Calgary, AB – Ron Robison, Commissioner of the Western Hockey League, announced today the WHL and Hockey Manitoba have extended their partnership agreement through the 2018-19 season. The new three-year agreement will encompass the current 2016-17 season along with the upcoming 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.

The agreement includes the WHL continuing to serve as a presenting sponsor of the Hockey Manitoba Under-15 and Under-16 High Performance programs. The high performance sponsorships include WHL Combine testing which will take place at the Under-15 summer and the Under-16 spring camps for the top prospects in the Manitoba system. The WHL will also serve as an official sponsor of Hockey Manitoba’s Director’s Cup Prospects and CCM Rising Stars program.

Under the new partnership agreement, the WHL will also continue to serve as an official partner of the Manitoba Midget Hockey League (MMHL) and the Hockey Manitoba Bantam Showcase held annually in Winnipeg.

“The WHL is very proud to continue serving as a sponsor of Hockey Manitoba’s high performance and minor hockey system,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “We are committed to assisting Hockey Manitoba with the growth and development of the game within the province and appreciate the leadership role they have taken by incorporating WHL Combines into their high performance programming.”

“Hockey Manitoba is pleased to continue our positive partnership relationship with the Western Hockey League,” commented Hockey Manitoba Executive Director Peter Woods. “Their commitment to development and growth applicable to all aspects of our program is appreciated and we are pleased to be associated with their organization.”

About the WHL

Founded with just seven teams in 1966, the WHL now consists of 22 member clubs with 17 based in the four Western Canadian provinces and five in the states of Washington and Oregon. The WHL is a leading supplier of talent to the National Hockey League (NHL), Canada’s National Teams and Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) hockey and also offers top young prospects in Western Canada and the U.S. the opportunity to reach their full potential both on and off the ice, by providing an ideal environment to develop as a hockey player without compromising their academic goals. All WHL Clubs graduate 100% of their players from high school and provide Education Advisors and support programs to assist players with their academics. The WHL Player Experience also includes comprehensive support programs such as the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Talk Today program, Red Cross RespectEd, WHL Drug, Alcohol and Gambling Awareness, Drug Education and Anti-Doping, WHL Counselling Services, and CHL Concussion Management Program. In addition, the WHL Scholarship provides players graduating from the League with the opportunity to attend the post-secondary institution or career-enhancing program of their choice with one year’s tuition, books and compulsory fees for each season played in the WHL provided by WHL Club Ownership.