Sports season
Sports season
The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects , took place mid-season from November 26 to 27, 2008. The Calgary Hitmen won the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy with the best regular season record. The playoffs commenced on March 20, and concluded on May 9. The Kelowna Rockets won the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions, defeating the Hitmen in the championship series and earning a berth at the 2009 Memorial Cup tournament.
WHL Commissioner, Ron Robison, dedicated the 2008–09 season to Ed Chynoweth .[1]
2008–09: Ed Chynoweth's season [ edit ]
The 2008–09 WHL Season will allow us to showcase some of the finest young hockey talent in the world today. We fully expect each WHL Division will feature highly competitive races as our clubs battle for a playoff position.
—
Ron Robison, WHL Commissioner [1]
WHL Commissioner Ron Robison dedicated the 2008–09 season to long-time league president Ed Chynoweth , who died on April 22, 2008.[2] His death occurred just over a year after the WHL Championship trophy was renamed in his honour.[3] Throughout the 2008–09 season, the helmets of all the players and officials displayed a commemorative decal.[1]
League notes [ edit ]
Off-season
June 17, 2008 — Ed Chynoweth was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame .[2]
June 20–21, 2008 — 37 WHL players were selected in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft .[4]
June 24, 2008 — 16 WHL players were invited to the National Men's Under-18 Selection Camp.[5]
June 25, 2008 — 17 WHL players were invited to the Hockey Canada 's National Junior Team Development Camp.[6]
June 26, 2008 — The WHL entered into a partnership with Hockey Manitoba , providing additional financial support for their hockey system.[7]
July 7, 2008 — Saskatoon and Regina were chosen as hosts to the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship .[8]
July 23, 2008 — 18 WHL players attended Canada's National Junior Team Development Camp in Ottawa , Ontario .[9]
July 30, 2008 — Brandon Wheat Kings athletic trainer Rob "Stofe" Stouffer died of liver cancer.[10]
August 5, 2008 — 10 WHL players were named to Canada's Under-18 Summer Team at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament .[11] [12]
August 7, 2008 — 6 WHL players were invited to the 2008 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid , New York .[13]
August 16, 2008 — Canada's National Men's Summer Under-18 Team claimed first place at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka tournament, with a 6–3 win over Russia.[14]
Regular season
Regular season [ edit ]
Calgary Hitmen forwards Carson McMillan and Kyle Bortis accept the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as the 2008–09 regular season champions.
Standings [ edit ]
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
Divisions
Conference standings
x - clinched playoff spot, z - clinched best conference record
x - clinched playoff spot, z - clinched best conference record
Scoring leaders [ edit ]
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts. = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
Goaltending leaders [ edit ]
Note: GP = Games played; Mins = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = Overtime losses; SOL = Shootout Losses; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average; Sv% = Save percentage
* - Previously played for Saskatoon Blades .
Players [ edit ]
2008 NHL Entry Draft [ edit ]
37 WHL players were selected at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft .[4] This was more than any other hockey league in the world.[26]
2008 NHL Entry Draft (WHL draftees)
Contracts and scholarships [ edit ]
Canada-Russia Challenge [ edit ]
The ADT Canada Russia Challenge was a six-game series featuring four teams: three from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL)—one team from each of the QMJHL, the OHL, and the WHL—versus Russia's national junior hockey team .
The ADT Canada Russia Challenge has become a highlight on the CHL schedule and we are very proud to be associated with it. These two nations have such a storied hockey history that fans from across the country tune in expecting to see a hard fought series. We expect nothing short of world class hockey this November that hockey fans from across the country won't want to miss.
