The Western Hockey League reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Western Hockey League

The Western Hockey League is one of the three hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League.

The 20 teams of the WHL are divided into Western and Eastern conferences.

Table of contents

1 Eastern Conference teams 2 Western Conference teams 3 History 4 See also 5 External Links

Eastern Conference teams

The eastern conference is divided into the east and central divisions, which comprises teams from Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

East division

• Brandon (MB) Wheat Kings
• Moose Jaw (SK) Warriors
• Prince Albert (SK) Raiders
• Regina (SK) Pats
• Saskatoon (SK) Blades

Central division

• Calgary (AB) Hitmen
• Lethbridge (AB) Hurricanes
• Medicine Hat (AB) Tigers
• Red Deer (AB) Rebels
• Swift Current (SK) Broncos

Western Conference teams

The western conference is divided into the B.C. and U.S. divisions, which consist of teams from British Columbia, Oregon and Washington.

B.C. division

• Kamloops (BC) Blazers
• Kelowna (BC) Rockets
• Kootenay Ice (Cranbrook, British Columbia)
• Prince George (BC) Cougars
• Vancouver (BC) Giants

U.S. division

• Everett (WA) Silvertips
• Portland (OR) Winter Hawks
• Seattle (WA) Thunderbirds
• Spokane (WA) Chiefs
• Tri-Cities Americans (WA) (plays in Kennewick, Washington)

History

• 1968- League began play as the Western Canada Hockey League. There was 2 divisions: East (Flin Flon Bombers, Estevan Bruins, Winnipeg Jets, Brandon Wheat Kings); West (Edmonton Oil Kings, Calgary Centennials, Saskatoon Blades, Swift Current Broncos.
• 1970- Regina Pats are granted a franchise, and play in the Eastern Division; Medicine Hat Tigers are granted a frachise, and play in the Western Division.
• 1971- Estevan Bruins move to New Westminster, and play in the Western Division. Victoria Cougars, and Vancouver Nats granted franchises, both play in the Western Division. Swift Current and Saskatoon move the Eastern Division.
• 1973- Vancouver Nats move to Kamloops. Winnipeg Jets become Winnipeg Clubs.
• 1974- Swift Current Broncos move to Lethbridge
• 1976- League splits into 3 divisions: East (Brandon, Saskatoon, Flin-Flon, Regina); Central (Medicine Hat, Winnipeg, Lethbridge, Calgary); West (New Westminster, Kamloops, Portland, Victoria). Edmonton Oil Kings move to Portland. Winnipeg Clubs become Winnipeg Monarchs.
• 1977- Winnipeg Monarchs, and Kamloops Chiefs fold, Billings Bighorns are granted a franchise and play in the Central Division, Seattle Breakers granted a franchise and play in the Western Division. Calgary Centennials become the Calgary Wranglers.
• 1978 The WCHL become the Western Hockey League.

WHL history to come

See also

List of ice hockey leagues

External Links

• Official WHL web site
• Archive of standings and statistics

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