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WHL Giants season officially over

WHL cancels 2020 playoffs
hockey
Star defenceman Bowen Byram has likely played his last game as a Vancouver Giant after the WHL announced Monday the balance of the season has been cancelled, including the 2020 playoffs.

The Vancouver Giants season has come to a pre-mature end.

The Western Hockey League made that official today with the cancellation of the 2020 WHL playoffs.

Following a meeting with the WHL Board of Governors and consultation with medical professionals, it was determined that the best course of action was the 2020 WHL Playoffs not be contested due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Nothing is more important to the WHL than the health and safety of our players, officials, staff, and fans,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “Without any ability to predict as to when it will be safe and responsible to return to play, the WHL has made the difficult decision to cancel the WHL Playoffs and the balance of the 2019-20 season. All of us at the WHL will continue to do our part in battling this virus so that we may be in a position to enjoy more WHL hockey.”

Despite obvious disappointment, the Vancouver Giants support this difficult decision which prioritizes the long-term safety of the public, all players and staff.  

While the sting of this news is still fresh, the Giants want to first assure all season ticket holders and corporate sponsors that they’ll receive full value on their 2019-20 investment with the club.  The operations, business and ticketing staff are currently working on contingency plans, and hope is to have those plans in place by April.

The 2020 Memorial Cup was to be played in Kelowna — May 21-31.