Beginning in 2018-19, the Western Hockey League teams will play 68-game regular season schedule.

The league approved the shift from 72 to 68 games at the WHL Board of Governors meeting this week in Calgary.

Playing four fewer games during the regular season is designed to help reduce travel and balance the schedule, while providing more time for players to focus on training, skill development and their academic studies. F

鈥淭his has been in the works for a while now, and it has just been a matter of deciding on a time of when to make the move from 72 to 68,鈥� said WHL board chairman and 91大黄鸭 Rockets GM Bruce Hamilton.

鈥淚t鈥檚 designed to benefit the players. The players will get more time at school, and they鈥檒l have more time for practice and skill development which is what we feel the players need. Most importantly, we need to look after them in the sense that their well-being is our main concern.

鈥淲e鈥檝e eliminated four games, two on the road, and we really feel that their academics and their skill development will benefit from that.鈥�

The Ontario Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League currently play a 68-game regular season schedule. With the WHL reduction in games, it will result in all three Canadian Hockey League member leagues playing the same number of games.

鈥淏y reducing our WHL regular season schedule, I believe this further demonstrates our WHL club鈥檚 commitment to providing our players with the best possible environment to develop, both as hockey players and student athletes,鈥� commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison.

鈥淭he WHL takes great pride in being a world leader in player development and education opportunities, and we are fully committed to enhancing our player experience on an ongoing basis.鈥