 792-game regular season concludes on Sunday, March 19th, with the 2017 WHL Playoffs and the battle for the Ed Chynoweth Cup beginning on Friday, March 24th.