WHL This Week: September 19, 2024

Calgary, Alta. – Western Hockey League Commissioner Dan Near will officially launch the 2024-25 WHL Regular Season on Friday. The WHL enters its 59th season as all 22 WHL member Clubs across Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest begin the journey in pursuit of a WHL Championship.

Join us for a tour around the WHL as we embark on WHL Opening Week.

Friday’s Eight-Game slate opens 2024-25 WHL campaign
Friday evening will feature 16 teams in action across the WHL, including the defending WHL Champion Moose Jaw Warriors visiting the Brandon Wheat Kings (7 p.m. CT) – SCHEDULE

Warriors to celebrate WHL Championship Saturday
The Moose Jaw Warriors will celebrate a franchise first WHL Championship banner raising Saturday (7 p.m. MT) prior to puck drop at the Moose Jaw Events Centre as the Prince Albert Raiders visit the Friendly City. – TICKETS & DETAILS

Exceptional Status defenceman Landon DuPont Set for WHL debut Saturday
Calgary product Landon DuPont is set to make his WHL debut on the blueline of the Everett Silvertips this Saturday (6:05 p.m. PT) when the Vancouver Giants visit Angel of the Winds Arena. – TICKETS & DETAILS

2024-25 WHL Season Previews
Get up to speed on all 22 WHL Clubs ahead of the 2024-25 regular season. – PREVIEWS

WHL Stars of Tomorrow
Get to know a selection of the WHL’s incoming rookie class for 2024-25 as we introduce you to one fresh face from each of the WHL’s 22 Clubs. – PROFILES

WHL Live Packages available for 2024-25
All Dub. All the time. Every dangle, every snipe, every celly – See every heart-stopping moment on WHL Live. With access starting as low as $9.99 (plus taxes), you can enjoy every pretty passing play to every glorious glove save right from the comfort of home. – DETAILS

2025 WHL Playoffs
The 2025 WHL Playoffs are scheduled to begin Friday, March 28. The Conference Playoff format remains engaged for a third consecutive season. All series throughout the 2025 WHL Playoffs will follow a best-of-seven format.

2025 WHL Championship
The 2025 WHL Championship Series will be contested from Friday, May 9 through Monday, May 19, 2025, with the Ed Chynoweth Cup champion advancing to represent the WHL at the 2025 Memorial Cup in Rimouski, Que., from Thursday, May 22 through Sunday, June 1, 2025.

WHL Scholarship continues to lead the way
Established on a league-wide basis in 1993-94, over 8,000 WHL Scholarships have been awarded, representing an investment of over $35 million by WHL Clubs. Every player who plays in the WHL is eligible to receive the WHL Scholarship. For every season a player plays in the WHL, they receive a guaranteed, full-year WHL Scholarship, including tuition, textbooks and compulsory fees to a post-secondary institution of their choice.

Spokane Chiefs celebrating 40 years
The Spokane Chiefs will celebrate 40 years in the WHL, including two WHL Championships (1991, 2008) and two Memorial Cup titles (1991, 2008).

Calgary Hitmen celebrating 30 years
The Calgary Hitmen are set to celebrate 30 years in the WHL, including two WHL Championships (1999, 2010). – WATCH

Prince George Cougars sign four-year agreement with City of Prince George
Earlier this week, the City of Prince George and the Prince George Cougars Hockey Club signed a four-year license agreement for the CN Centre, extending through 2028 with an option to extend for an additional four years. – DETAILS

WHL announces 2024-25 Officiating Team
The 2024-25 WHL Officiating Team is comprised of 63 referees and 97 linespersons. – ROSTER

CHL announces London & Oshawa as Hosts for inaugural CHL USA Prospects Challenge
Earlier this week, the CHL unveiled the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights and Oshawa Generals as the host Clubs for the 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada. The brand new two-game series between the CHL and USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP) will feature many of the best prospects set to be chosen at the 2025 NHL Draft. The event is set to be played Tuesday, November 26 (London) and Wednesday, November 27 (Oshawa). – DETAILS

COMMUNITY CORNER

Babcock & Bridgeman to serve as Hockey Gives Blood Player Ambassadors for Regina
Veteran defencemen John Babcock and Kolten Bridgeman are set to serve as the Regina Pats player ambassadors for Hockey Gives Blood in 2024-25. This marks Babcock’s third season as a Hockey Gives Blood player ambassador, while Bridgeman joins the program for the first time. – DETAILS

Blazers announce BCLC Community Corner Program, offering free tickets to local charities
Earlier this week, the Kamloops Blazers announced a partnership with the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) that will provide complimentary Blazers tickets to local not-for-profit societies and/or charities. Interested organizations can apply for up to 20 tickets each for a preferred Blazers home game at Sandman Centre in Kamloops. – DETAILS

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Friday, September 20
Moose Jaw at Brandon – 6 p.m. CT
Edmonton at Lethbridge – 7 p.m. MT
Regina at Prince Albert – 7 p.m. MT
Saskatoon at Swift Current – 7 p.m. MT
Portland at Kamloops – 7 p.m. PT
Seattle at Vancouver – 7 p.m. PT
Spokane at Prince George – 7:05 p.m. PT
Tri-City at Victoria – 7:05 p.m. PT

Saturday, September 21
Brandon at Regina – 6 p.m. MT
Swift Current at Saskatoon – 7 p.m. MT
Edmonton at Medicine Hat – 7 p.m. MT
Prince Albert at Moose Jaw – 7 p.m. MT
Lethbridge at Red Deer – 7 p.m. MT
Spokane at Prince George – 6 p.m. PT
Seattle at Wenatchee – 6 p.m. PT
Vancouver at Everett – 6:05 p.m. PT
Portland at Kelowna – 6:05 p.m. PT
Tri-City at Victoria – 6:05 p.m. PT

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 offers a world-class player experience featuring three key cornerstones: hockey development, education, and a safe and positive environment for all participants. A diverse and inclusive organization, the WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 16 located in Western Canada and six 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 close to 60 years. The WHL is also a 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.