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WHL to Open 2019-20 Season this Evening

September 20, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


Saskatoon, Sask. - Western Hockey League Commissioner Ron Robison officially launched the 2019-20 WHL Regular Season Friday from Saskatoon. Beginning this evening, the WHL enters its 54th season as all 22 WHL member Clubs across Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest open their quest to hoist the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL Champions.

"This is the time of year everyone associated with the WHL, especially our players and fans, can't wait to get another season underway," commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. "As the world's top producer of NHL talent at this year's Draft, the WHL and our member Clubs take great pride in not only providing the highest level of competition in the system but also the most comprehensive education and scholarship program. We are looking forward to another very competitive season as our Clubs battle for the Ed Chynoweth Cup and a berth in the 2020 Memorial Cup in Kelowna."

WHL Hockey Returns to Winnipeg

On Saturday, September 21, WHL hockey will return to Winnipeg for the first time since the conclusion of the 1983-84 WHL season as the Winnipeg ICE are set to debut against their Manitoba rivals, the Brandon Wheat Kings, at Wayne Fleming Arena.

The Wayne Fleming Arena, which will be home to the ICE for two seasons, underwent $1.2 million in upgrades this offseason.

Kelowna Prepares for 2020 Memorial Cup Presented by Kia

For the second time in three years and third time in five years, the Canadian Hockey League's best will compete for the Memorial Cup in Western territory as Kelowna prepares to host the 102nd edition of the annual event from May 22-31, 2020. The Memorial Cup returns to Kelowna for the first time since 2004, when the host Rockets claimed the national championship on home ice. Led by Tom Dyas, Chair of the Host Committee for the 2020 Memorial Cup, preparations are well underway.

Over $10 Million Invested in Capital Improvements to WHL Arena Facilities

All WHL Arena Facilities across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest United States underwent over $10 million in capital improvements prior to the start of the 2019-20 season, including the installation of new NHL-licensed acrylic rinkboard systems, improved video scoreboards, and upgraded lighting standards. The improves are designed to address player safety and improve the fan experience.

Return of WHL Cup to Calgary

Following a one-year break due to the 2019 Canada Winter Games, the WHL Cup returns to Calgary from October 22-27, 2019. Featuring the brightest U-16 stars from the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft, Team B.C., Team Alberta, Team Saskatchewan and Team Manitoba will all converge on Winsport's Markin MacPhail Centre to compete for WHL Cup supremacy. Catch tomorrow's WHL stars as they represent their provinces in Calgary this October.

Pats & Hitmen to Face-off in 2019 WHL Prairie Classic

The WHL is headed outdoors for the first time since 2011 as the Regina Pats play host to the Calgary Hitmen on Sunday, October 27 at Mosaic Place. The outdoor contest will be the third in WHL history and second featuring the Pats and Hitmen, who previously met in 2011 at McMahon Stadium in Calgary. The event will be part of Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic Week, which also features an NHL outdoor game between the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets on Saturday, October 26 at Mosaic Place.

Saskatoon & Prince Albert Host CIBC Canada Russia Series

The CIBC Canada Russia Series returns to Saskatchewan as Saskatoon and Prince Albert will play host on November 13 and 14, respectively. The WHL's emerging stars will take to the ice at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon and the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert as part of a six-game series featuring all three Canadian Hockey Leagues in a preview of the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, scheduled for December 26, 2019 to January 5, 2020 in Czech Republic.

Red Deer to host 2020 WHL Awards, Bantam Draft

For the third consecutive year, Red Deer will welcome the WHL Awards and Bantam Draft on Wednesday, May 6, and Thursday, May 7, respectively.

25th Year of WHL Scholarship Sets Records; More Success Targeted in 2020

The 2018-19 WHL season marked the 25th anniversary of the WHL Scholarship and it was another record-setting year for North America's premier amateur hockey scholarship program. In total, 405 WHL graduates accessed WHL Scholarships over the course of the 2018-19 academic season, representing contributions by WHL Ownership in excess of $2.7 million last year alone. The 405 WHL Scholarships represent a record-high for the program.

With over 6,000 WHL Scholarships having been accessed by WHL graduate players since 1993-94, WHL Clubs have made an investment of over $25 million over the history of the WHL Scholarship program.

As more WHL graduates choose to access their WHL Scholarship, the expectation is that the WHL Scholarship program will once again set records in 2019-20. The WHL projects exceeding 390 WHL Scholarships awarded to graduate players during the Fall 2019 academic semester alone.

