2007–08 WHL season

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]

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)

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
  • 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

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
East Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA Rank
x Regina Pats72442242942172062
x Brandon Wheat Kings72422433902532096
x Swift Current Broncos72412416892442057
x Moose Jaw Warriors72372168882292148
Saskatoon Blades72293436671822299
Prince Albert Raiders722641325719624810
Central Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA Rank
y Calgary Hitmen72472014992591661
x Lethbridge Hurricanes72452124962451753
x Medicine Hat Tigers72432252932341984
x Kootenay Ice72422253922292145
Edmonton Oil Kings722239475516224111
Red Deer Rebels721847434314525512

Western Conference
B.C. Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA Rank
x Vancouver Giants724915261062501552
x Kelowna Rockets72382626842482155
x Chilliwack Bruins72283545652062417
x Kamloops Blazers72274122581972538
Prince George Cougars72204813441723049
U.S. Division GP W L OTL SOL Pts GF GA Rank
y Tri-City Americans725216221082621761
x Spokane Chiefs725015161072511603
x Seattle Thunderbirds72422352912411794
x Everett Silvertips72393003812051986
Portland Winter Hawks721158212513231810

Scoring leaders

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

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Mark SantorelliChilliwack Bruins72277410140
Colin LongKelowna Rockets72316910041
Colton Yellow HornTri-City Americans6748499763
Tyler EnnisMedicine Hat Tigers7043489142
Steve DaSilvaKootenay Ice6840498947
Mitch FaddenLethbridge Hurricanes7234558972
Jordan KnackstedtMoose Jaw Warriors72315485116
Dan GendurEverett Silvertips6029558468
Bud HollowaySeattle Thunderbirds7043408355
Oscar MollerChilliwack Bruins6339448342

Leading goaltenders

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 SexsmithVancouver Giants6236784311261169.9111.89
Juha MetsolaLethbridge Hurricanes30169320701563.9161.98
Dustin TokarskiSpokane Chiefs452543301003876.9222.05
Martin JonesCalgary Hitmen27152918801541.9112.12
Kevin ArmstrongSpokane Chiefs33184020513662.9152.15

2008 WHL Playoffs

Overview
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

Eastern Conference
Moose Jaw vs. Calgary
DateAwayHome
March 21Moose Jaw 15 Calgary
March 23 Moose Jaw 42 Calgary
March 25Calgary 83 Moose Jaw
March 26Calgary 31 Moose Jaw
March 28Moose Jaw 42 Calgary
March 30Calgary 42 Moose Jaw
Calgary wins 4–2
Swift Current vs. Regina
DateAwayHome
March 21Swift Current 12 Regina
March 22Swift Current 53 Regina
March 25(OT) Regina 43 Swift Current
March 26Regina 45 Swift Current (2OT)
March 28Swift Current 63 Regina
March 29Regina 25 Swift Current
Swift Current wins 4–2
Brandon vs. Lethbridge
DateAwayHome
March 21Brandon 12 Lethbridge
March 22Brandon 34 Lethbridge
March 25Lethbridge 43 Brandon
March 26Lethbridge 15 Brandon
March 28Lethbridge 34 Brandon
March 30Brandon 04 Lethbridge
Lethbridge wins 4–2
Kootenay vs. Medicine Hat
DateAwayHome
March 21Kootenay 52 Medicine Hat
March 22(OT) Kootenay 43 Medicine Hat
March 25Medicine Hat 12 Kootenay
March 26Medicine Hat 53 Kootenay
March 28Kootenay 31 Medicine Hat
Kootenay wins 4–1

Western Conference
Kamloops vs. Tri-City
DateAwayHome
March 21Kamloops 16 Tri-City
March 22Kamloops 14 Tri-City
March 25Tri-City 43 Kamloops
March 26Tri-City 62 Kamloops
Tri-City wins 4–0
Chilliwack vs. Vancouver
DateAwayHome
March 21Chilliwack 12 Vancouver
March 22Chilliwack 23 Vancouver
March 25(3OT) Vancouver 43 Chilliwack
March 26Vancouver 21 Chilliwack
Vancouver wins 4–0
Everett vs. Spokane
DateAwayHome
March 21Everett 25 Spokane
March 22Everett 14 Spokane
March 26Spokane 41 Everett
March 28(OT) Spokane 32 Everett
Spokane wins 4–0
Kelowna vs. Seattle
DateAwayHome
March 21Kelowna 32 Seattle
March 22Kelowna 31 Seattle
March 24(OT) Seattle 32 Kelowna
March 25Seattle 64 Kelowna
March 27Kelowna 26 Seattle
March 29Seattle 34 Kelowna (OT)
April 1Kelowna 24 Seattle
Seattle wins 4–3

