Frequently asked questions

What is WHL?

WHL is a top-tier professional ice hockey league. based in Canada. The league is listed in the RinkStop directory as an active professional league.

How many teams play in WHL?

We currently have 0 teams tracked in WHL. If you are associated with a team we are missing, you can submit a team listing to add it.

What level of hockey is WHL?

WHL is classified as a professional league. Professional leagues operate at the highest competitive level in their country or region. Players are paid salaries by team ownership and game outcomes affect team standings, playoff qualification, and in some leagues promotion or relegation. These leagues typically have multiple divisions or conferences, a long regular season, and postseason playoffs leading to a championship. Many professional leagues also operate reserve or farm systems that develop players between junior and senior ranks.

How can I follow WHL games and results?

We do not currently have an official WHL website on file. If you are associated with the league and can share a link to the official schedule, contact us and we will add it. The "Latest Highlights" section on this page reflects news and recents where available.

Where does WHL operate?

WHL is a Canada-based league and is part of the broader hockey structure in Canada. Ice hockey in Canada is organized by Hockey Canada and thirteen regional Member Branches. Canada fields the national men's and women's teams and is a founding member of the IIHF. The NHL — founded in Montreal in 1917 — operates seven Canadian franchises across Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal. The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) — formed from the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL — drafts players aged 16-20 each spring, while U Sports runs university hockey and provincial leagues cover senior amateur play. According to IIHF member-association data, Canada has approximately 3,500 indoor rinks and 5,000 outdoor rinks — the largest indoor-rink base of any country and the highest per capita.

How do I get involved with WHL?

The most direct routes into WHL are: (1) try out for one of the 0 teams listed in RinkStop, (2) reach out to the league office if listed, or (3) start in a local amateur or youth league and progress to WHL level through tryouts. Use our hockey cost calculator for typical season costs by level.

How current is the data on this page?

League data on RinkStop is updated as teams, schedules, and rosters change. The "Last updated" line on this page shows when our record for WHL was last refreshed. We also tag data with a source where one is available.

How many games per season do WHL teams play?

Professional WHL teams typically play between 60 and 82 regular-season games, depending on the conference structure. Exact game counts for the current season are visible in the "Recent results" and "Upcoming games" sections on this page.

When does the WHL season start?

The WHL regular season typically begins in early September and runs through late February, with playoffs extending into April. Training camps usually open two to three weeks before the regular season.

What divisions or conferences are in WHL?

WHL structure typically includes two or more divisions or conferences, with regular-season play concentrated within division and cross-division games added throughout the year. The full list of teams and their conference assignments is visible on the "Teams" section of this page.

How do WHL standings and playoffs work?

Most WHL regular seasons are followed by a playoff bracket that includes the top teams from each division or conference. Playoff rounds are typically best-of-seven, with the league championship decided in the final series. The current playoff picture (where active) is reflected in the "Recent results" section on this page.

Where can I watch WHL games?

We do not currently have an official WHL broadcast partner list on file. Each team's page on RinkStop links to that team's website, which usually lists broadcast and streaming information.