Timeline of WHL history

Last updated

The Spokane Chiefs hosted the Kootenay Ice in the WHL's first outdoor game in January 2011. SpokaneChiefsOutdoorGame.JPG
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.

Contents

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

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

The Vancouver Giants celebrate their 2007 Memorial Cup victory on home ice. 2007 Memorial Cup celebration.JPG
The Vancouver Giants celebrate their 2007 Memorial Cup victory on home ice.

2010s

The Everett Silvertips hosting the Portland Winterhawks in 2023. Everett Silvertips vs. Portland at Angel of the Winds Arena, March 2023.jpg
The Everett Silvertips hosting the Portland Winterhawks in 2023.

2020s

Franchise timeline

Timeline of WHL history

Former memberCurrent member

See also

References

Inline

  1. "WHL History". Western Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2023-07-31. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Cuthbert, Chris (1998). The Rink: Stores from Hockey's Home Towns . Toronto: Penguin. pp. 209–210. ISBN   9780140266023.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. "1985 Memorial Cup winners celebrate 30th anniversary in Prince Albert". CBC News . 2015-03-13. Archived from the original on 2015-03-14.
  11. 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.
  12. "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.
  13. 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.
  14. "Highest scoring seasons in major junior hockey history". Sportsnet . 2014-12-29. Archived from the original on 2015-07-30. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. "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.
  19. 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.
  20. "Rockets remember 2004 Memorial Cup". Canadian Hockey League. 2020-02-28. Archived from the original on 2024-05-17. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  21. 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.
  22. "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.
  23. "Edmonton joins WHL as 22nd franchise". The Globe and Mail . The Canadian Press. 2006-03-17. Archived from the original on 2024-05-14. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
  24. "Giants capture franchise's first Memorial Cup". CBC Sports . 2007-05-27. Archived from the original on 2024-05-13. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  25. "Spokane Chiefs win Memorial Cup". CBC Sports . 2008-05-25. Archived from the original on 2013-10-06. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  26. 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.
  27. Blanchette, John (2011-01-16). "Chiefs lit the fuse on perfect outdoor outcome". The Spokesman-Review . Archived from the original on 2011-01-19.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. "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.
  31. "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.
  32. 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.
  33. "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.
  34. 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.
  35. "Bedard first to get exceptional status in WHL". TSN . The Canadian Press. 2020-03-24. Archived from the original on 2020-04-02. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  36. Reid, Glenn (2020-04-22). "Regina Pats name Connor Bedard top pick in draft". CBC News . Archived from the original on 2020-04-24. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  37. "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.
  38. "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.
  39. "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.
  40. 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.
  41. 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.
  42. 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.
  43. Wheeler, Scott; Pronman, Corey (2024-11-07). "NCAA votes to open up college eligibility to Canadian Hockey League players". The Athletic . New York Times. Archived from the original on 2024-11-09. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  44. Dort, Brit (2024-09-16). "Regina Pats' Whitehead speaks to media for first time since announcing historic NCAA commitment". CTV News . Regina. Archived from the original on 2024-09-17. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
  45. "WHL adds Penticton, looks for ownership in Chilliwack". Sportsnet . 2025-03-24. Archived from the original on 2025-03-25. Retrieved 2025-06-07.

General