“The Mountain West Hockey League (MWHL) has paused plans to restart play for the 2020-2021 season,” according to Commissioner Thomas Brown. “The pause will remain in effect until such time as it is safe to bring together players, coaches, officials, and fans. The determination of safety will be driven based on scientific data; advice of medical experts; directives of local, state, and federal authorities; and discussions with our club and arena owners.”
The MWHL suspended play last March. Over the Summer, the league had preliminary discussions on options to host a MWHL Cup Playoff tournament in a bubble format similar to that of the National Hockey League. It also considered a variety of options for starting the new season. However, a number of factors including but not limited to the resurgence of the Covid-19 virus and specter of the impending influenza season, permanent closing of ice arenas in some club locations, financial sustainability of playing without fans, and uneven local restrictions on opening businesses or hosting events made moving forward with any plans untenable at this time.
According to MWHL Commissioner Thomas Brown, “The potential health risk for our players, coaches, officials, and fans, as well as the general public that would result from our clubs traveling and playing games in arenas throughout the western USA is simply too great at this time. In addition to the health issues, we are obliged to consider the business liability issues.”
The MWHL will continue to monitor the situation and will work with its clubs to formulate a plan to resume play when it is safe to do so.
The MWHL is a Senior A minor hockey league based in Las Vegas, Nevada with clubs spanning the western United States. The league was founded in 2012. The MWHL and its media division, MWHL Network, are operated by WebFactorE LLC.
