The WHL has officially set their 2020-2021 start date, prompting a trip down memory lane for LA Kings draft picks who played in the league.
While the NHL navigates the COVID pandemic, one of the hot topics post-draft is when the 2020-2021 season will begin. 31 teams have new toys to play with, and many of them are left uncertain where they will begin their professional careers. However, the WHL has provided some hope, as the league has reportedly set its start date for January 8, 2021.
https://twitter.com/TheWHL/status/1316498767705563137?s=20
I would expect the AHL and OHL to tentatively set similar dates, as representatives of the former have indicated that they don’t plan to begin the new league year before the NHL. But the OHL is left in a bit of a limbo as COVID cases continue to soar within the Province. And for the LA Kings, that could leave Quinton Byfield looking for a new league to play.
The Kings roster has notable WHL graduates in Austin Wagner, Jaret Anderson-Dolan, and Kale Clague. All three are expected to contribute at the NHL level next year-some more than others.
But let’s take a look at three Kings’ draft picks who got their professional careers underway in the WHL.