If they get the go-ahead from provincial and state health officials, the Western Hockey League (WHL) season will begin on December 4 this year.

The league intends on a 68 game regular season campaign for the 17 teams in the four western provinces and the five teams located in the northwestern United States.

The WHL cancelled the remainder of the 2019-2020 season on March 12 following the coronavirus being called a pandemic by the World Health Organization the day before. 

The league originally wanted to resume on October 2 after training camps started on September 15 but, team and spectator safety, capacity in arenas, and border crossings, particularly between Canada and the U.S. are all issues that still need to be worked out.

In a statement late this week, WHL Commissioner Ron Robinson said, "Regardless of our start date, the WHL is committed to playing a full regular season and playoffs in 2020-21.  In our discussions with the government and health authorities, it has become apparent that additional time is required to ensure we can return to play in a safe and responsible manner."

Robinson went on to say that the WHL's health and safety protocols have been well received by health authorities but several key issues remain that will require a resolution in the coming months.

In June, Robinson said WHL teams would need arenas to be at least half full of fans during games in order for the league to be able to operate financially next season because junior hockey is ticket-driven and can't rely on a rich television rights deal to get them through.