The Seattle Thunderbirds return to play in October. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds

The Seattle Thunderbirds return to play in October. COURTESY PHOTO, Brian Liesse/Seattle Thunderbirds

Western Hockey League adopts mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy

Kent’s Seattle Thunderbirds are league member

The Calgary, Alberta-based Western Hockey League (WHL) announced Monday, Aug. 16 it has adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy.

The Kent-based Seattle Thunderbirds are members of the league and play their home games at the accesso ShoWare Center.

Effective immediately, all WHL roster players, hockey operations staff and other team and WHL office personnel along with officials must be fully vaccinated with a Health Canada approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the start of the 2021-22 regular season, according the league statement. The regular season opens Friday, Oct. 1.

In addition to players, the mandatory vaccination policy will apply to general managers, coaches, head scouts or director of player personnel, trainers, equipment managers, on-ice and off-ice consultants, on-ice officials and ice level off-ice officials (penalty box attendants; timekeepers and scorekeepers) and any other individuals who interact directly and on a regular basis with players.

“The health and safety of our players and staff continues to be the number one priority for the WHL,” said WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “The policy is designed to further protect our players and staff in the WHL from the potential risk of exposure to COVID-19.

“With travel restrictions currently in place with the Canada / U.S. border as well as the province of Manitoba, it is important all players and staff are fully vaccinated in order to be eligible to play a full season in the WHL.”

The WHL has also strongly recommended to each of its member clubs that players reside in billet households in which all eligible individuals are fully vaccinated.

The WHL consists of 22 member clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five in the Pacific Northwest.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

t
Renton head coach wins Coach of the Week from Seahawks

Cross has gotten Renton to a 3-1 record and second in KingCo 2A.

Davontae Redding and Kyle Brown celebrate a touchdown in the second half. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Do not scratch your eyes: Kent-Meridian football wins by 38

For the first time in over eight years, KM scores over 60 points in a game.

Senior Ella Schug with the ball at her feet. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge comes through with a late goal to draw 1-1 against Mount Si

Girls soccer team off to its best start since 2019

Seattle’s Sam Popowich, in preseason action against Everett, scored the winning goal in the Thunderbirds’ WHL season-opening 3-2 win Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Wenatchee Wild. COURTESY FILE PHOTO, Brian Liesse, Seattle Thunderbirds
Kent-based Thunderbirds edge Wenatchee Wild in season opener

Sam Popowich scores winning goal with 33 seconds left in 3-2 victory

t
Season preview: Kent-based T-Birds seek to defend Western Hockey League title

Many top players are gone but others ready to step up; 7 players taken in NHL Draft

t
Emerald Downs attendance up 16% in 2023; handle down 10.6%

Auburn track concluded 52-day, live-racing schedule on Sept. 17

t
Kent-based Thunderbirds open WHL season on the road at Wenatchee Wild

Opener Sept. 23 followed by home debut Sept. 30 against Portland at ShoWare Center

Shannon McLain
Kent Reporter’s Female Athlete of the Week: Shannon McLain

Kentlake Falcon freshman soccer player.

Around the Sound Sports podcast is hosted by Ben Ray. Email benjamin.ray@soundpublishing.com.
Fall sports preview in South King County | Around the Sound Sports

Welcome back to the Around the Sound Sports podcast! This episode takes a closer look at opening day matchups for high school athletes in South King County.

Kentlake cheer team. Photo courtesy of Allison Humphreys
Athletes of the Week: Kent’s high school cheer teams

To kick off the 2023 school year, the Kent Reporter is showcasing each school’s cheer team.

Seahawks QB Geno Smith keeps his eyes down field. (Maria Dorsten Photography)
Seahawks fans come out in droves for Kids Day

Hawks close out public practices and will face the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 19 for their final preseason home contest.

Arpit Bhagat up to bat for Mavericks at the Kent Cricket Ground. (Ben Ray/Sound Publishing)
Kent Cricket Ground plays host to Northwest Cricket League

A sport growing in popularity in the states has the chance to get even bigger.