The USHL announced its 2020-21 season, which will consist of 54 games for each team in a regionally-based schedule. Preseason matchups for the upcoming season will be released at a later date.
The 24-week regular season is scheduled to begin Thursday, Nov. 5 when the Sioux Falls Stampede visit the Des Moines Buccaneers and concludes on Saturday, Apr. 24.
“Today is an important day for our league as we release the 2020-21 schedule and further our preparations for a November 5 start to the regular season,” said USHL President and Commissioner Tom Garrity.
The 14-team schedule released includes six teams in the Eastern Conference and eight teams in the Western Conference.
“The regional schedule model was created with the idea of reducing team travel wherever possible while maximizing regional rivalries,” said Garrity. “It is built with the flexibility to allow for the rescheduling of games as needed.”
Preparations have begun in many USHL markets for the 2020-21 season. Under the League’s Return to Play Protocol, which was ratified by the USHL Board of Directors on September 1, players are permitted to arrive in market between September 14 and October 12 in preparation for the regular season.
“Our intake process was designed to help provide for a safe and healthy arrival of our players as they begin the on and off-ice development that our league is known for,” said Garrity. “It is deliberate in nature as we continue to place the health and well-being of our players, staff and billets above all else.”
The league said in a statement that member clubs are working with health and government officials regarding spectator policies for the 2020-21 season. Each team will develop its own plan for spectators based on local and state guidelines.
