WHL mandates vaccinations for 2021-22

The WHL will require all players, hockey operations staff, and league personnel to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the 2021-22 season, the league announced Monday.

All three of the CHL's umbrella leagues will enforce the policy, as the OHL and QMJHL recently made announcements of their own.

"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 played an abbreviated 24-game season in 2021 due to the pandemic, and teams only played within their respective divisions. The QMJHL operated under a similar format, while the OHL canceled its campaign entirely.