—
Joe O'Connell, Regional Vice-President of Canada [35]
The 2008 series was held in six cities across Canada. The series begun on November 17, 2008, and concluded on November 27, 2008.[35] Both Western Hockey League games were held in Saskatchewan. Former Prince Albert Raider forward Dan Hodgson was Honorary Captain for the final game in the series, held in Prince Albert on November 27, 2008.[36]
Results [ edit ]
#
Date
Visitor
Score
Home
Attendance
Location
Recap
1
November 17, 2008
Russian Selects
3–5
Team QMJHL
4,378
Sydney, Nova Scotia
[1]
2
November 19, 2008
Russian Selects
4–3
Team QMJHL
6,451
Saint John, New Brunswick
[2]
3
November 20, 2008
Russian Selects
6–3
Team OHL
4,751
Guelph, Ontario
[3]
4
November 24, 2008
Russian Selects
2–3
Team OHL
3,145
St. Catharines, Ontario
[4]
5
November 26, 2008
Russian Selects
0–5
Team WHL
2,800
Swift Current, Saskatchewan
[5]
6
November 27, 2008
Russian Selects
1–2
Team WHL
2,749
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
[6]
2009 WHL Playoffs [ edit ]
Overview [ edit ]
Conference Quarter-finals [ edit ]
Eastern Conference [ edit ]
(1) Calgary vs. (8) Edmonton
Date
Away
Score
Home
March 19
Edmonton
0–5
Calgary
March 22
Edmonton
1–2 OT
Calgary
March 23
Calgary
4–1
Edmonton
March 25
Calgary
4–1
Edmonton
Calgary wins 4–0
(2) Saskatoon vs. (7) Lethbridge
Date
Away
Score
Home
March 20
Lethbridge
1–5
Saskatoon
March 21
Lethbridge
5–2
Saskatoon
March 24
Saskatoon
3–1
Lethbridge
March 25
Saskatoon
1–2
Lethbridge
March 28
Lethbridge
3–1
Saskatoon
March 30
Saskatoon
5–1
Lethbridge
April 1
Lethbridge
4–3
Saskatoon
Lethbridge wins 4–3
(3) Brandon vs. (6) Kootenay
Date
Away
Score
Home
March 20
Kootenay
2–7
Brandon
March 21
Kootenay
1–4
Brandon
March 24
Brandon
4–3 OT
Kootenay
March 25
Brandon
4–3
Kootenay
Brandon wins 4–0
(4) Swift Current vs. (5) Medicine Hat
Date
Away
Score
Home
March 20
Medicine Hat
2–4
Swift Current
March 21
Medicine Hat
6–2
Swift Current
March 24
Swift Current
5–2
Medicine Hat
March 25
Swift Current
3–5
Medicine Hat
March 27
Medicine Hat
3–5
Swift Current
March 29
Swift Current
0–3
Medicine Hat
March 31
Medicine Hat
4–1
Swift Current
Medicine Hat wins 4–3
Western Conference [ edit ]
(1) Vancouver vs. (8) Prince George
Date
Away
Score
Home
March 20
Prince George
2–8
Vancouver
March 21
Prince George
1–9
Vancouver
March 24
Vancouver
3–2 OT
Prince George
March 25
Vancouver
3–2
Prince George
Vancouver wins 4–0
(2) Tri-City vs. (7) Everett
Date
Away
Score
Home
March 20
Everett
5–6 OT
Tri-City
March 21
Everett
3–2
Tri-City
March 25
Tri-City
4–2
Everett
March 27
Tri-City
4–1
Everett
March 28
Everett
1–6
Tri-City
Tri-City wins 4–1
(3) Kelowna vs. (6) Kamloops
Date
Away
Score
Home
March 20
Kamloops
2–4
Kelowna
March 21
Kamloops
1–5
Kelowna
March 24
Kelowna
3–2 OT
Kamloops
March 25
Kelowna
5–2
Kamloops
Kelowna wins 4–0
(4) Spokane vs. (5) Seattle
Date
Away
Score
Home
March 20
Seattle
1–2
Spokane
March 21
Seattle
2–1
Spokane
March 24
Spokane
5–1
Seattle
March 25
Spokane
3–2
Seattle
