The Western Hockey League is telling its teams that they have six weeks to get all associated with them fully vaccinated.

Effective immediately, all players, hockey operations staff and other team and 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 regular season which is October 1.  2021-22 WHL Regular Season. The WHL Regular Season opens Friday, October 1, 2021.

The policy also applies to ice-level off-ice officials like scorekeepers, timekeepers and penalty box attendants as well as any other individual who interacts directly with players on a regular basis.

In a statement, WHL Commissioner Ron Robison says the health and safety of players and staff is the league’s number one priority and that this policy is designed to further protect players and staff on member teams. He adds with travel restrictions currently in place at the Canada/U.S border and Manitoba, it is important to have this done so that a full season can be played.

The league also recommends that players who will be in billet households this year are in places where all eligible are also fully vaccinated.