CALGARY, AB – WHL Commissioner Ron Robison and SHAW Communications announced today that the entire 2011 Husky WHL Eastern Conference Semi Final best-of-seven series between the Saskatoon Blades and Kootenay Ice will be televised LIVE on SHAW and SHAW Direct channel 299 throughout Western Canada.

SHAW TV will also provide live coverage of the 2011 WHL Playoffs during the third round - WHL Conference Championship series and the fourth round - WHL Championship Final series. Coverage plans for the third round WHL Conference Championship series will be announced at the conclusion of the second round of the WHL Playoffs.

During the second round series the WHL on SHAW will feature the play-by-play of Dan Russell with analysis from Bill Wilms.  SHAW’s WHL Central and host Joey Kenward will continue to provide exclusive features, news and highlights from around the WHL, including the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference Semi-Finals, during the broadcasts.

The first two games of the Saskatoon Blades – Kootenay Ice series will be broadcast live Friday, April 8^th at 7:00 pm MT and Saturday, April 9^th at 7:00 pm MT from the Credit Union Centre in Saskatoon, SK.

The following is the schedule for the Saskatoon Blades – Kootenay Ice best of seven Husky WHL Eastern Conference Semi Final series: 

#1 - Kootenay @ Saskatoon      Fri. April 8         7:00pm
#2 - Kootenay @ Saskatoon      Sat. April 9        7:00pm
#3 - Saskatoon @ Kootenay      Tues. April 12    7:00pm
#4 - Saskatoon @ Kootenay      Wed. April 13    7:00pm
#5 - Kootenay @ Saskatoon      Sat. April 16      7:00pm**
#6 - Saskatoon @ Kootenay      Mon. April 18    7:00pm**
#7 - Kootenay @ Saskatoon      Wed. April 20    7:00pm**
** - If necessary

In addition to the Saskatoon Blades – Kootenay Ice series, the Husky WHL Eastern Conference Semi-Final match-ups will also feature the Red Deer Rebels taking on the Medicine Hat Tigers.  In the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference, the Portland Winterhawks will face the Kelowna Rockets while Spokane Chiefs will square off with rivals the Tri-City Americans.

In addition to SHAW’s television coverage, the WHL will broadcast all games LIVE on the Internet and local radio. For more information on WHL Live On-Demand webcasts log onto www.whl.ca.

The OHL and the City of Mississauga, Ontario will serve as the official hosts for the 2011 MasterCard Memorial Cup.  The Mississauga St. Michaels Majors will host the Ed Chynoweth Cup – WHL Champions, Ontario Hockey League Champions and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Champions from May 20 – 29, 2011.