U.S.-based hockey league eyeing M.L. for Canadian expansion
As early as this fall, Meadow Lake could have a new hockey league making its home in the community.
The 23-team Western States Hockey League (WSHL) has been active for the last 24 years, and is in the midst of expanding into Canada with the Western Provinces Hockey Association (WPHA) — a Junior A-level intended for 18-to-20-year old male players.
Meadow Lake Mayor Gary Vidal, along with Coun. Tom Harrison attended a press conference in Cold Lake, Alta. last week, as that city is also being considered as a potential site for expansion. Other locations under consideration are Slave Lake, Hinton, Edson and Morinville, Alta.
“They’ve got a business model that obviously has worked for junior hockey in the western United States,” he said. “They’re looking to have six or eight teams in place by this fall, hopefully, and have identified six communities already that have committed. We’re probably able to provide the ice time [and] other things they require between our two [local] rinks.”