March 28
Seattle
3–5
Spokane
Spokane wins 4–1
Conference Semi-finals [ edit ]
Eastern Conference
(1) Calgary vs. (7) Lethbridge
Date
Away
Score
Home
April 3
Lethbridge
1–7
Calgary
April 5
Lethbridge
1–2
Calgary
April 7
Calgary
4–2
Lethbridge
April 8
Calgary
6–0
Lethbridge
Calgary wins 4–0
(3) Brandon vs. (5) Medicine Hat
Date
Away
Score
Home
April 4
Brandon
6–3
Medicine Hat
April 5
Brandon
8–6
Medicine Hat
April 8
Medicine Hat
1–6
Brandon
April 10
Medicine Hat
2–6
Brandon
Brandon wins 4–0
Western Conference
(1) Vancouver vs. (4) Spokane
Date
Away
Score
Home
April 3
Spokane
1–3
Vancouver
April 5
Spokane
1–4
Vancouver
April 7
Vancouver
2–5
Spokane
April 8
Vancouver
0–1
Spokane
April 10
Spokane
3–2 4OT
Vancouver
April 12
Vancouver
3–2 2OT
Spokane
April 14
Spokane
0–1 OT
Vancouver
Vancouver wins 4–3
(2) Tri-City vs. (3) Kelowna
Date
Away
Score
Home
April 3
Kelowna
3–4
Tri-City
April 4
Kelowna
2–3
Tri-City
April 7
Tri-City
2–7
Kelowna
April 8
Tri-City
3–4 OT
Kelowna
April 10
Kelowna
5–2
Tri-City
April 12
Tri-City
2–6
Kelowna
Kelowna wins 4–2
Conference Finals [ edit ]
Eastern Conference
Western Conference
(1) Calgary vs. (3) Brandon
Date
Away
Score
Home
April 17
Brandon
3–9
Calgary
April 19
Brandon
4–5
Calgary
April 21
Calgary
4–3 OT
Brandon
April 22
Calgary
6–4
Brandon
Calgary wins 4–0
(1) Vancouver vs. (3) Kelowna
Date
Away
Score
Home
April 18
Kelowna
4–2
Vancouver
April 19
Kelowna
3–4 OT
Vancouver
April 21
Vancouver
3–2
Kelowna
April 23
Vancouver
0–3
Kelowna
April 25
Kelowna
1–0
Vancouver
April 27
Vancouver
4–5 OT
Kelowna
Kelowna wins 4–2
WHL Championship [ edit ]
Calgary vs. Kelowna
Date
Away
Score
Home
May 1
Kelowna
3–1
Calgary
May 2
Kelowna
5–2
Calgary
May 4
Calgary
0–2
Kelowna
May 6
Calgary
6–2
Kelowna
May 7
Kelowna
1–6
Calgary
May 9
Calgary
2–3 OT
Kelowna
Kelowna wins 4–2
Memorial Cup [ edit ]
The 91st Memorial Cup was held in Rimouski , Quebec .[37]
WHL awards [ edit ]
All-Star Teams [ edit ]
See also [ edit ]
References [ edit ]
^ a b c d "WHL Dedicates 43rd Regular season to Ed Chynoweth" . WHL. September 19, 2008. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2008 .
^ a b "Ed Chynoweth Elected to Hockey Hall of Fame" . WHL. June 17, 2008. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2008 .
^ "WHL RENAMES CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY – THE ED CHYNOWETH CUP" . WHL. May 20, 2007. Archived from "-the-ed-chynoweth-cup-p125431 the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved October 3, 2008 .
^ a b "37 WHL Players selected in 2008 NHL Entry Draft" . WHL. June 23, 2008. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2008 .
^ "16 WHL Players invited to Hockey Canada's National Men's Summer Under-18 Selection Camp" . WHL. June 24, 2008. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved October 7, 2008 .
^ "17 WHL Players invited to Hockey Canada's National Junior Team Development Camp" . WHL. June 25, 2008. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved October 23, 2008 .