Conference semi-finals
Eastern Conference
Swift Current vs. Calgary
DateAwayHome
April 4Calgary 23 Swift Current
April 5Calgary 52 Swift Current
April 8Swift Current 56 Calgary (2OT)
April 9Swift Current 23 Calgary
April 11Swift Current 52 Calgary
April 12Calgary 84 Swift Current
Calgary wins 4–2
Kootenay vs. Lethbridge
DateAwayHome
April 4Kootenay 32 Lethbridge
April 5Kootenay 45 Lethbridge (OT)
April 8Lethbridge 52 Kootenay
April 9(2OT) Lethbridge 21 Kootenay
April 11Kootenay 03 Lethbridge
Lethbridge wins 4–1
Western Conference
Vancouver vs. Spokane
DateAwayHome
April 4Vancouver 41 Spokane
April 6Vancouver 14 Spokane
April 9Spokane 32 Vancouver
April 11Spokane 13 Vancouver
April 12Spokane 40 Vancouver
April 14Vancouver 13 Spokane
Spokane wins 4–2
Seattle vs. Tri-City
DateAwayHome
April 4Seattle 71 Tri-City
April 5Seattle 04 Tri-City
April 8Tri-City 32 Seattle
April 9(OT) Tri-City 32 Seattle
April 11Seattle 04 Tri-City
Tri-City wins 4–1

Conference finals
Eastern ConferenceWestern Conference
Lethbridge vs. Calgary
DateAwayHome
April 17Lethbridge 52 Calgary
April 18(OT) Lethbridge 43 Calgary
April 22Calgary 06 Lethbridge
April 23Calgary 24 Lethbridge
Lethbridge wins 4–0
Spokane vs. Tri-City
DateAwayHome
April 18(2OT) Spokane 10 Tri-City
April 20Spokane 01 Tri-City (2OT)
April 21Tri-City 02 Spokane
April 22(OT) Tri-City 32 Spokane
April 26(2OT) Spokane 43 Tri-City
April 28(OT) Tri-City 21 Spokane
April 29Spokane 41 Tri-City
Spokane wins 4–3

WHL Championship
Lethbridge vs. Spokane
DateAwayHome
May 2Lethbridge 14 Spokane
May 3Lethbridge 25 Spokane
May 6(OT) Spokane 21 Lethbridge
May 7Spokane 41 Lethbridge
Spokane wins 4-0

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
Player of the YearFour Broncos Memorial TrophyKarl AlznerCalgary Hitmen
Scholastic Player of the YearDaryl K. (Doc) Seaman TrophyJordan EberleRegina Pats
Scholastic team of the YearJim Donlevy Memorial TrophyChilliwack Bruins
Top ScorerBob Clarke TrophyMark SantorelliChilliwack Bruins
Most Sportsmanlike PlayerBrad Hornung TrophyTyler EnnisMedicine Hat Tigers
Top DefensemanBill Hunter TrophyKarl AlznerCalgary Hitmen
Rookie of the YearJim Piggott Memorial TrophyBrayden SchennBrandon Wheat Kings
Top GoaltenderDel Wilson TrophyChet PickardTri-City Americans
Coach of the YearDunc McCallum Memorial TrophyDon NachbaurTri-City Americans
Executive of the YearLloyd Saunders Memorial TrophyBob ToryTri-City Americans
Regular season championsScotty Munro Memorial TrophyTri-City Americans
Top OfficialAllen Paradice Memorial TrophyAndy Thiessen
Marketing/Public Relations AwardSt. Clair Group TrophyKip ReghenasCalgary Hitmen
Humanitarian of the YearDoug Wickenheiser Memorial TrophyAshton HewsonPrince Albert Raiders
WHL Plus-Minus AwardGreg ScottSeattle Thunderbirds
WHL Finals Most Valuable PlayerAirBC TrophyTyler JohnsonSpokane Chiefs
Alumni Achievement Awards Professional Hockey Achievement
Academic Recipient		 Lanny McDonald
Blair St. Martin

All-Star Teams
Eastern Conference
First TeamSecond Team
GoalLinden RowatRegina PatsDan SpenceCalgary Hitmen
DefenseKarl AlznerCalgary HitmenTy WishartMoose Jaw Warriors
Logan PyettRegina PatsDaryl BoyleBrandon Wheat Kings
ForwardSteve DaSilvaKootenay IceMitch FaddenLethbridge Hurricanes
Tyler EnnisMedicine Hat TigersZach BoychukLethbridge Hurricanes
Jordan EberleRegina PatsRyan WhiteCalgary Hitmen
Western Conference
First TeamSecond Team
GoalChet PickardTri-City AmericansTyson SexsmithVancouver Giants
DefenseT.J. FastTri-City AmericansJonathon BlumVancouver Giants
Thomas HickeySeattle ThunderbirdsLuke SchennKelowna Rockets
ForwardColton Yellow HornTri-City AmericansDan GendurEverett Silvertips
Colin LongKelowna RocketsMark SantorelliChilliwack Bruins
Oscar MollerChilliwack BruinsDrayson BowmanSpokane Chiefs
  • source: Western Hockey League press release

2008 Bantam Draft

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

See also
  • 2008 Memorial Cup
  • 2007–08 OHL season
  • 2007–08 QMJHL season
  • 2008 NHL Entry Draft
  • 2007 in ice hockey
  • 2008 in ice hockey

References
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