The Western States Hockey league has been diligently monitoring the on-going health-crisis, and also taking into consideration the pace at which numerous hard-hit sectors are reopening.
With so many people becoming eligible and receiving the Coronavirus vaccine a clear path to herd immunity is finally on the horizon. Recent reports have indicated that over a hundred million individuals have been vaccinated in the United States, while one of the nation’s most populous cities, Los Angeles, reported on Sunday that it had no new deaths related to COVID-19 in their most recent data at the time.
Presently, the WSHL is still on the course to reinstating competition for 2021-2022. Tentative dates have been set for the league’s annual board meeting, in Las Vegas, for June 2-4 at The STRAT Hotel & Casino. The regular season opener is set to be on the second-to-last weekend of October. Details on the Western States Shootout (All-League Showcase) will become available as soon as possible, having said that, the event is slated to be sometime within the Dec. 18-22 date range. The Thorne Cup is tentatively scheduled for April 9-13. All dates subject to change.
The WSHL understands how difficult and unfortunate it was for the many athletes who had their junior hockey careers shortened due to the pandemic and cancelling play. Due to the nature of the global crises and the sheer unfairness that its impact caused within sports, but specifically within the WSHL, it has been decided that all teams will be allowed three ‘veteran,’ 21-year-old players on their rosters. Of note, the ‘veteran’ players must have played in the WSHL previously.
The league feels this will give players the opportunity to finish their junior hockey careers in the right manner, but more importantly, offer them one more shot at sprucing up their resume for college rosters. Please send an email to [email protected] with any questions you may have.
Over the last couple months, WSHL executive members have continuously worked to market the league in various western states, and western provinces of Canada.The states of Utah and Oregon have submitted letters of interest for multiple teams each, similarly, Arizona and Nevada are expressing interest, while western Canada will bring forth teams from British Columbia and Alberta towns.
Those who are interested in coaching positions, or would like to Billet, please [email protected].
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