The Spokane Chiefs hosted the Kootenay Ice in the WHL's first outdoor game in January 2011.
This is a timeline of events throughout the history of the Western Hockey League (WHL), which dates back to its founding in 1966. The league was founded by a group of team owners and managers in Saskatchewan and Alberta, including Bill Hunter, Scotty Munro, Del Wilson, and Jim Piggott, who thought a larger western league would help western teams compete for the Memorial Cup against teams from the larger associations in Ontario and Quebec.[1] Since the league's founding, it has expanded to include 22 teams across the four Western Canadian provinces along with the Northwest United States, and it has produced 19 Memorial Cup championship teams.
Ironically, the earliest years of the league were marked by disputes with the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, the national governing body for junior hockey, which led to teams in the fledgling league being barred from competing for the Memorial Cup for most years prior to 1971. At the outset of the 1970s, those disputes were resolved and junior hockey was reorganized, with the western league recognized as a top tier major junior league.[2]
1960s
1966: League began play as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League (CMJHL) with seven teams in Saskatchewan and Alberta: the Estevan Bruins, Moose Jaw Canucks, Regina Pats, Saskatoon Blades, Weyburn Red Wings, Calgary Buffaloes, and Edmonton Oil Kings. League not sanctioned by the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) and thus barred from competing for the Memorial Cup.
1967: League expands into Manitoba and changes its name to the Western Canada Junior Hockey League (WCJHL). The Calgary Buffaloes renamed the Centennials. The Swift Current Broncos, Flin Flon Bombers, Winnipeg Jets, and Brandon Wheat Kings join the league. League reaches an understanding with CAHA, allowing the WCJHL champion Estevan Bruins to contest the 1968 Memorial Cup.
1968: League shortens its name to the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL). Dispute over age-limits leads to CAHA again revoking its sanction and the ability for WCHL teams to compete for the Memorial Cup. The Regina Pats, Weyburn Red Wings, and Moose Jaw Canucks leave the league to join the re-booted Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, which was sanctioned to compete for the Memorial Cup. WCHL launches the Canadian Hockey Association to rival the CAHA. Remaining eight WCHL teams are divided into two divisions: East (Flin Flon, Estevan, Winnipeg, Brandon); and West (Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Swift Current).
Bobby Clarke's Flin Flon Bombers jersey, c. 1967, on display.1969: League champion Flin Flon Bombers contest the Canadian Hockey Association "National Championship" series—organized to rival the Memorial Cup—against the Western Ontario Junior A Hockey League Champion St. Thomas Barons. Game four is forfeited during the second period by St. Thomas in protest of violent play. Prior to Game 4, Flin Flon led the series 2-games-to-1, and the Bombers, featuring Bobby Clarke and Reggie Leach, are awarded the title.[3] Bombers challenge the Memorial Cup-champion Montreal Junior Canadiens to a match, but the challenge is declined.[4]
1970s
1970: The Regina Pats return to the league and the Medicine Hat Tigers are granted a new franchise. The league reaches a new agreement with CAHA and becomes fully recognized as a top-flight major junior league with the ability to compete for the Memorial Cup, beginning in 1971; the CHA merges with CAHA.
1971: League expands into British Columbia to become a fully Western Canadian organization. The Estevan Bruins move and become the New Westminster Bruins, while the Victoria Cougars and Vancouver Nats are both granted franchises. Swift Current Broncos and Saskatoon Blades move to the Eastern Division to balance the league.
1974: The Regina Pats win the first Memorial Cup title for a WCHL representative. Swift Current Broncos move and become the Lethbridge Broncos.
1976: League expands into the United States as the Edmonton Oil Kings—facing pressure from the WHA Edmonton Oilers—move and become the Portland Winter Hawks. Winnipeg Clubs renamed the Winnipeg Monarchs. League divides into three divisions: East (Brandon, Saskatoon, Flin Flon, Regina); Central (Medicine Hat, Winnipeg, Lethbridge, Calgary); and West (New Westminster, Kamloops, Portland, Victoria).
1977: The New Westminster Bruins win the first of two consecutive Memorial Cups. League expands into Montana and Washington. Calgary Centennials move and become the Billings Bighorns; Kamloops Chiefs move and become the Seattle Breakers. Winnipeg Monarchs move and become the Calgary Wranglers.
