The Western Hockey League announced this week that it is adopting a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy. 

In order to participate in the upcoming season, all WHL roster players, hockey operations staff, and other team and WHL office personnel as well as officials must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to the start of the 2021-2022 season. 

The vaccine policy also extends to general managers, coaches, head scouts or director of player personnel, trainers, equipment managers, on-ice and off-ice consultants, on-ice and off-ice officials, and anyone who interacts directly with players on a regular basis. 

The WHL has strongly recommended that each team house players in billet households in which all eligible family members are fully vaccinated.