Almost exactly four years after their last swing through, the Saskatoon Blades will embark on a U-S Division road trip this coming November, as part of the 2023-24 W-H-L schedule which was released Tuesday afternoon.

The American swing will start November 21 in Wenatchee, Washington, against the Wild – formerly known as the Winnipeg ICE. That will start the Bridge City Bunch’s longest trip of the season, seven games in 11 days, winding up December 1 in Lethbridge. The Blue and Gold will host all five B-C Division teams for the first time since the 2019-20 season. As mentioned Monday, the Blades start the 60th season of their existence on September 23 in Regina, host Prince Albert the next day in Saskatoon’s home opener and wind up the regular season on March 23 at SaskTel Centre against the Raiders. Following is the news release from the W-H-L…..

WHL UNVEILS 2023-24 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2023

Calgary, Alta. –  The Western Hockey League announced today its schedule of games for the 2023-24 WHL Regular Season.

All 22 WHL Clubs will once again compete in a full 68-game regular season, beginning Friday, September 22, 2023 and concluding Sunday, March 24, 2024.

The 2023-24 WHL Regular Season will open Friday, September 22 with nine games on the schedule. Featured in the spotlight will be the Regular Season debut of the Wenatchee Wild, who open the season on home ice versus the Portland Winterhawks.

The defending WHL Champion Seattle Thunderbirds will open their season on the road, visiting the Wenatchee Wild at Town Toyota Center Saturday, September 23.

The Thunderbirds will open the home portion of their schedule and raise their 2023 WHL Championship banner to the rafters of accesso ShoWare Center Saturday, September 30 when they host the Portland Winterhawks.

A total of 579 of the 748 games on the WHL Regular Season Schedule – nearly 80 per cent – will be played on weekends or holidays. By focusing the schedule on weekends and holidays, WHL Clubs can further enhance the WHL player experience by allowing additional time for training and skill development, as well as academic enrichment.

The 748-game WHL Regular Season concludes Sunday, March 24, 2024 with four games.

Should a tiebreaker game(s) be required to settle the 2023-24 WHL Regular Season standings, it will be contested on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

The 2024 WHL Playoffs and the battle for the Ed Chynoweth Cup will begin on Friday, March 29, 2024.

The 2024 Memorial Cup will be hosted in Saginaw, Michigan.

CLICK HERE to view the entire 2023-24 WHL Regular Season schedule. Games, dates, and locations for all games are subject to change.