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The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canada-based major junior ice hockey leagues. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. For the 2023–24 season, its three leagues and 60 teams represent nine Canadian provinces as well as four American states.
The Western Hockey League (WHL) is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitutes the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada, alongside the Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. Teams play for the Ed Chynoweth Cup, with the winner moving on to play for the Memorial Cup, Canada's national junior championship. WHL teams have won the Memorial Cup 19 times. Many players have been drafted from WHL teams, and have found success at various levels of professional hockey, including the National Hockey League (NHL).
The Calgary Hitmen are a major junior ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Hitmen play in the Central Division of the Western Hockey League (WHL). They play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Bret "Hitman" Hart, a local-born professional wrestler, was a founding owner as well as the inspiration for the team's name. Established in 1994, the team has been owned by the Calgary Flames hockey club since 1997. They are the third WHL team to represent Calgary, preceded by the Centennials and Wranglers.
Douglas Peter Wickenheiser was a Canadian ice hockey player, who was drafted first overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft.
The Four Broncos Memorial Trophy is awarded each year to the Western Hockey League's Player of the Year.
The Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy is awarded each year to an Ontario Hockey League player who is a positive role model, and makes a notable humanitarian contribution within his community. Originally known as the OHL Humanitarian of the Year award, it was renamed in honour of former Owen Sound Platers captain Dan Snyder, who died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in October 2003. Each winner is also nominated for the CHL Humanitarian of the Year award.
The Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy is presented annually to the Western Hockey League player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition. The award is named after Saskatoon Blades founder Jim Piggott, one of the founding fathers of what is today the Western Hockey League.
Chris Nielsen is a Tanzanian-born Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. Nielsen was drafted in the 2nd round, 36th overall by the New York Islanders in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He played parts of two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the defenceman of the year in the Western Hockey League (WHL). It is named after one of the league's founders, Bill Hunter, who was the driving force behind the creation of the WHL. Hunter served as the owner, general manager and head coach of the Edmonton Oil Kings, and was the first Chairman of the Board of the new league.
The Brad Hornung Trophy is awarded annually to the most sportsmanlike player of the Western Hockey League. First presented in 1967, it was later renamed in honour of former Regina Pats player Brad Hornung who was paralyzed during a game on March 1, 1987.
The CHL Player of the Year award is given out annually to the player judged to be the most outstanding in the Canadian Hockey League. It is selected from three most valuable players of the respective leagues; the Red Tilson Trophy of Ontario Hockey League, the Michel Brière Memorial Trophy of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, and the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy of the Western Hockey League.
The CHL Defenceman of the Year Award is given out annually to the top defenceman in the Canadian Hockey League. It is chosen from the winners of the league trophies, the Max Kaminsky Trophy of the Ontario Hockey League, the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy of the Western Hockey League, and the Emile Bouchard Trophy of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.
The Brian Kilrea Coach of the Year Award is given out annually to the coach of the year in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). Originally called the CHL Coach of the Year Award, the trophy was renamed in 2003 to honour Brian Kilrea when he won his 1,000th game as the coach of the Ottawa 67's. Kilrea has won more games than any other coach in Canadian junior hockey history, two Memorial Cup championships and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003. He was named the OHL's top coach five times in his 32-year coaching career, and won the CHL Coach of the Year Award once, in 1996–97.
The CHL Humanitarian of the Year Award is given out annually to the Canadian Hockey League player judged to have made the most notable contribution to his community in a humanitarian sense. It is chosen from the winners of the QMJHL Humanitarian of the Year, the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy (OHL), or the Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy (WHL).
The Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the Coach of the Year in the Western Hockey League. It was originally known as the WHL Coach of the Year Award until 1983, when named in honour of Dunc McCallum, who coached the Brandon Wheat Kings from 1976–81, compiling a 251–123–41 record during that time, winning the WHL Championship in 1979.
Jesse Wallin is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in 49 career National Hockey League games for the Detroit Red Wings. He was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, but was raised and played his minor hockey in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. He was the General Manager and Head Coach of the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL) for five seasons, and is currently an amateur scout for the Detroit Red Wings.
The 1980 Memorial Cup occurred May 4–11 at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba and at the Agridome in Regina, Saskatchewan. It was the 62nd annual Memorial Cup competition and determined the major junior ice hockey champion of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). Participating teams were the winners of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League which were the Peterborough Petes, Cornwall Royals and Regina Pats. Cornwall won their second Memorial Cup, defeating Peterborough in the final game.
Brandin Cote is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey centre who last played for the Fischtown Pinguins in the German 2nd Bundesliga in 2008–09. In 2002, Cote signed with the Chicago Blackhawks as a free agent. He played three seasons for Norfolk then moved to England to play for the Nottingham Panthers. He returned for one more season with Norfolk, then played for the Texas Wildcatters. He returned to Europe for two seasons before retiring in 2009.
Taylor Vause is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is currently playing with the EC Bad Nauheim in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga 2 (DEL2).
Logan Stankoven is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL)). He was drafted in the second round, 47th overall, by the Stars in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.