WHL set to name Dan Near next league commissioner

Robinson announced in June that he would be stepping down after the 2023-24 season. He joined the league in 2000-01 and will go down as the longest-serving commissioner in WHL history. Under his helm, the WHL has seen remarkable growth over the past two decades with 22 teams strategically positioned throughout Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.

“Under Robison’s leadership, the WHL experienced unprecedented growth and survived the challenges of a global pandemic, only to return as strong as ever,” the WHL said in a June news release.

“The WHL continues to serve as a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League and Canada’s National Hockey Teams, and is also a leading supplier of hockey scholarships, with close to 400 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice.”

Ron Toigo, Chairman of the WHL Commissioner Search Committee and Governor of the Vancouver Giants, will introduce Dan Near as the next WHL commissioner during a news conference on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 12:30 p.m. MT from the Telus Club at the Scotiabank Saddledome.