1978: Following the addition of American teams, the WCHL is renamed the Western Hockey League (WHL). The Flin Flon Bombers move and become a second incarnation of the Edmonton Oil Kings.
1979: The Brandon Wheat Kings establish a league record with 125 points on the season; Brandon wins the league title, but loses in the Memorial Cup final.[6] After one season, the new Edmonton Oil Kings move again and become the Great Falls Americans, before the team ceases operations on December 16. The league pares back to two divisions: West (Portland, Victoria, Seattle, New Westminster) and East (Regina, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Billings, Brandon, Lethbridge, Saskatoon, Great Falls).
1980s
1980: Winnipeg Warriors granted a franchise. Great Falls franchise revived as the Spokane Flyers.
1981: The Victoria Cougars establish a WHL and Canadian Hockey League record with 60 wins; the team goes on to win the league playoff title, but falls short at the Memorial Cup tournament.[7] New Westminster Bruins move and become the Kamloops Junior Oilers. Spokane Flyers fold on December 2.
1983: Memorial Cup format changes again to include a host participant, bringing the total number of teams to four. Portland serves as the first host with this format, and the Winter Hawks become the first American club to win the Memorial Cup, defeating the OHL-champion Oshawa Generals in the final.[8] Nanaimo Islanders move and become a second incarnation of the New Westminster Bruins.
1984: Ray Ferraro establishes a league record with a 108-goal season for the Wheat Kings; on January 5, Ferraro tied the record for goals in a single game, with 7.[9] Winnipeg Warriors move and become the Moose Jaw Warriors. Kamloops Junior Oilers renamed the Kamloops Blazers.
1985: Prince Albert Raiders become the fourth WHL team to win the Memorial Cup.[10] Kelowna Wings move and become the Spokane Chiefs. Seattle Breakers renamed the Seattle Thunderbirds.[11]
1986: Lethbridge Broncos return to Swift Current. The Broncos team bus crashes en route to a game in Regina, resulting in the deaths of four players—Trent Kresse, Scott Kruger, Chris Mantyka, and Brent Ruff.[12] Portland again hosts the Memorial Cup.
1987: Regina Pats player Brad Hornung is paralyzed during a game on March 1, 1987. The incident leads to a rule change making body checking from behind illegal; the following season, the league also renames its award for sportsmanship the Brad Hornung Trophy.[13] Rob Brown establishes a league record with a 212-point season for the Blazers.[14] Medicine Hat Tigers win the first of two consecutive Memorial Cup titles. Calgary Wranglers move and become the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
1989: Saskatoon hosts the Memorial Cup, which features the first all-WHL—and all-Saskatchewan—final between the Blades and the WHL-champion Broncos, who prevail in overtime. The Broncos' victory comes just two and a half years after the team bus crash.[15]
1990s
1991: WHL-champion Spokane Chiefs become the second American team to win the Memorial Cup.[16]Tacoma Rockets granted a franchise.
1992: Seattle hosts the Memorial Cup tournament; the WHL-champion Kamloops Blazers win the title. Red Deer Rebels granted a franchise.
1994: Kamloops Blazers win their second Memorial Cup in three seasons. Victoria Cougars move and become the Prince George Cougars.
1995: Kamloops Blazers host the Memorial Cup and win an unprecedented third in a four-year span.[17] Because the Blazers were also WHL champions, the Brandon Wheat Kings were invited as WHL finalists.
1995: Calgary Hitmen are granted a franchise. Tacoma Rockets move and become the Kelowna Rockets. WHL again divides into three divisions: West (Spokane, Tri-City, Kelowna, Seattle, Kamloops, Portland, Prince George), Central (Swift Current, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Calgary), and East (Brandon, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw).
1996: Edmonton Ice are granted a franchise. Swift Current Broncos move to the East Division.
1998: Portland Winter Hawks win their second Memorial Cup at the tournament hosted in Spokane. Edmonton Ice move and become the Kootenay Ice.
