Canada

No WHL playoffs for 2020-21 season due to COVID-19 restrictions

By Staff The Canadian Press

Posted April 19, 2021 6:53 pm

Updated April 20, 2021 3:58 pm

1 min read

If you get Global News from Instagram or Facebook - that will be changing. Find out how you can still connect with us.

This article is more than 3 years old and some information may not be up to date.

Click to play video: 'Edmonton Oil Kings set for adapted Alberta-only WHL season' — The Central Division of the WHL is getting set to return to play. Edmonton Oil Kings players are currently in isolation, ahead of a 24-game season that will be played within the boundaries of the province. Quinn Phillips has more on how the team is preparing for an unusual season. – Feb 3, 2021

There will be no playoffs in the Western Hockey League following the 2020-21 season.

The major junior league announced Monday that the season will conclude following the completion of the 24-game regular season due to COVID-19 concerns.

The league said in a release that travel restrictions across provincial and international borders in place to try to stem the tide of the global pandemic would make it difficult to conduct a post-season.

The announcement comes a week after the Canadian Hockey League, the umbrella organization for the WHL, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League, cancelled the 2021 Memorial Cup major junior championship due to COVID-19.

Click to play video: 'Nova Scotia top doctor has yet to approve world hockey championship plan'

1:55 Nova Scotia top doctor has yet to approve world hockey championship plan

The QMJHL is going ahead with a modified playoff format, while the OHL has not received approval from public health authorities to commence its 2020-21 season.

Story continues below advertisement

“When we returned to play in February, we set out with the intention of completing a 24-game regular season schedule, knowing adjustments would be needed along the way,” WHL Commissioner Ron Robison said in a statement.