2007–08 WHL season

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2007–08 WHL season
LeagueWestern Hockey League
SportHockey
DurationPreseason
August 29, 2007 – September 15, 2007
Regular season
September 20, 2007 – March 16, 2008
Playoffs
March 21, 2008 – May 7, 2008
Number of teams22
TV partner(s)Shaw TV
Finals championsSpokane Chiefs (2)
WHL seasons

The 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League (WHL).[1] The regular season began on September 20, 2007,[2] and ended on March 16, 2008.[3] The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008,[4] and ended on May 7, 2008.[5]

A new expansion team, the Edmonton Oil Kings, joined the league bringing the WHL to 22 teams that played a 72-game season. The Spokane Chiefs won the Ed Chynoweth Cup, defeating the Lethbridge Hurricanes in four games. Spokane would go on to capture the Memorial Cup.

League notes[edit]

  • The Oil Kings joined the Central Division of the Eastern Conference, bringing the Eastern Conference to twelve teams, while the Western Conference remained at ten. The new team in Alberta's capital is the fourth WHL team to represent the city of Edmonton, preceded by the original Oil Kings franchises that played in the 1960s and 1970s, and later the Edmonton Ice, who played two seasons from 1996 to 1998 before relocating to the Kootenays.
  • The playoff format was revised so that the top eight teams in the conference qualify for the playoffs, as opposed to the top four in each division. Division winners are guaranteed a top two seed in each conference.

Final standings[edit]

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = Overtime losses; SOL = Shootout losses; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points; x = Clinched playoff berth; y = Clinched conference title

Eastern Conference[edit]

East Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA Rank
x Regina Pats 72 44 22 4 2 94 217 206 2
x Brandon Wheat Kings 72 42 24 3 3 90 253 209 6
x Swift Current Broncos 72 41 24 1 6 89 244 205 7
x Moose Jaw Warriors 72 37 21 6 8 88 229 214 8
Saskatoon Blades 72 29 34 3 6 67 182 229 9
Prince Albert Raiders 72 26 41 3 2 57 196 248 10
Central Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA Rank
y Calgary Hitmen 72 47 20 1 4 99 259 166 1
x Lethbridge Hurricanes 72 45 21 2 4 96 245 175 3
x Medicine Hat Tigers 72 43 22 5 2 93 234 198 4
x Kootenay Ice 72 42 22 5 3 92 229 214 5
Edmonton Oil Kings 72 22 39 4 7 55 162 241 11
Red Deer Rebels 72 18 47 4 3 43 145 255 12

Western Conference[edit]

B.C. Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA Rank
x Vancouver Giants 72 49 15 2 6 106 250 155 2
x Kelowna Rockets 72 38 26 2 6 84 248 215 5
x Chilliwack Bruins 72 28 35 4 5 65 206 241 7
x Kamloops Blazers 72 27 41 2 2 58 197 253 8
Prince George Cougars 72 20 48 1 3 44 172 304 9
U.S. Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA Rank
y Tri-City Americans 72 52 16 2 2 108 262 176 1
x Spokane Chiefs 72 50 15 1 6 107 251 160 3
x Seattle Thunderbirds 72 42 23 5 2 91 241 179 4
x Everett Silvertips 72 39 30 0 3 81 205 198 6
Portland Winter Hawks 72 11 58 2 1 25 132 318 10

Scoring leaders[edit]

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

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Mark Santorelli Chilliwack Bruins 72 27 74 101 40
Colin Long Kelowna Rockets 72 31 69 100 41
Colton Yellow Horn Tri-City Americans 67 48 49 97 63
Tyler Ennis Medicine Hat Tigers 70 43 48 91 42
Steve DaSilva Kootenay Ice 68 40 49 89 47
Mitch Fadden Lethbridge Hurricanes 72 34 55 89 72
Jordan Knackstedt Moose Jaw Warriors 72 31 54 85 116
Dan Gendur Everett Silvertips 60 29 55 84 68
Bud Holloway Seattle Thunderbirds 70 43 40 83 55
Oscar Moller Chilliwack Bruins 63 39 44 83 42

Leading goaltenders[edit]

Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; SOL = Shootout losses ; GA = Goals against; SO = Total shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Player Team GP Min W L OTL SL GA SO SV% GAA
Tyson Sexsmith Vancouver Giants 62 3678 43 11 2 6 116 9 .911 1.89
Juha Metsola Lethbridge Hurricanes 30 1693 20 7 0 1 56 3 .916 1.98
Dustin Tokarski Spokane Chiefs 45 2543 30 10 0 3 87 6 .922 2.05
Martin Jones Calgary Hitmen 27 1529 18 8 0 1 54 1 .911 2.12
Kevin Armstrong Spokane Chiefs 33 1840 20 5 1 3 66 2 .915 2.15

2008 WHL Playoffs[edit]

Overview[edit]

Conference Quarter-finals Conference Semi-finals Conference Finals WHL Championship
            
1 Calgary 4
8 Moose Jaw 2
1 Calgary 4
7 Swift Current 2
2 Regina 2
7 Swift Current 4
1 Calgary 0
Eastern
3 Lethbridge 4
3 Lethbridge 4
6 Brandon 2
3 Lethbridge 4
5 Kootenay 1
4 Medicine Hat 1
5 Kootenay 4
E3 Lethbridge 0
W3 Spokane 4
1 Tri-City 4
8 Kamloops 0
1 Tri-City 4
4 Seattle 1
4 Seattle 4
5 Kelowna 3
1 Tri-City 3
Western
3 Spokane 4
2 Vancouver 4
7 Chilliwack 0
2 Vancouver 2
3 Spokane 4
3 Spokane 4
6 Everett 0

Conference quarter-finals[edit]

Eastern Conference[edit]

Moose Jaw vs. Calgary
Date Away Home
March 21 Moose Jaw 1 5 Calgary
March 23 Moose Jaw 4 2 Calgary
March 25 Calgary 8 3 Moose Jaw
March 26 Calgary 3 1 Moose Jaw
March 28 Moose Jaw 4 2 Calgary
March 30 Calgary 4 2 Moose Jaw
Calgary wins 4–2
Swift Current vs. Regina
Date Away Home
March 21 Swift Current 1 2 Regina
March 22 Swift Current 5 3 Regina
March 25 (OT) Regina 4 3 Swift Current
March 26 Regina 4 5 Swift Current (2OT)
March 28 Swift Current 6 3 Regina
March 29 Regina 2 5 Swift Current
Swift Current wins 4–2
Brandon vs. Lethbridge
Date Away Home
March 21 Brandon 1 2 Lethbridge
March 22 Brandon 3 4 Lethbridge
March 25 Lethbridge 4 3 Brandon
March 26 Lethbridge 1 5 Brandon
March 28 Lethbridge 3 4 Brandon
March 30 Brandon 0 4 Lethbridge
Lethbridge wins 4–2
Kootenay vs. Medicine Hat
Date Away Home
March 21 Kootenay 5 2 Medicine Hat
March 22 (OT) Kootenay 4 3 Medicine Hat
March 25 Medicine Hat 1 2 Kootenay
March 26 Medicine Hat 5 3 Kootenay
March 28 Kootenay 3 1 Medicine Hat
Kootenay wins 4–1

Western Conference[edit]

Kamloops vs. Tri-City
Date Away Home
March 21 Kamloops 1 6 Tri-City
March 22 Kamloops 1 4 Tri-City
March 25 Tri-City 4 3 Kamloops
March 26 Tri-City 6 2 Kamloops
Tri-City wins 4–0
Chilliwack vs. Vancouver
Date Away Home
March 21 Chilliwack 1 2 Vancouver
March 22 Chilliwack 2 3 Vancouver
March 25 (3OT) Vancouver 4 3 Chilliwack
March 26 Vancouver 2 1 Chilliwack
Vancouver wins 4–0
Everett vs. Spokane
Date Away Home
March 21 Everett 2 5 Spokane
March 22 Everett 1 4 Spokane
March 26 Spokane 4 1 Everett
March 28 (OT) Spokane 3 2 Everett
Spokane wins 4–0
Kelowna vs. Seattle
Date Away Home
March 21 Kelowna 3 2 Seattle
March 22 Kelowna 3 1 Seattle
March 24 (OT) Seattle 3 2 Kelowna
March 25 Seattle 6 4 Kelowna
March 27 Kelowna 2 6 Seattle
March 29 Seattle 3 4 Kelowna (OT)
April 1 Kelowna 2 4 Seattle
Seattle wins 4–3

Conference semi-finals[edit]

Eastern Conference
Swift Current vs. Calgary
Date Away Home
April 4 Calgary 2 3 Swift Current
April 5 Calgary 5 2 Swift Current
April 8 Swift Current 5 6 Calgary (2OT)
April 9 Swift Current 2 3 Calgary
April 11 Swift Current 5 2 Calgary
April 12 Calgary 8 4 Swift Current
Calgary wins 4–2
Kootenay vs. Lethbridge
Date Away Home
April 4 Kootenay 3 2 Lethbridge
April 5 Kootenay 4 5 Lethbridge (OT)
April 8 Lethbridge 5 2 Kootenay
April 9 (2OT) Lethbridge 2 1 Kootenay
April 11 Kootenay 0 3 Lethbridge
Lethbridge wins 4–1
Western Conference
Vancouver vs. Spokane
Date Away Home
April 4 Vancouver 4 1 Spokane
April 6 Vancouver 1 4 Spokane
April 9 Spokane 3 2 Vancouver
April 11 Spokane 1 3 Vancouver
April 12 Spokane 4 0 Vancouver
April 14 Vancouver 1 3 Spokane
Spokane wins 4–2
Seattle vs. Tri-City
Date Away Home
April 4 Seattle 7 1 Tri-City
April 5 Seattle 0 4 Tri-City
April 8 Tri-City 3 2 Seattle
April 9 (OT) Tri-City 3 2 Seattle
April 11 Seattle 0 4 Tri-City
Tri-City wins 4–1

Conference finals[edit]

Eastern Conference Western Conference
Lethbridge vs. Calgary
Date Away Home
April 17 Lethbridge 5 2 Calgary
April 18 (OT) Lethbridge 4 3 Calgary
April 22 Calgary 0 6 Lethbridge
April 23 Calgary 2 4 Lethbridge
Lethbridge wins 4–0
Spokane vs. Tri-City
Date Away Home
April 18 (2OT) Spokane 1 0 Tri-City
April 20 Spokane 0 1 Tri-City (2OT)
April 21 Tri-City 0 2 Spokane
April 22 (OT) Tri-City 3 2 Spokane
April 26 (2OT) Spokane 4 3 Tri-City
April 28 (OT) Tri-City 2 1 Spokane
April 29 Spokane 4 1 Tri-City
Spokane wins 4–3

WHL Championship[edit]

Lethbridge vs. Spokane
Date Away Home
May 2 Lethbridge 1 4 Spokane
May 3 Lethbridge 2 5 Spokane
May 6 (OT) Spokane 2 1 Lethbridge
May 7 Spokane 4 1 Lethbridge
Spokane wins 4-0

Memorial Cup[edit]

Main article: 2008 Memorial Cup

The 90th MasterCard Memorial Cup was held in Kitchener, Ontario.[6] It began on May 16, and concluded on May 25, 2008.

WHL awards[edit]

Player of the Year Four Broncos Memorial Trophy Karl Alzner Calgary Hitmen
Scholastic Player of the Year Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy Jordan Eberle Regina Pats
Top Scorer Bob Clarke Trophy Mark Santorelli Chilliwack Bruins
Most Sportsmanlike Player Brad Hornung Trophy Tyler Ennis Medicine Hat Tigers
Top Defenseman Bill Hunter Trophy Karl Alzner Calgary Hitmen
Rookie of the Year Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy Brayden Schenn Brandon Wheat Kings
Top Goaltender Del Wilson Trophy Chet Pickard Tri-City Americans
Coach of the Year Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy Don Nachbaur Tri-City Americans
Executive of the Year Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy Bob Tory Tri-City Americans
Regular season champions Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy Tri-City Americans
Top Official Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy Andy Thiessen
Marketing/Public Relations Award St. Clair Group Trophy Kip Reghenas Calgary Hitmen
Humanitarian of the Year Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy Ashton Hewson Prince Albert Raiders
WHL Plus-Minus Award Greg Scott Seattle Thunderbirds
WHL Finals Most Valuable Player AirBC Trophy Tyler Johnson Spokane Chiefs
Alumni Achievement Awards Professional Hockey Achievement
Academic Recipient 		Lanny McDonald
Blair St. Martin