^ "WHL enters into Partnership with Hockey Manitoba" . WHL. June 26, 2008. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved October 23, 2008 .
^ "Saskatoon and Regina to host 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship" . WHL. July 7, 2008. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved October 23, 2008 .
^ "18 WHL Players set to attend Canada's National Junior Team Development Camp in Ottawa" . WHL. July 23, 2008. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved October 23, 2008 .
^ "Stouffer Loses Battle with Cancer" . WHL. August 1, 2008. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2008 .
^ "10 WHL Players Named to Canada's Under-18 Summer Team" . WHL. August 5, 2008. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2008 .
^ "Ten WHL players set to help Canada go for Gold at Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament" . WHL. August 7, 2008. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2008 .
^ "Six WHL Players participate at U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp" . WHL. August 7, 2008. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2008 .
^ "Canada wins Gold medal at Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament with 6-3 win over Russia" . WHL. August 16, 2008. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2008 .
^ CBC Sports (October 15, 2008). "Brandon wins bid to host 2010 Memorial Cup" . Canadian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved December 5, 2009 .
^ Thom Beuning (January 1, 2009). "In The Corners - ShoWare Opening" . Seattle Thunderbirds. Archived from the original on January 4, 2010. Retrieved February 15, 2009 .
^ "Oshawa Generals to Host 2009 Home Hardware CHL-NHL Top Prospects Game" . CHL. October 2, 2008. Archived from the original on June 2, 2009. Retrieved October 7, 2008 .
^ 2008–09 WHL Regular Season: East Division standings . Retrieved on 2009-02-25.
^ 2008–09 WHL Regular Season: Central Division standings . Retrieved on 2009-02-25.
^ 2008–09 WHL Regular Season: B.C. Division standings . Retrieved on 2009-02-25.
^ 2008–09 WHL Regular Season: U.S. Division standings . Retrieved on 2009-02-25.
^ 2008–09 WHL Regular Season: Eastern Conference standings . Retrieved on 2009-02-25.
^ 2008–09 WHL Regular Season: Western Conference standings . Retrieved on 2009-03-25.
^ 2008–09 WHL Regular season: Scoring leaders Archived February 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved on February 25, 2009.
^ 2008–09 WHL Regular season: Goaltending leaders Archived April 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved on December 22, 2009.
^ Donlevy (2008), 2.
^ "Brett Martyniuk Commits to the Tri-City Americans" . WHL. June 6, 2008. Archived from the original on June 2, 2009. Retrieved October 6, 2008 .
^ "Bretton Stamler commits to the University of New Brunswick" . WHL. June 9, 2008. Archived from the original on June 2, 2009. Retrieved October 6, 2008 .
^ "Red Deer Rebels Make Deal With Seattle" . WHL. June 3, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2008 .
^ "Americans Acquire Prospect Scott Macauley" . WHL. June 12, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2008 .
^ "Kootenay Ice trade Goaltender to Kelowna" . WHL. September 20, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2008 .
^ "Americans Trade Kyle Birch to Warriors" . WHL. September 22, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2008 .
^ "Hurricanes acquire Henke from Oil Kings" . WHL. September 27, 2008. Retrieved September 18, 2010 .
^ "Wheat Kings Acquire Priestner from Blazers" . WHL. September 29, 2008. Retrieved September 18, 2010 .
^ a b "WHL and CHL Announce host centres for the 2008 ADT Canada/Russia Challenge" . WHL. August 18, 2008. Archived from the original on May 24, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2008 .
^ "WHL Announces Honourary Captain for 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge" . ADT Canada Russia Challenge. November 13, 2008. Archived from the original on June 2, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2008 .
^ Jahnke, Karl (April 3, 2008). "Rimouski wins 2009 MasterCard Memorial Cup bid" . QMJHL. Archived from the original on November 15, 2008. Retrieved April 3, 2008 .
External links [ edit ]
Links to related articles
Western Conference Eastern Conference
B.C. Division U.S. Division
Central Division East Division