Western Hockey League [1968-2024] history and statistics

WHL History

The Western Hockey League is a Major Junior hockey league that has operated from 1968 to 2024.

WHL Seasons

Canadian Major Junior Hockey League
Year	Teams	Champion	Runner-Up	Result
	In: Estevan Bruins In: Calgary Buffaloes In: Edmonton Oil Kings In: Moose Jaw Canucks In: Regina Pats In: Saskatoon Blades In: Weyburn Red Wings
1966-67	7 Teams	Moose Jaw Canucks	Regina Pats	(4-1)

Western Canada Junior Hockey League
Year	Teams	Champion	Runner-Up	Result
Out: Calgary Buffaloes	In: Swift Current Broncos In: Brandon Wheat Kings In: Calgary Centennials In: Flin Flon Bombers In: Winnipeg Jets
1967-68	11 Teams	Estevan Bruins	Flin Flon Bombers	(4-0)

Western Canada Hockey League
Year	Teams	Champion	Runner-Up	Result
Out: Moose Jaw Canucks Out: Regina Pats Out: Weyburn Red Wings
1968-69	8 Teams
1969-70	8 Teams
	In: Medicine Hat Tigers In: Regina Pats
1970-71	10 Teams
Out: Estevan Bruins	In: Victoria Cougars In: New Westminster Bruins In: Vancouver Nats
1971-72	12 Teams
1972-73	12 Teams
Out: Vancouver Nats Out: Winnipeg Jets	In: Kamloops Chiefs In: Winnipeg Clubs
1973-74	12 Teams
Out: Swift Current Broncos	In: Lethbridge Broncos
1974-75	12 Teams	New Westminster Bruins	Saskatoon Blades	(4-3)
1975-76	12 Teams	New Westminster Bruins	Saskatoon Blades	(4-2)
Out: Edmonton Oil Kings Out: Winnipeg Clubs	In: Portland Winter Hawks In: Winnipeg Monarchs
1976-77	12 Teams	New Westminster Bruins	Brandon Wheat Kings	(4-1)
Out: Calgary Centennials Out: Kamloops Chiefs Out: Winnipeg Monarchs	In: Billings Bighorns In: Seattle Breakers In: Calgary Wranglers
1977-78	12 Teams	New Westminster Bruins	Billings Bighorns	(4-0)

Western Hockey League
Year	Teams	Champion	Runner-Up	Result
Out: Flin Flon Bombers	In: Edmonton Oil Kings
1978-79	12 Teams
Out: Edmonton Oil Kings	In: Great Falls Americans
1979-80	12 Teams
Out: Great Falls Americans	In: Winnipeg Warriors In: Spokane Flyers
1980-81	13 Teams
Out: New Westminster Bruins	In: Kamloops Junior Oilers
1981-82	13 Teams
Out: Billings Bighorns Out: Spokane Flyers	In: Nanaimo Islanders In: Kelowna Wings In: Prince Albert Raiders
1982-83	14 Teams
Out: Nanaimo Islanders	In: New Westminster Bruins
1983-84	14 Teams
Out: Winnipeg Warriors Out: Kamloops Junior Oilers	In: Moose Jaw Warriors In: Kamloops Blazers
1984-85	14 Teams
Out: Kelowna Wings Out: Seattle Breakers	In: Spokane Chiefs In: Seattle Thunderbirds
1985-86	14 Teams
Out: Lethbridge Broncos	In: Swift Current Broncos
1986-87	14 Teams
Out: Calgary Wranglers	In: Lethbridge Hurricanes
1987-88	14 Teams
Out: New Westminster Bruins	In: Tri-City Americans
1988-89	14 Teams
1989-90	14 Teams
1990-91	14 Teams
	In: Tacoma Rockets
1991-92	15 Teams
	In: Red Deer Rebels
1992-93	16 Teams
1993-94	16 Teams
Out: Victoria Cougars	In: Prince George Cougars
1994-95	16 Teams
Out: Tacoma Rockets	In: Kelowna Rockets In: Calgary Hitmen
1995-96	17 Teams
	In: Edmonton Ice
1996-97	18 Teams
1997-98	18 Teams
Out: Edmonton Ice	In: Kootenay Ice
1998-99	18 Teams
1999-00	18 Teams
2000-01	18 Teams
	In: Vancouver Giants
2001-02	19 Teams
2002-03	19 Teams	Kelowna Rockets	Red Deer Rebels	(4-2)
	In: Everett Silvertips
2003-04	20 Teams	Medicine Hat Tigers	Everett Silvertips	(4-0)
2004-05	20 Teams	Kelowna Rockets	Brandon Wheat Kings	(4-1)
2005-06	20 Teams	Vancouver Giants	Moose Jaw Warriors	(4-0)
	In: Chilliwack Bruins
2006-07	21 Teams	Medicine Hat Tigers	Vancouver Giants	(4-3)
	In: Edmonton Oil Kings
2007-08	22 Teams	Spokane Chiefs	Lethbridge Hurricanes	(4-0)
2008-09	22 Teams	Kelowna Rockets	Calgary Hitmen	(4-2)
Out: Portland Winter Hawks	In: Portland Winterhawks
2009-10	22 Teams	Calgary Hitmen	Tri-City Americans	(4-1)
2010-11	22 Teams	Kootenay Ice	Portland Winterhawks	(4-1)
Out: Chilliwack Bruins	In: Victoria Royals
2011-12	22 Teams	Edmonton Oil Kings	Portland Winterhawks	(4-3)
2012-13	22 Teams	Portland Winterhawks	Edmonton Oil Kings	(4-2)
2013-14	22 Teams	Edmonton Oil Kings	Portland Winterhawks	(4-3)
2014-15	22 Teams	Kelowna Rockets	Brandon Wheat Kings	(4-0)
2015-16	22 Teams	Brandon Wheat Kings	Seattle Thunderbirds	(4-1)
2016-17	22 Teams	Seattle Thunderbirds	Regina Pats	(4-2)
2017-18	22 Teams	Swift Current Broncos	Everett Silvertips	(4-2)
2018-19	22 Teams	Prince Albert Raiders	Vancouver Giants	(4-3)
Out: Kootenay Ice	In: Winnipeg Ice
2019-20	22 Teams	No champion
2020-21	22 Teams	No champion
2021-22	22 Teams	Edmonton Oil Kings	Seattle Thunderbirds	(4-2)
2022-23	22 Teams	Seattle Thunderbirds	Winnipeg Ice	(4-1)
Out: Winnipeg Ice	In: Wenatchee Wild
2023-24	22 Teams