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1995-96 WHL season

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Encyclopedia

The 1995–96 WHL season was the 30th 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...

. Seventeen teams completed a 72 game season. The 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...

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 Calgary Hitmen
Calgary Hitmen
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 . They play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Bret "The Hitman" Hart, a local-born professional wrestler, was a founding owner...

joined the WHL as it's 17th franchise, playing out of the Central division.
The Tacoma Rockets
Tacoma Rockets
The Tacoma Rockets were a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League from 1991 to 1995. They played at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. The Rockets were granted as an expansion franchise, but low attendance forced the team to move to Kelowna, British Columbia after only four seasons,...

relocated to Kelowna, British Columbia
Kelowna, British Columbia
Kelowna is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley, in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. Its name derives from a Okanagan language term for "grizzly bear"...

to become the Kelowna Rockets
Kelowna Rockets
The Kelowna Rockets are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Rockets play in the Western Hockey League , out of the Canadian Hockey League . They play their home games at Prospera Place....

.
The WHL divided into three divisions: The East and Central divisions formed the Eastern Conference, and consisded of five teams per division. The West division was made up of the seven B.C. and U.S. based teams.
The playoff format was changed so that the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference and the top six in the West division qualified. The 14 playoff qualifiers all played best of seven series in the first round. The East Semis were best of seven affairs, while the highest remaining seed in the West earned a bye. The remaining two West teams played a best of five series. Conference and League final series were best of seven.

Final standings

East Division	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA
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	52	19	1	105	369	231
x Prince Albert Raiders Prince Albert Raiders The Prince Albert Raiders are a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. The Raiders play in the East Division of the Eastern Conference. They are based in the Saskatchewan city of Prince Albert...	72	47	19	6	100	309	250
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	37	33	2	76	316	284
x 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	29	42	1	59	314	351
Moose Jaw Warriors Moose Jaw Warriors The Moose Jaw Warriors are a major junior ice hockey team of the Western Hockey League which are based out of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The team plays its home games at Mosaic Place. The franchise moved to Moose Jaw from Winnipeg after the 1983–84 season, where they had previously been named the...	72	18	49	5	41	223	331

Central Division	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA
x Swift Current Broncos Swift Current Broncos The Swift Current Broncos are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. Founded during 1967 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the Broncos played seven seasons before relocating to Lethbridge from 1974 to 1986 as the Lethbridge Broncos...	72	36	31	5	77	285	271
x Lethbridge Hurricanes Lethbridge Hurricanes The Lethbridge Hurricanes are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Conference of the Western Hockey League in Lethbridge, Alberta. They play their home games at the ENMAX Centre.-History:...	72	33	36	3	69	259	270
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	30	37	5	65	243	288
x Red Deer Rebels Red Deer Rebels The Red Deer Rebels are a Western Hockey League junior ice hockey team based in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. They play their home games at the ENMAX Centrium....	72	28	39	5	61	263	300
Calgary Hitmen Calgary Hitmen 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 . They play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Bret "The Hitman" Hart, a local-born professional wrestler, was a founding owner...	72	18	51	3	39	222	359

West Division	GP	W	L	T	Pts	GF	GA
x Spokane Chiefs Spokane Chiefs The Spokane Chiefs are a major junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League based out of Spokane, Washington. The team plays its home games at the Spokane Arena. Their uniforms are similar to those of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens. Spokane consistently ranks in the top 10 in the...	72	50	18	4	104	322	221
x Kamloops Blazers Kamloops Blazers The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...	72	48	22	2	98	343	257
x Tri-City Americans Tri-City Americans The Tri-City Americans are a major junior ice hockey team of the Western Hockey League, based in Kennewick, Washington. The team plays its home games at the Toyota Center...	72	45	25	2	92	336	255
x Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Rockets The Kelowna Rockets are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Rockets play in the Western Hockey League , out of the Canadian Hockey League . They play their home games at Prospera Place....	72	35	33	4	74	338	309
x Seattle Thunderbirds Seattle Thunderbirds The Seattle Thunderbirds are a junior ice hockey team based in Kent, a suburb of Seattle, Washington. They are part of the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey League, and play in the ShoWare Center...	72	29	36	7	65	255	281
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	30	39	3	63	283	301
Prince George Cougars Prince George Cougars The Prince George Cougars are a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. The team is based in Prince George, British Columbia, and plays its home games at the CN Centre...	72	17	53	2	36	219	340

