Everett goaltender Dustin Wolf stops a shot during a WHL game against the Seattle Thunderbirds on March 8 at ShoWare Center in Kent. (Kevin Clark/The Herald)

Everett goaltender Dustin Wolf stops a shot during a WHL game against the Seattle Thunderbirds on March 8 at ShoWare Center in Kent. (Kevin Clark/The Herald)

WHL season canceled because of COVID-19 pandemic

The Canadian Hockey League pulled the plug on the playoffs Monday after initially postponing them.

The 2019-20 Western Hockey League season has officially been canceled.

After the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL’s governing body, shut down the remainder of the regular season last week because of the new coronavirus pandemic, the CHL took the next step Monday afternoon and canceled the playoffs.

“We have continued to monitor the latest updates and advice from all public health agencies and medical experts, and worked tirelessly to determine a scenario by which the balance of our season could be played,” the CHL said in a press release. “Unfortunately, given the troubling state of our global climate and public welfare, there is still too much risk and uncertainty to move forward in good conscience.”

The 2019-2020 WHL season won’t have a champion. There will be a blank spot left in the record books.

Nor will there be a 2020 Memorial Cup champion. The WHL’s Kelowna Rockets were set to host the annual tournament in late May. The Memorial Cup pits the champions of the CHL’s three leagues — the WHL, the Ontario Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League — and the team from the host city in a round-robin format. The OHL is scheduled to host next year.

This is the first season the Memorial Cup won’t be awarded in the trophy’s 102-year history.

“(I’m) not surprised at all,” Silvertips general manager Garry Davidson said. “I just didn’t see how we would be able to probably have to move the Memorial Cup and have enough time to have a playoff. It’s really disappointing for many reasons, but not surprising at all with the way things are going out there.”

Bryce Kindopp, the Silvertips captain, said Silvertips head coach Dennis Williams sent a message to the players before the official announcement at 3 p.m. PDT.

Once reports on social media started to trickle in, the reality started to finally sink in.

“Obviously (the season being shut down) was always in the back of my head,” Kindopp said. “With the team we had, we felt like we could go a long way. In the back of my mind, I knew this day could come. But I didn’t want it to.”

The Everett Silvertips finished the 2019-2020 season with the most wins in the WHL with 47 and the least goals allowed at 142. The Scotty Munro Trophy, awarded to the team with the most regular-season points, goes to the Portland Winterhawks, who finished one point ahead of Everett with 97. Portland possessed three more “loser points” than Everett because of three more shootout losses.

The CHL pulling the plug on the postseason officially ends the careers of Silvertips overagers Kindopp, Wyatte Wylie and Jake Christiansen. All three were drafted by the Silvertips and played a combined 835 regular-season and 136 playoff games for the organization.

All three will play professional hockey, at some level, after signing professional contracts with NHL teams this spring. Christiansen is a Columbus Blue Jackets prospect, Wylie is a Philadelphia Flyers prospect and Kindopp is an Anaheim Ducks prospect.

It’s also possible the WHL careers of Cole Fonstad and Gianni Fairbrother concluded with Monday’s announcement. Both are Montreal Canadiens prospects and will be eligible to play in the American Hockey League for the first time next season.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Former Archbishop Murphy High School stars, Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) and Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), prepare for play at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 26, 2024. Though Lucas is likely to return as a starter, Seattle's interior line needs offseason upgrades. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
The Seahawks offensive line needs work

A mix free agency and draft could lead to upgraded interior.

UW men stumble in second half, fall to Nebraska

The three-pointers that fell so frequently — and from a… Continue reading

Edmonds-Woodway’s William Alseth dribbles the ball down the court during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway boys basketball enters playoffs on high note

The Warriors never let up in 63-43 win vs. Shorewood on Tuesday to secure Wesco South 3A/2A title

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 4

Parker powers Seagulls to district berth.

Kraken rally to force overtime, fall in shootout

Streaking Red Wings too much for young Kraken lineup that showed some promise.

Slivertips’ Clarke Schaefer tries to maneuver around Medicine Hat’s Josh Van Mulligen during the game on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tips Week in Review: Everett splits slate in high-scoring week

The Silvertips were outscored 24-18 in four games this week, losing two to the next-best WHL teams

Everett Silvertips’ Landon DuPont during the game against the Medicine Hat Tigers on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tips’ DuPont becomes first rookie D to score 50 points in 35 years

The 15-year-old star defenseman joined Scott Niedermayer in exclusive company with an assist Sunday.

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto believes players like Jorge Polanco (7) will enjoy bounceback seasons in 2025. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Despite quiet Mariners offseason, Jerry Dipoto confident

With the pre-spring training luncheon and news conference no longer an annual… Continue reading

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Jan. 26-Feb. 1

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Jan. 26-Feb. 1. Voting closes… Continue reading

Monroe’s Halle Keller drives to the hoop during the game against Snohomish on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Monday, Feb. 3

Stanwood, Snohomish, Monroe girls dominate.

Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak adds to staff

New play-caller for Seattle’s offense brings in familiarity from Saints.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.