Hockey isn't returning to the Art Hauser Centre anytime soon. File photo/paNOW Staff

By Jeff D'Andrea

Raiders Hockey

WHL cancels rest of regular season, leaves door open for playoffs

Mar 18, 2020 | 11:22 AM

The Western Hockey League announced on Wednesday they have canceled the rest of the regular season due to COVID-19.

WHL commissioner Ron Robison did say this cancellation does not include the playoffs, as the league will leave the door open to hold them later on.

“The WHL takes the safety of our players, officials, staff, fans, and everyone associated with the WHL very seriously,” Ron Robison said in a statement. “Given the ongoing public health developments regarding COVID-19, we deemed it necessary to cancel the remaining games on the 2019-20 WHL Regular Season Schedule.

“We will continue to monitor ongoing public health developments regarding COVID-19. We will make every effort possible to conduct the 2020 WHL Playoffs at a later date. We thank WHL fans and partners for your patience and understanding during these challenging times.”

Since teams have played a different amount of games (between 62-64), the final standings were determined by winning percentage. The Prince Albert Raiders finished up at eighth overall, and first in the WHL East Division for the second straight year with a .641 winning percentage. If the playoffs can continue, they will match up against the Calgary Hitmen, who finished at the top wildcard position with a .586 winning percentage.

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The QMJHL was the first of the three leagues to officially announce the cancellation of their regular season, making their announcement at 1 p.m. Saskatchewan time on Tuesday. The Ontario Hockey League was the last of the three CHL leagues to make their announcement, doing so at 1 p.m. Saskatchewan time on Wednesday.

Last Thursday, the CHL and all three of their leagues were put on an indefinite pause.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW