1979-80 WHL season
Encyclopedia
The 1979–80 WHL season was the 14th season
for the Western Hockey League
. Eleven teams completed a 72 game season. The Regina Pats
won the President's Cup
.
1Folded mid-season
Season (sports)
In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...
for the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
. Eleven teams completed a 72 game season. The Regina Pats
Regina Pats
The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:...
won the President's Cup
President's Cup (WHL)
The Ed Chynoweth Cup is an ice hockey club championship trophy awarded to the playoff champion of the Western Hockey League . Originally called the President's Cup when the league was founded in 1966, the trophy was renamed in 2007 to honour Ed Chynoweth's long service to junior hockey in Canada...
.
League notes
- The Edmonton Oil Kings relocated to Great Falls, MontanaGreat Falls, MontanaGreat Falls is a city in and the county seat of Cascade County, Montana, United States. The population was 58,505 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Great Falls, Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Cascade County...
to become the Great Falls Americans, however the team only lasted 28 games, as the Americans ceased operations on December 16, 1979. - The WHL abandoned the three division format, opting instead for a two division format of eight teams in the East and four in the West.
Final standings
| East Division | GP | W | L | T | Pts | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| x Regina Pats Regina Pats The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:... |
72 | 47 | 24 | 1 | 95 | 429 | 311 |
| x Calgary Wranglers Calgary Wranglers The Calgary Wranglers were a junior ice hockey team that played in the Western Hockey League from 1977 until 1987. The Wranglers played their home games in Calgary, Alberta, at the Stampede Corral.-Season-by-season Record:... |
72 | 43 | 27 | 2 | 88 | 376 | 319 |
| x Medicine Hat Tigers Medicine Hat Tigers The Medicine Hat Tigers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League who play out of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Established in 1970, the team has won two national Memorial Cups, five WHL League Championships and seven Division Titles. The Tigers play at the Medicine Hat Arena.... |
72 | 37 | 30 | 5 | 79 | 344 | 315 |
| x Billings Bighorns Billings Bighorns The Billings Bighorns were a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League who played from 1977 to 1982. The team was originally the Calgary Centennials. They played at the MetraPark Arena in Billings, Montana. The team wore uniforms based upon those then used by the Washington Capitals... |
72 | 37 | 34 | 1 | 75 | 326 | 284 |
| x Brandon Wheat Kings Brandon Wheat Kings The Brandon Wheat Kings are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Brandon, Manitoba. They compete in the Western Hockey League, and joined the league in the 1967–68 season. Prior to that they played in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and were known as the Brandon Elks for a short time in the... |
72 | 33 | 37 | 2 | 68 | 319 | 343 |
| x Lethbridge Broncos Lethbridge Broncos The Lethbridge Broncos were a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League from 1974 until 1986. They played at the Lethbridge Sportsplex.-Season-by-season record:... |
72 | 28 | 39 | 5 | 61 | 329 | 349 |
| Saskatoon Blades Saskatoon Blades The Saskatoon Blades are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Division of the Western Hockey League. They are based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, playing at the 15,195 seat Credit Union Centre.-History:... |
72 | 27 | 40 | 5 | 59 | 331 | 382 |
| Great Falls Americans1 | 28 | 2 | 25 | 1 | 5 | 73 | 186 |
| West Division | GP | W | L | T | Pts | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| x Portland Winter Hawks Portland Winter Hawks The Portland Winterhawks are a major junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League, a member league in the Canadian Hockey League. They play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum, though typically a few games each season are also played in the... |
72 | 53 | 18 | 1 | 107 | 398 | 293 |
| x Victoria Cougarss | 72 | 51 | 21 | 0 | 102 | 349 | 226 |
| x Seattle Breakers | 72 | 29 | 41 | 2 | 60 | 297 | 364 |
| New Westminster Bruins New Westminster Bruins The New Westminster Bruins were a junior ice hockey team from the Western Hockey League. There were two franchises that carried this name:* 1971–1981... |
72 | 10 | 61 | 1 | 21 | 244 | 443 |
1Folded mid-season
Scoring leaders
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes| Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doug Wickenheiser Doug Wickenheiser Douglas Peter Wickenheiser was a Canadian ice hockey player. He was drafted first overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft.-Career:Wickenheiser was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada... |
