Everett Silvertips To Begin WHL Season January 8th

There are still a lot of details to be worked out but today the WHL said Everett Silvertips hockey would begin January 8th. It has yet to be determined if fans will be allowed to attend the games but here is what we know so far.

The Western Hockey League Board of Governors announced today the WHL Regular Season is scheduled to open on Friday, January 8, 2021.

The WHL continues to work with each of the Governments and Health Authorities in the Provinces and States in Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest, respectively, on obtaining the necessary approvals to commence play. Details regarding the schedule of games in each of the four WHL Divisions will be announced at a later date.

The WHL has agreed that all Regular Season games during the 2020-21 season will be played within the boundaries of each of the four Divisions, with the East Division consisting of the seven Saskatchewan and Manitoba-based teams; the Central Division consisting of the five Alberta-based teams; the B.C. Division consisting of the five B.C.-based teams; and the U.S. Division consisting of the five teams located in Washington and Oregon.

“The WHL is very excited to be opening our WHL Regular Season on January 8,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “The WHL is a world-class development league and we remain fully committed to providing our players with the highest level of training, coaching, and competition in the system.”

All WHL players will be reporting to their respective WHL Clubs following the Christmas break where they will begin training in preparation for the opening of the WHL Regular Season on January 8.

The WHL also announced today it has appointed Dr. Dhiren Naidu of Edmonton as the WHL Chief Medical Advisor. Dr. Naidu, an Associate Professor at the University of Alberta and Head Team Physician for the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers and CFL’s Edmonton Football Team, served as the NHL Medical Director for the NHL hub, which just concluded in Edmonton. Dr. Naidu will be assisting the WHL with the implementation of its comprehensive health and safety protocol, in consultation with Provincial and State Health Authorities.

The WHL looks forward to continuing work with Government and Health Authorities in our region and will implement any measures that are necessary to protect our players, staff, officials, and fans during the COVID-19 pandemic. A final determination has not yet been made as to whether spectators will be permitted to attend WHL games as this will be subject to the approval of the Health Authorities in each jurisdiction.

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 consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five 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 over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 350 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.

Here’s more from the Everett Silvertips.

2020-21 season schedule update:

On October 14, the Western Hockey League announced the newly adjusted start date to for the 2020-21 season to January 8. Players will report to Everett for Training Camp taking place after Christmas. As part of the WHL’s commitment to the health and safety of its players, officials, staff, and fans, the opening date of the Regular Season & fan attendance remains contingent on receiving the necessary approvals from the government and health authorities in each of the six provincial / state jurisdictions in WHL territory. The Silvertips will continue to work with the Health District, city of Everett and Angel of the Winds Arena on PPE requirements, concourse traffic flow and in-seat distancing rules.

We acknowledge that communication has been sparse over the past few months, as the Coronavirus pandemic has significantly restricted our Front Office operations. We plan to increase our staffing in the office by phase 3, allowing improved communication to you on account details and continued development on the upcoming season.

Important ticketing information after official cancellation of the 2019-20 regular season and 2020 playoffs:

• Membership accounts, or season ticket and mini plan holders who opted in for the 6-game playoff pack had their payment plans adjusted by their April auto payment or invoice. Accounts that are paid in full with playoff tickets have been mailed a refund check (expected delivery no later than mid-September). Membership cost was lowered from $175 to $100 ($200 to $110 for Lower Club & Glass seats), with the remaining amount currently being allocated towards preseason games*, a WHL Live away pass and guaranteed door giveaways. (*If any other additional membership components are canceled or can’t be delivered, your account will be adjusted accordingly.)
• Non-package holders who purchased the 6-game playoff pack pre-sale have a received a credit towards their 2020-21 account and will pick their new seats in October.
• Silvertips full season ticket holders (34 game plan) and mini plan holders (22-game, 14-game, or 8-game) with game tickets for March 20, 2020 received a credit towards their account for the 2020-21 season (renewed and non-renewed yet). Monthly payments were adjusted in April. March 20 credit example: Lower Level Green full season ticket = $525 / 34 games = ~$15/seat or 14-game pack $240 / 14 games = ~$17/seat
• Full season ticket or mini plan holders who fulfilled their account payment for the 2020-21 season have been mailed a refund check (expected delivery no later than mid-September)..
• Single game tickets for the March 20, 2020 game or flex vouchers for the 2019-20 regular season will be honored with a “rain check” voucher for any upcoming 2020-21 regular season home game through March (pending capacity restraints).
• Rain check vouchers can be picked up in person at the Silvertips Front Office starting on September 15 through December 2020. Please stay tuned to everettsilvertips.com for developments on Silvertips Front Office hours.

 

Upgraded retractable seats & Select-A-Seat status:

We are excited to report that Angel of the Winds Arena has used this down time to upgrade the remaining retractable seats in rows 1 to 7 of the Lower Level, consisting of sturdier platforms, wider seats and convenient cup holders. We will work through a priority system to address potential social distancing restraints and seating layouts that might have been slightly adjusted due to the upgrade. Our goal is to hold a remote Select-A-Seat event (call/email/zoom meeting) during phase 3 for active Season Ticket/Package Holders to look at a new locations/adding seats and then will help new fans that recently placed a deposit for the 20/21 season.

We haven’t forgotten about you, the best fans in the WHL and we can’t wait to welcome you back to the rink to enjoy thrilling Silvertips Hockey this winter! If you have any questions please leave a message at (425) 252-5100 and we will  have someone follow up with you, or send us a note to info@everettsilvertips.com.