A tweet by Sportsnet’s Jeff Marek that came out on Wednesday evening that said the Western Hockey League had received approval by the provincial government to return to play in Saskatchewan may have been a tad premature.
Both the league and Premier Scott Moe said on Thursday that no approval has been given for a potential East Division hub in Regina, which would feature the Brandon Wheat Kings, Moose Jaw Warriors, Prince Albert Raiders, Regina Pats, Saskatoon Blades, Swift Current Broncos and Winnipeg Ice.
“The WHL does not have approval to return to play in Saskatchewan at this time. We remain in ongoing discussions with government and health authorities in Saskatchewan,” the league said in an e-mail to Greg Harder of the Regina Leader-Post.
Meanwhile, Moe said during an interview on the Gormley radio program on CJME and CKOM that he was not aware of any agreement but that Saskatchewan chief medical officer Dr. Saqib Shahab has been working with the league.
“I think that would be something for all of us to look forward to and to enjoy in what has been a difficult 11 months,” Moe added about a potential return to play.
While nothing has been set in stone yet, Winnipeg Free Press sports reporter Mike Sawatzky said in an article on Wednesday night that Regina had emerged as front-runner for a hub location for the East Division and that play could start as early as March 4.
“It’s been discussed and I would say there’s a tentative plan in place but I know that there’s no date established yet,” Regina Pats vice-president of hockey operations and general manager John Paddock said to Sawatzky. “That might be a hopeful date.
“The province and medical people are in charge… It’s been discussed about (Regina) being the hub here in some sort of detail, but the dates — it would be premature to put down any date as far as I know.”
According to Sawatzky, games would be held without fans at the Brandt Centre, practice ice would be available at the Co-operators Centre and the league is planning to have players and team personnel stay in dorms at the University of Regina.
As of Thursday evening, the only division in the WHL that has received confirmation of a return to play is the Central, as the five Alberta-based clubs (Calgary Hitmen, Edmonton Oil Kings, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Medicine Hat Tigers and Red Deer Rebels) will begin their seasons on Feb. 26.
Meanwhile, Andy Eide of 710 ESPN Seattle reported earlier this week that the Washington government had approved the WHL’s return to play plans for the four teams (Everett Silvertips, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs and Tri-City Americans) located in the state.
Unlike the Saskatchewan clubs, the Alberta and Washington teams will travel to each other’s arenas and not play in a hub location, though the Hitmen will hold their games at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on Tsuut’ina Nation as the Scotiabank Saddledome is being used by the NHL’s Calgary Flames and the AHL’s Stockton Heat.
There has been no official word yet on plans for the Portland Winterhawks (who are in Oregon) and all five teams in the B.C. Division (Kamloops Blazers, Kelowna Rockets, Prince George Cougars, Vancouver Giants and Victoria Royals).