Regina Pats Regina Pats The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:... |
71 | 89 | 81 | 170 | 99 |
| Tim Tookey Tim Tookey Timothy Raymond Tookey is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for the Washington Capitals, Quebec Nordiques, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings.... |
Portland Winter Hawks Portland Winter Hawks The Portland Winterhawks are a major junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League, a member league in the Canadian Hockey League. They play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum, though typically a few games each season are also played in the... |
70 | 58 | 83 | 141 | 55 |
| Barry Pederson Barry Pederson Barry Alan Pederson is a retired professional ice hockey centre who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League between 1980 and 1992... |
Victoria Cougars | 72 | 52 | 88 | 140 | 50 |
| Kelly Kisio Kelly Kisio Kelvin Wade Kisio is a former professional ice hockey player. Born in Peace River, Alberta, he is currently the General Manager of the Calgary Hitmen.... |
Calgary Wranglers Calgary Wranglers The Calgary Wranglers were a junior ice hockey team that played in the Western Hockey League from 1977 until 1987. The Wranglers played their home games in Calgary, Alberta, at the Stampede Corral.-Season-by-season Record:... |
71 | 65 | 73 | 138 | 64 |
| Jim Dobson Jim Dobson (ice hockey) Jim Dobson is a retired NHL forward. He played in 12 NHL games with the Minnesota North Stars, Colorado Rockies, and Quebec Nordiques.-External links:... |
Portland Winter Hawks Portland Winter Hawks The Portland Winterhawks are a major junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League, a member league in the Canadian Hockey League. They play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum, though typically a few games each season are also played in the... |
72 | 66 | 68 | 134 | 179 |
| Ryan Flockhard | Regina Pats Regina Pats The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:... |
65 | 54 | 76 | 130 | 63 |
| Gord Williams Gord Williams Gordon James Williams is a retired professional ice hockey player. He played 2 NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers. He is the younger brother of Fred Williams.-External links:... |
Lethbridge Broncos Lethbridge Broncos The Lethbridge Broncos were a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League from 1974 until 1986. They played at the Lethbridge Sportsplex.-Season-by-season record:... |
72 | 57 | 65 | 122 | 92 |
| Darren Veitch Darren Veitch Darren William Veitch is a retired former professional ice hockey player whose career was beset by injuries. He won a Ed Chynoweth Cup with the Regina Pats in 1980 to cap off a stellar junior career... |
Regina Pats Regina Pats The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:... |
71 | 29 | 93 | 122 | 118 |
| Brian Varga | Regina Pats Regina Pats The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:... |
70 | 39 | 79 | 118 | 97 |
| Doug Morrison Doug Morrison Doug Morrison is a professional ice hockey player who played 23 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Boston Bruins. Scored seven goals and three assists.- References :... |
Lethbridge Broncos Lethbridge Broncos The Lethbridge Broncos were a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League from 1974 until 1986. They played at the Lethbridge Sportsplex.-Season-by-season record:... |
68 | 58 | 59 | 117 | 188 |
First round
- Regina defeated Lethbridge 4 games to 0
- Brandon defeated Calgary 4 games to 3
- Medicine Hat defeated Billings 4 games to 3
Division semi-finals
Round Robin format- Medicine Hat (3–1) advanced
- Regina (2–2) advanced
- Brandon (1–3) eliminated
- Victoria (5–3) advanced
- Seattle (4–4) advanced
- Portland (3–5) eliminated
Division finals
- Regina defeated Medicine Hat 4 games to 1
- Victoria defeated Seattle 4 games to 0
WHL awards
| Most Valuable Player Four Broncos Memorial Trophy The Four Broncos Memorial Trophy is awarded each year to the Western Hockey League's Player of the Year.The trophy is named in honour of four members of the Swift Current Broncos who were killed on December 30, 1986 in the Swift Current Broncos bus crash, an accident that occurred when the team bus... : Doug Wickenheiser Doug Wickenheiser Douglas Peter Wickenheiser was a Canadian ice hockey player. He was drafted first overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft.-Career:Wickenheiser was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada... , Regina Pats Regina Pats The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:... |
| Top Scorer - Bob Clarke Trophy Bob Clarke Trophy The Bob Clarke Trophy is awarded annually to the top scorer in the Western Hockey League.It is named after National Hockey League Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke who was one of the WHL's early stars... : Doug Wickenheiser Doug Wickenheiser Douglas Peter Wickenheiser was a Canadian ice hockey player. He was drafted first overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft.-Career:Wickenheiser was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada... , Regina Pats Regina Pats The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:... |