All-Star Teams[edit]

Eastern Conference
First Team Second Team
Goal Linden Rowat Regina Pats Dan Spence Calgary Hitmen
Defense Karl Alzner Calgary Hitmen Ty Wishart Moose Jaw Warriors
Logan Pyett Regina Pats Daryl Boyle Brandon Wheat Kings
Forward Steve DaSilva Kootenay Ice Mitch Fadden Lethbridge Hurricanes
Tyler Ennis Medicine Hat Tigers Zach Boychuk Lethbridge Hurricanes
Jordan Eberle Regina Pats Ryan White Calgary Hitmen
Western Conference
First Team Second Team
Goal Chet Pickard Tri-City Americans Tyson Sexsmith Vancouver Giants
Defense T.J. Fast Tri-City Americans Jonathon Blum Vancouver Giants
Thomas Hickey Seattle Thunderbirds Luke Schenn Kelowna Rockets
Forward Colton Yellow Horn Tri-City Americans Dan Gendur Everett Silvertips
Colin Long Kelowna Rockets Mark Santorelli Chilliwack Bruins
Oscar Moller Chilliwack Bruins Drayson Bowman Spokane Chiefs
  • source: Western Hockey League press release

2008 Bantam Draft[edit]

First round[7]

# Player Nationality WHL Team
1 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (C)  Canada Red Deer Rebels
2 Ty Rattie (LW)  Canada Portland Winter Hawks
3 Duncan Siemens (D)  Canada Saskatoon Blades (from Prince George)
4 Michael St. Croix (C)  Canada Edmonton Oil Kings
5 Mark McNeill (C)  Canada Prince Albert Raiders
6 Brent Benson (C)  Canada Saskatoon Blades
7 Colin Smith (C)  Canada Kamloops Blazers
8 Mitch Topping (D)  Canada Chilliwack Bruins
9 Ryan Murray (D)  Canada Everett Silvertips
10 Klarc Wilson (RW)  Canada Brandon Wheat Kings
11 Jesse Forsberg (D)  Canada Moose Jaw Warriors (from Prince George)
12 Reece Scarlett (D)  Canada Swift Current Broncos
13 Shane McColgan (C)  United States Kelowna Rockets
14 Connor Sanvido (C)  Canada Seattle Thunderbirds
15 Brendan Hurley (LW)  Canada Kootenay Ice
16 Dylan Busenius (D)  Canada Medicine Hat Tigers
17 Myles Bell (D)  Canada Regina Pats
18 Phil Tot (C)  Canada Lethbridge Hurricanes
19 Peter Kosterman (D)  Canada Calgary Hitmen
20 Zach Hodder (D)  Canada Vancouver Giants
21 Mitch Holmberg (RW)  Canada Spokane Chiefs
22 Zac Yuen (D)  Canada Tri-City Americans

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ "Edmonton Expansion Franchise Opens 2007-08 WHL Season". WHL. September 20, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2008.[dead link]
  2. ^ "WHL and SHAW Announce 2007-08 Schedule". WHL. September 20, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2008.[dead link]
  3. ^ "HAWKS END SEASON ON WINNING NOTE". WHL. March 17, 2008. Retrieved October 28, 2008.[dead link]
  4. ^ "WHL Announces 2008 Playoffs Opening-Round Schedule". WHL. March 18, 2008. Retrieved October 28, 2008.[dead link]
  5. ^ "SPOKANE CHIEFS CAPTURE ED CHYNOWETH CUP". WHL. March 18, 2008. Retrieved October 28, 2008.[dead link]
  6. ^ "Kitchener Rangers to Host 2008 MasterCard Memorial Cup". Ontario Hockey League (OHL). May 9, 2007. Retrieved October 28, 2008.[dead link]
  7. ^ "2008 WHL Bantam Draft: Round 1". WHL. Archived from the original on February 25, 2008. Retrieved November 11, 2008.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

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