The WHL kicks off this week with the opening of 2012/13 training camps across western Canada.
Beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 22, Western Hockey League teams open their doors for registration, and on-ice sessions begin on Thursday. Virtually all clubs will be in full swing by Saturday.
The season opens on Sept. 20, 2012, with last year's champion Edmonton Oil Kings hosting the Kootenay Ice at 6 p.m. PST. Kootenay won the WHL in 2011, but neither team walked away with the Memorial Cup.
Preseason action starts on Tuesday, Aug. 28.
This year's preseason schedule again features four mini-tournaments:
The Everett Silvertips Pre-season Classic, Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 2012: will feature all five U.S. Division Clubs, the host Everett Silvertips, Portland Winterhawks, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs and Tri-City Americans.
The Edmonton Oil Kings 6th Annual Preseason tournament, Sept. 1: features six WHL Clubs, including the host Oil Kings, Calgary Hitmen, Medicine Hat Tigers, Prince George Cougars, Red Deer Rebels and Swift Current Broncos. (*Games will be played out of the Servus Credit Union Place in St. Albert, Alta.)
The Tri-City Americans Pre-Season Tournament will again feature all five U.S. Division Clubs; the host Americans, Everett Silvertips, Portland Winterhawks, Seattle Thunderbirds and the Spokane Chiefs. (*The tournament will also include the Kootenay Ice with games starting on Sept. 6.)
The Thunder Challenge Tournament hosted by the community of Crowsnest, Alta, Sept. 14-16: features the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Kootenay Ice and Calgary Hitmen.
*Click here for the full 2012 WHL Pre-Season schedule.