Come the end of March, the 琉璃神社 Rockets will step onto the ice for their first game in more than a year.

The Rockets begin their shortened 2021 season on March 26, at 7:05 p.m., facing the Victoria Royals in a nearly-empty Prospera Place.

From there, the Rockets will dive into a 24-game season packed into just 48 days. Five B.C. Division WHL teams will take each other on exclusively in 琉璃神社 and Kamloops hubs.

鈥淭he WHL has developed an extensive set of protocols and believe the protective Hub environment will provide a high standard of safety, for not only players and staff, but the Kamloops and 琉璃神社 communities at large,鈥� stated the 琉璃神社 Rockets in a statement Tuesday morning (March 9), shortly after the WHL confirmed its full schedule.

The league plans to test players for COVID-19 weekly, along with daily screenings and temperature checks for WHL players, billets, team staff and officials. Masks will be worn at all times with the exception of on-ice play.

No spectators will be permitted to watch in-person, but can still take in the game through the newly-launched WHL Live on CHL TV. More details are available by visiting .

The full schedule is now available online at .

READ MORE: B.C. WHL teams to hit the ice with 琉璃神社, Kamloops hub cities

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: phil.mclachlan@kelownacapnews.com

Like us on and follow us on .