2001: Regina hosts the Memorial Cup, which is won by the WHL-champion Red Deer Rebels.[18]
2001: Vancouver Giants granted a franchise. WHL divides into two conferences of two divisions each—Eastern Conference: East Division (Brandon, Regina, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, Prince Albert); Central Division (Red Deer, Swift Current, Lethbridge, Calgary, Medicine Hat); Western Conference: British Columbia Division (Kamloops, Kootenay, Prince George, Kelowna, Vancouver); United States Division (Portland, Spokane, Tri-City, Seattle).
2007: Vancouver Giants host and win the Memorial Cup tournament.[24]
2010s
2010: Brandon hosts the Memorial Cup. The 2010–11 season is the first to be featured in an EA Sports NHL video game, including all teams and rosters.[25]
2016: Red Deer hosts the Memorial Cup tournament. The Vancouver Giants move to Langley and begin playing out of the Langley Events Centre; despite the move, the team retains the Vancouver Giants name.
2018: Regina hosts the Memorial Cup; the Pats lose in the final.[30]
2020: Regular season cut short and playoffs ultimately cancelled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.[33]
2021: Due to the ongoing pandemic, the league institutes a modified 24-game season, with teams playing in-division only. B.C.-based teams played only in Kamloops and Kelowna, while East Division teams played in a bubble in Regina; no spectators are permitted.[34][35] Plans for a modified playoffs are ultimately abandoned, meaning there was no league champion for two straight years—the Memorial Cup tournament is also cancelled for a second straight year.[36]
^"WHL History". Western Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2023-07-31. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
^Lapp, Richard M.; White, Silas (1993). Local Heroes: A History of the Western Hockey League. Madeira Park, British Columbia: Harbour Publishing. pp. 11–12. ISBN 1-55017-080-5.
^Cuthbert, Chris; Russell, Scott (1997). "Whitney Forum / Flin Flon Manitoba (Scott Russell)". The Rink - Stories From Hockey's Home Towns. Viking Press. pp. 209–210. ISBN 9780670875504. OCLC 37489854. Retrieved 2022-11-10 – via Internet Archive text collection.
^Cuthbert, Chris (1998). The Rink: Stores from Hockey's Home Towns. Toronto: Penguin. pp. 209–210. ISBN 9780140266023.
^Lapp, Richard; Macaulay, Alec (1997). The Memorial Cup: Canada's National Junior Hockey Championship. Madeira Park, B.C.: Harbour Publishing. p. 152. ISBN 1-55017-170-4.
^Drinnan, Gregg (2021-08-14). "1978-79 BWK Series — Day 17 — 1970s was a very different era". Brandon Sun. Archived from the original on 2024-05-13. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
^Dheensaw, Cleve (2015-09-20). "Mystery of the missing VIctoria Cougars champion banner". The Times-Colonist. Archived from the original on 2021-12-03. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
^Vrooman, Todd (2016-05-26). "Breaking New Ground: A History of the Winterhawks in the Memorial Cup". Portland Winterhawks. Archived from the original on 2024-05-07. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
^Vanstone, Rob (2020-12-29). "Ray Ferraro still treasures WHL-record 108-goal season". Regina Leader-Post. Archived from the original on 2020-12-29. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
^"1985 Memorial Cup winners celebrate 30th anniversary in Prince Albert". CBC News. 2015-03-13. Archived from the original on 2015-03-14.
^Dreyfuss, Glenn (2023-12-15). "THN Archive: 1985 "Rejuvenation" Of Seattle Thunderbirds Franchise". The Hockey News. Archived from the original on 2024-05-15. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
^"Memorial unveiled on 30th anniversary of crash that killed 4 Swift Current hockey players". CBC News. 2016-12-30. Archived from the original on 2016-12-31. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
^Coleman, Cory (2022-02-09). "Former Regina Pat Brad Hornung remembered for perseverance, positive attitude after death from cancer". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2022-02-10. Retrieved 2024-06-08.
