When it comes to the Western Hockey League restarting its season for its East Division, things are a little confusing right now.

There have been reports of a possible WHL East Division bubble in Regina, and reports of that not being the case. We do not know if the division will operate in a bubble or not, but there are a lot of other questions like: How will the players be housed or billeted? And how will game day operations work?

Meanwhile, Alberta teams already received approval last week on Jan. 28 and have at least started to wrap their heads around what the WHL season will look.

We at paNOW reached out to a pair of play-by-play announcers, Dustin Forbes of the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Andrew Peard of the Edmonton Oil Kings to shed some light on how the season will go.

What’s it like knowing there’s actually going to be a season?

“The main feeling is excitement. I understand the trepidation that some people might have, just in terms of it obviously still being in the midst of a pandemic,” Peard said. “But I think we’re looking at the livelihoods of not only the staff members of these hockey teams, but the players as well, as they try to carve out a life for themselves. Whether it be moving on to the next level in being drafted, or for players already drafted getting a contract offer, or guys just looking for a USports deal out of all this, I think it’s important that these kids get back on the ice, and it’s hard to not be excited about [it].”

Forbes had a similar perspective and said he supports all the private testing and safety protocols the league put in place for the five Alberta teams.

“I’m as big of sports fan as there is. So having the opportunity to get back to the grind a little bit, in varied circumstances than what we’re used to, I’m excited. As far as concern goes, I don’t really have any concerns. I think the league’s done a really good job at putting people in place to be able to come up with the proper protocols and everybody’s safe from a player and staff perspective… at the point where I’m ready to go. I’m sure that’s the consensus if you asked anybody in the Western League.”

How will players be housed or billeted?

Each team will approach this individually. Even though there are just five teams in Alberta, there will be a lot of different solutions, ranging from dormitories to hotels and returning to billet families.