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes

Player	Team	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
Mark Deyell	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:...	69	61	98	159	122
Frank Banham Frank Banham Frank Banham is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for KHL Medveščak Zagreb.-Playing career:Initially drafted 147th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Banham played 27 regular season games in the NHL for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim scoring 9...	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	83	69	152	116
Hnat Domenichelli Hnat Domenichelli Hnat A. Domenichelli is a Canadian-Swiss professional ice hockey player currently playing for HC Lugano of the Swiss National League A. He was drafted by the Hartford Whalers in the fourth round, 83rd overall, of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft...	Kamloops Blazers Kamloops Blazers The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...	62	59	89	148	37
Jarome Iginla Jarome Iginla Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis...	Kamloops Blazers Kamloops Blazers The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...	63	63	73	136	120
Robb Gordon Robb Gordon Robb Gordon is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played briefly in the National Hockey League for the Vancouver Canucks.-Playing career:...	Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Rockets The Kelowna Rockets are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Rockets play in the Western Hockey League , out of the Canadian Hockey League . They play their home games at Prospera Place....	58	51	63	114	84
Josh Holden Josh Holden Joshua Derek Adam Holden is a professional ice hockey centre. He was drafted in the first round, 12th overall, by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft...	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	57	55	112	105
Mike Leclerc Mike Leclerc -Playing career:Usually playing as left wing, Leclerc was drafted in the 3rd round, 55th overall, by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft...	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...	71	58	53	111	161
Clarke Wilm Clarke Wilm Clarke Wilm is a Canadian ice hockey centre. Wilm was drafted 150th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. He established himself in the NHL in the 1997–98 season after two seasons spent in Calgary's AHL affiliate. Was an avid deer hunter as a teenager...	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	49	61	110	83
Peter Shaefer	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...	69	47	61	108	53
Marty Flichel Marty Flichel Marty Flichel is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL. He was selected by the Dallas Stars in the 7th round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft....	Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Rockets The Kelowna Rockets are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Rockets play in the Western Hockey League , out of the Canadian Hockey League . They play their home games at Prospera Place....	69	28	79	107	107

Conference quarter-finals

Brandon defeated Saskatoon 4 games to 0
Regina defeated Lethbridge 4 games to 0
Prince Albert defeated Medicine Hat 4 games to 1
Red Deer defeated Swift Current 4 games to 2

Spokane defeated Portland 4 games to 3
Kamloops defeated Seattle 4 games to 1
Tri-City defeated Kelowna 4 games to 2

Conference semi-finals

Brandon defeated Red Deer 4 games to 0
Prince Albert defeated Regina 4 games to 3

Spokane earns bye
Kamloops defeated Tri-City 3 games to 2

Conference finals

Brandon defeated Prince Albert 4 games to 2
Spokane defeated Kamloops 4 games to 2

All-Star game

On January 23, the Eastern Conference defeated the Western Conference 10–7 at Prince George, British Columbia

Prince George, British Columbia

Prince George, with a population of 71,030 , is the largest city in northern British Columbia, Canada, and is known as "BC's Northern Capital"...

with a crowd of 5,992.

WHL awards

Player of the Year - Four Broncos Memorial Trophy

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...

: Jarome Iginla

Jarome Iginla

Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis...

, Kamloops Blazers

Kamloops Blazers

The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...

Scholastic Player of the Year - Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy

Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy

The Daryl K. Seaman Trophy is presented annually to the top scholastic player in the Western Hockey League. It is named for Daryl K. Seaman, a native of Calgary who worked for years to promote the cause of higher education in junior hockey....