^"Highest scoring seasons in major junior hockey history". Sportsnet. 2014-12-29. Archived from the original on 2015-07-30. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
^Morrison, Scott (2019-02-06). "From Tragedy to Triumph: The story of the Swift Current Broncos". Sportsnet. Archived from the original on 2023-07-31. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
^Thompson, Dan (2020-09-27). "Trip down Memorial Lane: Deadline deals provide boost Chiefs needed to get past Kamloops". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on 2020-09-29. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
^Kovac, Rob; Seitz, Earl (2020-02-22). "The Blazers 10 year dynasty". CFJC. Archived from the original on 2024-05-17. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
^"Red Deer Rebels win Memorial Cup in OT". CBC Sports. 2001-05-27. Archived from the original on 2016-06-05. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
^Coulter, Barry (2022-08-09). "20 years later: Kootenay Ice back in the news". Cranbrook Daily Townsman. Archived from the original on 2024-06-03. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
^"Rockets remember 2004 Memorial Cup". Canadian Hockey League. 2020-02-28. Archived from the original on 2024-05-17. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
^Stock, Curtis (2014-01-30). "Bob Tory works magic with Tri-City Americans". Edmonton Journal. Archived from the original on 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2024-05-16 – via pressreader.com.
^"WHL and Shaw Communications Inc. announces WHL hockey on Shaw". Western Hockey League. 2005-12-20. Archived from the original on 2024-06-05. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
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^"Giants capture franchise's first Memorial Cup". CBC Sports. 2007-05-27. Archived from the original on 2024-05-13. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
^Moravan, Monika (2010-05-21). "Canadian League teams and players to be included in EA Sports' NHL 11". The Hockey News. Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 2022-08-19. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
^Blanchette, John (2011-01-16). "Chiefs lit the fuse on perfect outdoor outcome". The Spokesman-Review. Archived from the original on 2011-01-19.
^Odland, Kristen (2011-02-21). "Hitmen clipped by Pats before record crowd". Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on 2014-11-09. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
^Olsen, Tyler (April 20, 2011). "WHL's Chilliwack Bruins are no more, moving to Victoria". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
^"Edmonton Oil Kings beat Guelph Storm in Memorial Cup final". CBC Sports. The Canadian Press. 2014-05-25. Archived from the original on 2014-05-26. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
^"Pats reflect on Memorial Cup final loss and say goodbye to teammates". CBC News. 2018-05-29. Archived from the original on 2018-05-30. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
^Guignard, Jonathan (2019-10-28). "'It was just like being a kid again': Regina Pats reflect on Prairie Classic". Global News. Archived from the original on 2019-10-30. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
^"WHL's Kootenay ICE to relocate to Winnipeg for 2019–20 season". The Province. The Canadian Press. 2019-01-29. Archived from the original on 2022-05-22.
^Flaherty, Ryan (2020-03-24). "WHL players, staff reflect on season being cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic". Global News. Archived from the original on 2020-03-27. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
^"WHL's B.C. Division clubs cleared to play in Kamloops, Kelowna bubbles". CBC Sports. 2021-03-02. Archived from the original on 2021-03-05. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
^"WHL season set to start on Oct.1 with plans to have fans in the stands". CBC News. 2021-06-16. Archived from the original on 2021-06-16. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
^"WHL cancels 2021 playoffs due to COVID-19 restrictions". CBC Sports. The Canadian Press. 2021-04-19. Archived from the original on 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
^Heidenreich, Phil (2022-06-14). "Edmonton Oil Kings capture WHL championship with Game 6 win over Seattle Thunderbirds". Global News. Archived from the original on 2022-06-14. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
^Ewen, Steve (2022-05-30). "Kamloops to host 2023 Memorial Cup as Blazers zero in on this year's WHL final". The Province. Archived from the original on 2022-05-30. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
^Shefte, Kate (2023-06-16). "Washington gets fifth WHL team, as Winnipeg Ice to become Wenatchee Wild". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
General
Drinnan, Gregg (2002-08-09). "WHL History, Part I: In the beginning..." Regina Leader-Post. Archived from the original on 2005-05-07. Retrieved 2022-11-10 – via Western Hockey League.
History of the WHL, from the Western Hockey League
Lapp, Richard M. & Silas White (1993). Local Heroes: A History of the Western Hockey League. Vancouver: Harbour Publishing. ISBN 1-55017-080-5
Lapp, Richard M. & Alec Mcaulay (1997). The Memorial Cup: Canada's National Junior Hockey Championship. Vancouver: Harbour Publishing. ISBN 1-55017-170-4
Western Hockey League history and statistics at HockeyDB
