For the first time in his tenure as WHL commissioner, Dan Near paid a visit to the Art Hauser Centre on Friday. Since taking over as the WHL Commissioner, Near has made an effort to visit every market in the league. Prince Albert was one destination he didn’t make it to last season and he says he is excited to see the Art Hauser Centre and the community.

“I know it’s such an important community for the league and one that I wanted to get to before the winter started and Gord Broda and Curtis Hunt were kind enough to say, hey, come on, we’ll do some pregame ceremonies. I have a chance to drop the puck. I’m thrilled to be here, I’m thrilled to see what the team looks like this year.”

Near began his tenure as the WHL Commissioner on Jan. 1 of this year and worked closely with his predecessor Ron Robison until taking over the Commissioner’s office on Feb. 15.

Building on Robison's Legacy

Near says he still keeps in touch with Robison on a regular basis and he hopes to be able to continue to build on Robison’s legacy with the WHL.

“I’m still working and learning from Ron Robison. He stayed on as an advisor. And so we speak a couple times a week. There’s lots of nuance. There’s lots of complicated matters, lots of history and backstory. He’s there to help me out. He’s also given me a lot of space to figure it out and learn. He’s been a great partner in that regard. I found him to be the mayor of Saskatchewan. Every time I come somewhere here, he’s really well regarded. He’s had an impact and a legacy that has put the league in such a powerful spot and such a strong spot that I really admire him and I really look up to him.”

NCAA Eligibility Changes

Earlier this month, Regina Pats overage forward Braxton Whitehead announced that he has a verbal commitment to the Arizona State University, an NCAA Division I hockey program. Under current NCAA rules, CHL players are not permitted to play for NCAA programs due to the fact the NCAA considers the three member CHL leagues as professional. CHL players receive a monthly stipend for living expenses.

A class-action lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Buffalo, New York last month that could allow players from all three CHL member leagues to participate in the NCAA.

Near says there is no ongoing conversations between himself and the NCAA, but he says the option to be able to attend college on either side of the border would be a game changer for the league.

“We’re not in active negotiations. What Braxton chose to do as far as contacting the coach and coming with a potential outcome for him should the eligibility rules change, we’re really excited for him. As a guy that’s going to graduate from our league, part of Regina’s leadership team, an American kid, a 4.0 GPA, probably not ready to go pro, the notion that someone can continue their journey toward being a professional hockey player, but in a university environment, whether that’s in the US or Canadian side, we think it’s really fantastic and great.”

Memorial Cup Bids

At the time of publication, five WHL clubs have expressed interest in hosting the Memorial Cup in 2026, when the WHL is scheduled to host the tournament. The Spokane Chiefs, Medicine Hat Tigers, Brandon Wheat Kings, Kelowna Rockets and Lethbridge Hurricanes have all expressed intents to bid for the tournament. Near says the high number of teams interested in the tournament shows the strength of the WHL product.

“I think that it does signal that post-COVID, we’ve seen a recovery to the point where people are willing to go and seek out the investment, the volunteerism, the organization, all the things that are required to put on an event like that. I don’t know if there’s ever been a Memorial Cup that’s had five teams bid on it. It leaves us in a tough spot where four are going to be disappointed, which is obviously a scary thing. But I think it’s a testament to the health of the game and health of the property and health of the Western Hockey League right now.”

Schedule Changes: A Long Bus Ride

Earlier this year, the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) announced that they would be changing from a 68 to 64 game schedules effective this season. With the WHL having the largest geographic area of any of the three CHL member leagues, teams will have many more hours on the bus then their counterparts in the OHL or QMJHL.

Near says the WHL is not considering a similar change to the schedule at this time, but it always looking to find ways to make the league better for the players.

“It’s not an active discussion. I think that we’re always looking at our game to see what are the things that we could do that impact the player experience in a positive way, the competitive environment and so on and so forth. We’re also watching the other leagues and the different changes and rules and scheduling and divisions and anything else that’s going on. It’s not an active conversation for us right now. We’re comfortable at 68.”

Looking Ahead: A New Era for the WHL?

Commissioner Near's visit to Prince Albert highlights the league's commitment to its communities and its focus on player development. The WHL is facing a number of challenges, including the potential for NCAA eligibility changes and the need to adapt to a changing hockey landscape. But with a strong leadership team and a dedicated fan base, the WHL is poised for continued success in the years to come. The league's commitment to innovation and its focus on the player experience will be key to its long-term growth and prosperity. The WHL is a vital part of the Canadian hockey landscape, and its future is bright.