: Bryce Salvador

Bryce Salvador

Bryce Chad Salvador is a professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the New Jersey Devils of the NHL. Salvador was drafted in the sixth round, 138th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. Salvador was traded from the St. Louis Blues to the Devils for Cam...

, Lethbridge Hurricanes

Lethbridge Hurricanes

The Lethbridge Hurricanes are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Conference of the Western Hockey League in Lethbridge, Alberta. They play their home games at the ENMAX Centre.-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...

: Mark Deyell, 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:...

Most Sportsmanlike Player - Brad Hornung Trophy

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:...

: Hnat Domenichelli

Hnat Domenichelli

Hnat A. Domenichelli is a Canadian-Swiss professional ice hockey player currently playing for HC Lugano of the Swiss National League A. He was drafted by the Hartford Whalers in the fourth round, 83rd overall, of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft...

, Kamloops Blazers

Kamloops Blazers

The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...

Top Defenseman - Bill Hunter Trophy: Nolan Baumgartner

Nolan Baumgartner

Nolan Baumgartner is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays within the Vancouver Canucks organization of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...

, Kamloops Blazers

Kamloops Blazers

The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...

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 :...

: Chris Phillips

Chris Phillips

Chris Phillips is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He has been a member of the Ottawa Senators for his entire career, which began with the 1997–98 season. He also serves as their alternate captain and is regarded...

, Prince Albert Raiders

Prince Albert Raiders

The Prince Albert Raiders are a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. The Raiders play in the East Division of the Eastern Conference. They are based in the Saskatchewan city of Prince Albert...

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 :...

: David Lemamowicz, Spokane Chiefs

Spokane Chiefs

The Spokane Chiefs are a major junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League based out of Spokane, Washington. The team plays its home games at the Spokane Arena. Their uniforms are similar to those of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens. Spokane consistently ranks in the top 10 in the...

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...

: Bob Lowes, Brandon Wheat Kings

Brandon Wheat Kings

Executive of the Year - Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy

Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy

The Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top executive in the Western Hockey League. It is named for former broadcaster Lloyd Saunders.-Winners:-See also:*OHL Executive of the Year...

: Tim Speltz, Spokane Chiefs

Spokane Chiefs

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...

: Brandon Wheat Kings

Brandon Wheat Kings

Top Official - Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy

Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy

The Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy is awarded annually by the Western Hockey League to its top on-ice official as voted by the league's coaches and general managers....

: Lonnie Cameron

Marketing/Public Relations Award - St. Clair Group Trophy

St. Clair Group Trophy

The St. Clair Group Trophy is awarded annually by the Western Hockey League to its top public relations and marketing personnel. It has been handed out since 1989–90.-List of winners:...

: Dave Pier, Spokane Chiefs

Spokane Chiefs

Humanitarian of the Year

WHL Humanitarian of the Year Award

The Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy is an annual award given to the Western Hockey League humanitarian of the year. The winner is the player who best shows a commitment to his community and to humanitarian values....

- Darryl Laplante

Darryl Laplante

Darryl Laplante is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in 35 career National Hockey League games for the Detroit Red Wings.-Playing career:...

, Moose Jaw Warriors

Moose Jaw Warriors

The Moose Jaw Warriors are a major junior ice hockey team of the Western Hockey League which are based out of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The team plays its home games at Mosaic Place. The franchise moved to Moose Jaw from Winnipeg after the 1983–84 season, where they had previously been named the...

WHL Plus-Minus Award

The Plus-Minus Award is given annually to the player who finishes with the top plus/minus in the Western Hockey League. It has been awarded since 1987.-List of winners:...

: Hugh Hamilton, Spokane Chiefs

Spokane Chiefs

Playoff Most Valuable Player - airBC Trophy: Bobby Brown

Bobby Brown

Robert Barisford "Bobby" Brown is an American R&B singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and dancer. After success in pop group New Edition, Brown began his solo career in 1987 and had a string of Top 10 Billboard hits, culminating in a Grammy Award. He was a pioneer of New Jack Swing music, a...

, Brandon Wheat Kings

Brandon Wheat Kings