| Most Sportsmanlike Player Brad Hornung Trophy The Brad Hornung Trophy is awarded annually to the most sportsmanlike player of the Western Hockey League.It is named after former Regina Pats player Brad Hornung who was paralyzed during a game on March 1, 1987.-List of winners:... : Steve Tsujirua, Medicine Hat Tigers Medicine Hat Tigers The Medicine Hat Tigers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League who play out of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Established in 1970, the team has won two national Memorial Cups, five WHL League Championships and seven Division Titles. The Tigers play at the Medicine Hat Arena.... |
| Top Defenseman - Bill Hunter Trophy: Dave Babych Dave Babych David Michael Babych is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who spent 19 seasons in the National Hockey League . He is currently an assistant director of player personnel with the Vancouver Canucks... , Portland Winter Hawks Portland Winter Hawks The Portland Winterhawks are a major junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League, a member league in the Canadian Hockey League. They play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum, though typically a few games each season are also played in the... |
| Rookie of the Year - Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy The Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top rookie in the Western Hockey League.The award is named after Jim Piggott who was the founder of the WHL's Saskatoon Blades, as well as one of the first presidents of the league.- Winners :... : Grant Fuhr Grant Fuhr Grant Scott Fuhr is a Canadian former ice hockey goaltender in the National Hockey League and currently the goaltending coach for the Phoenix Coyotes. In 2003, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame... , Victoria Cougars |
| Top Goaltender - Del Wilson Trophy Del Wilson Trophy The Del Wilson Trophy is awarded to the top goaltender of the Western Hockey League.The award is named after Del Wilson, who was the general manager of the Regina Pats when they won the Memorial Cup in 1974.- Winners :... : Kevin Eastman Kevin Eastman Kevin Brooks Eastman is an American comic book artist and writer, best known as the creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Eastman is also the current owner, editor and publisher of the magazine Heavy Metal.-Early life:Eastman was born on May 30, 1962 in Springvale, Maine... , Victoria Cougars |
| Coach of the Year - Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy The Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the Coach of the Year in the Western Hockey League. It was 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.-List of... : Doug Sauter, Calgary Wranglers Calgary Wranglers The Calgary Wranglers were a junior ice hockey team that played in the Western Hockey League from 1977 until 1987. The Wranglers played their home games in Calgary, Alberta, at the Stampede Corral.-Season-by-season Record:... |
| Regular season Champions - Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy The Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the regular season champion of the Western Hockey League.It is named after one of the league's founders, Scotty Munro... : Portland Winter Hawks Portland Winter Hawks The Portland Winterhawks are a major junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League, a member league in the Canadian Hockey League. They play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum, though typically a few games each season are also played in the... |
See also
- 1980 Memorial Cup1980 Memorial CupThe 1980 Memorial Cup occurred May 4-May 11 at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba and at the Regina Agridome in Regina, Saskatchewan. Participating teams were the winners of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and Western Hockey League which were the...
- 1980 NHL Entry Draft1980 NHL Entry DraftThe 1980 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Montreal Forum. This was the first time that an NHL arena hosted the draft. The National Hockey League teams selected 210 players eligible for entry into professional ranks, in the reverse order of the 1979–80 NHL season and playoff standings. This is the...
- 1979 in sports1979 in sports1979 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Peter Lüscher, Switzerland** Women's overall season champion: Annemarie Moser-Pröll, Austria-American football:...
- 1980 in sports1980 in sports1980 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup:** Men's overall season champion: Andreas Wenzel, Liechtenstein** Women's overall season champion: Hanni Wenzel, Liechtenstein...