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. WHL players can also access financial assistance for post-secondary courses while playing in the League prior to accessing their WHL Scholarship. The WHL and Athabasca University have partnered to offer, through online and other distance education vehicles, fully-accredited university courses to any WHL player or WHL Graduate interested in further pursuing post-secondary studies while playing in the WHL or after they graduate from the League.

What We Stand For: The WHL Player Experience

The WHL is fully committed to providing our players with a world-class hockey experience. We believe our WHL Member Clubs offer our players the highest quality of hockey experience available in the world today and this can be best described by our three key cornerstones: Development, Education and the Environment.

Development:

We provide the highest level of competition for junior age players in North America. The quality of our coaching, facilities and professional support services offers the ideal setting for players to develop their skills. The 2019-20 WHL Regular Season sees the return of an elite group of coaches with extensive NHL and international experience, including Dave Lowry (Brandon Wheat Kings), Willie Desjardins (Medicine Hat Tigers), and Manny Viveiros (Spokane Chiefs).

Education:

The WHL offers the most comprehensive education program in North America. WHL Clubs are governed by League-wide education standards to ensure players not only achieve their high school academic goals, but also qualify for post-secondary studies. While playing in the WHL, players receive financial assistance for post-secondary course. The WHL also offers a full guaranteed scholarship to all our players, which can be applied to any post-secondary institution of choice.

Environment:

The WHL is committed to offering the best possible experience we can for our players, including a mandatory series of national health and wellness programs, such as the CHL Drug Education and Anti-Doping program, the Red Cross RespectEd program and our new Canadian Mental Health initiatives, among others. When combined with our WHL Seven Point Plan player safety initiative, these programs provide our players with a safe and healthy environment in which to develop.

WHL Community Initiatives

The WHL is proud to give back to its communities through a number of community initiatives scheduled for throughout the 2019-20 season, including the third run of RE/MAX presents WHL Suits Up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation. This campaign has proven to be one of the single largest organ donor awareness campaigns the Kidney Foundation of Canada has ever seen. With the support of Don Cherry, his family and the entire Coach's Corner team, the 2019-20 edition of RE/MAX presents WHL Suits Up with Don Cherry to Promote Organ Donation will be the best one yet.

In 14 Canadian markets across the WHL, Wawanesa will be hosting Toy Drives as part of WHL game nights. This initiative will see toys collected and distributed to a number of local charities across WHL markets and is part of a larger initiative across the entire CHL that ensures underprivileged children are provided with simple joys during their formative years.

For the second year, Fountain Tire returns with the Fountain Tire 3 Star campaign in the WHL's Canadian markets. The program will once again recognize outstanding citizens who give back to their community. During the 2018-19 WHL season, a number of tremendous individuals were called upon as part of the Fountain Tire 3 Star campaign and recognized for incredible efforts in their community. Beginning in mid-October, the 2019-20 edition of the campaign will call for nominations of this year's local "3 Stars" and includes an in-venue presentation in January and February 2020 to recognize those outstanding citizens and what they do to make their communities a better place to live in.

Banner Raisings

There will be a handful of banner raisings throughout the opening weekend of the 2019-20 WHL season, providing special memories for fans across Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

On Friday, September 20, the Prince Albert Raiders will send four banners to the rafters of the Art Hauser in recognition of their Ed Chynoweth Cup victory, 2018-19 WHL Regular Season Championship, WHL East Division title and WHL Eastern Conference crown. With the rival Saskatoon Blades visiting, the excitement will reach a fever pitch.

The Everett Silvertips will raise the Club's seventh U.S. Division championship banner at Angel of the Winds Arena on Friday, September 20, when they welcome the Tri-City Americans to town.

The Vancouver Giants will send two new banners to the rafters of the Langley Events Centre to celebrate their 2018-19 B.C. Division title and WHL Western Conference crown on Friday, September 27, when they open their home slate against the Portland Winterhawks.

In Edmonton, the Oil Kings will celebrate their 2018-19 Central Division championship banner at Rogers Place on Sunday, September 22. Fans can bear witness to the Oil Kings Central Division championship banner in Ford Hall as they enter Rogers Place prior to the game.

Anniversaries

The Medicine Hat Tigers will be celebrating 50 seasons of hockey in Southern Alberta. Established in 1970, the Tigers represent one of the most storied franchises in WHL history, having claimed five WHL Championships (1973, 1987, 1988 2004, 2007) and two Memorial Cup titles (1987, 1988) since inception.

Up the road, the Calgary Hitmen celebrate 25 seasons of hockey in the Stampede City. First taking to the ice in 1995, the Hitmen also serve as a modern day WHL success, having staked out WHL Championship titles in 1999 and 2010.

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