Calgary, AB – The 2011-12 WHL regular season enters its first weekend of play in February with 21 games on the schedule for Friday and Saturday.  No WHL games are scheduled for Super Bowl Sunday.

AROUND THE RINKS THIS WEEKEND…

In Moose Jaw, SK, the Warriors and Mosaic have partnered with Hunger in Moose Jaw Inc. to help Provide Lunches for School Kids.  The team is encouraging fans who want to help out to donate non-perishable food items or money, or volunteer for the program.

In Portland, OR, the Winterhawks will be holding a special pre-game ceremony on Friday as they induct former team captain and head coach Brent Peterson into their Hall of Fame.  The team will also be holding various auctions throughout the night for one-of-a-kind items, with proceeds going to the Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s.

In Prince George, B.C., Saturday night is Mascot Mania when the Cougars host the Kelowna Rockets.  The team also welcomes the Girl Guides of Canada for Guides Night, including a sleepover at the CN Centre. 

In Red Deer, AB, the Rebels will host a Night for KidSport on Saturday when the Calgary Hitmen come to town.  The team will be wearing special jerseys which will be auctioned off to benefit KidSport in Central Alberta.

In Regina, SK, the Pats welcome Rick Hansen to Saturday’s contest versus the Lethbridge Hurricanes to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of his Man In Motion initiative.

In Kent, WA, it’s Luke Lockhart Jersey T-Shirt Night when the Seattle Thunderbirds host the Kamloops Blazers.

In Vancouver, B.C., Friday night is Legends Night when the Giants host the Kamloops Blazers.  Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe, will be in attendance while the Giants will sport special jerseys honoring Howe, who is a co-owner of the team.

WHL ANNOUNCES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS…

Calgary – Ron Robison, Commissioner of the Western Hockey League, announced on Thursday, on behalf of the WHL Board of Governors, the recipients of the WHL Distinguished Service Award for the 2011 – 12 season.

The 2011 – 12 WHL Distinguished Service Award recipients are Rose Mary Hartney, a longtime volunteer for the Moose Jaw Warriors as their Education Advisor, and Greg 'Spike' Wallace, current Kamloops Blazers' Community and Sponsorship Coordinator.

For more, click HERE

172 WHL ALUMNI HAVE PLAYED IN NHL THIS SEASON…

The Western Hockey League is proud to announce that 20 percent of all players who have played in the National Hockey League through the first half of the 2011-12 season are graduates of the WHL.

Of the 881 players who had played at least one game in the NHL as of January, 172 are graduates of the WHL.

In addition to the 172 players, there are 40 WHL graduates currently on the coaching staff of NHL clubs, and another 29 WHL graduates who currently occupy key management positions with NHL clubs.

For more, click HERE

WHL LAUNCHES ‘ASK THE COMMISH’…

Have a burning question regarding your Western Hockey League?  Well now you can have your question heard and answered by WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. 

WHL fans can submit questions for the 'Commish' via Twitter and Facebook.

From the questions submitted, the best of the bunch will be selected and WHL 'Commish' Ron Robison will answer your enquiries via video on the WHL website, Twitter and Facebook.

For more information, click HERE

TEAM ORR WINS TOP PROSPECTS GAME…

Kelowna, B.C. – Team Orr claimed a dramatic 2-1 win over Team Cherry in the 2012 Home Hardware CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game on Wednesday night at Prospera Place in Kelowna, B.C.

Branden Troock of the Seattle Thunderbirds lifted Team Orr to the win with a terrific effort with just 24 seconds remaining in the third period.  The 17-year-old broke down the left wing and powered his way to the front of the net, sliding the puck under Matt Murray to end what was a physical, tight-checking affair.

For more, click HERE

FRIDAY NIGHT WHL HOCKEY ON SHAW

Mark Pysyk and the Edmonton Oil Kings (33-12-2-4) host Mathew Dumba and the Red Deer Rebels (23-22-1-4) in Western Hockey League action on Friday night.

Friday’s contest between the Rebels and Oil Kings can be seen live throughout western Canada on SHAW and SHAW Direct channel 299 (7:00pm MT).

The Oil Kings dropped a 3-2 decision to the visiting Vancouver Giants last Saturday for their second defeat over their last three games, but remain in first place in the Eastern Conference.  The Oil Kings boast a 21-4-1-1 record on home ice.  Edmonton has scored the most goals of any WHL team this season.

The Rebels skated to a 6-3 win in Medicine Hat over the Tigers on Tuesday night for their third victory over their last four games, and currently sit just two points behind Brandon for eighth place in the Eastern Conference.  The Rebels are 10-11-0-2 on the road this season.  Dumba will b e back in the Rebels’ lineup after participating in the 2012 Home Hardware CHL / NHL Top Prospects Game.

It’s the third meeting of the season between the Oil Kings and Rebels.  The Rebels won both previous encounters with the Oil Kings this year, with both games being decided in overtime or a shootout.

SHAW will broadcast 32 WHL games during the 2011-12 WHL regular season.  For the entire WHL broadcast schedule, click HERE

WINTERHAWKS HOST ‘TIPS FRIDAY NIGHT, LIVE ON ROOT SPORTS

Ty Rattie and the Portland Winterhawks (33-14-2-1) host Josh Birkholz and the Everett Silvertips (12-30-1-8) for a battle between U.S. Division rivals on Friday night.

Friday’s contest between the Winterhawks and Silvertips can be seen live throughout the Pacific Northwest on ROOT Sports (7:00pm PT).

The Winterhawks have been idle since skating to an 8-3 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds last Saturday, and currently sit in second place in the U.S. Division.  Rattie leads the WHL scoring race with 86 points this season.  Portland will look to extend their home win streak to 19 games.

The Silvertips earned back-to-back wins in Prince George over the Cougars last weekend, and currently sit five points out of eighth place in the Western Conference.  Birkholz leads the Silvertips with 23 goals and 43 points this season.

It’s the seventh meeting of the season between the Hawks and ‘Tips.  The Winterhawks are 5-1 versus the Silvertips this season.

ROOT Sports will broadcast 10 WHL contests this season.  The next ROOT Sports broadcast is Friday, February 10th, when the Silvertips visit the Vancouver Giants.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE – Feb. 3 – Feb. 4

All times local

WATCH WHL HOCKEY LIVE ON WHL LIVE ON DEMAND

Friday, Feb. 3

Lethbridge @ Brandon; 7:30
Red Deer @ Edmonton; 7:00 **Live on SHAW**
Calgary @ Kootenay; 7:00
Everett @ Portland; 7:00 **Live on ROOT Sports**
Medicine Hat @ Prince Albert; 7:00
Kelowna @ Prince George; 7:00
Moose Jaw @ Saskatoon; 7:05
Victoria @ Spokane; 7:05
Regina @ Swift Current; 7:00
Seattle @ Tri-City; 7:05
Kamloops @ Vancouver; 7:30

Saturday, Feb 4

Spokane @ Kootenay; 7:00
Vancouver @ Portland; 7:00
Kelowna @ Prince George; 7:00
Calgary @ Red Deer; 7:30
Lethbridge @ Regina; 7:00
Medicine Hat @ Saskatoon; 7:05
Kamloops @ Seattle; 7:05
Brandon @ Swift Current; 7:00
Victoria @ Tri-City; 7:05