2008–09 WHL season

2008–09 WHL season
League	Western Hockey League
Sport	Ice hockey
Duration	Regular season September 18, 2008 – March 17, 2009 Playoffs March 20 – May 9, 2009
Number of teams	22
TV partner(s)	Shaw TV
Regular season
Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy	Calgary Hitmen (3)
Season MVP	Brett Sonne (Calgary Hitmen)
Top scorer	Casey Pierro-Zabotel (Vancouver Giants)
Playoffs
Playoffs MVP	Tyler Myers (Rockets)
Finals champions	Kelowna Rockets (3)
Runners-up	Calgary Hitmen

2008–09 CHL season
League	Canadian Hockey League
Sport	Ice hockey
Duration	OHL 2008-09-17 – 2009-03-15 QMJHL 2008-09-11 – 2009-03-15 WHL 2008-09-18 – 2009-03-15
Number of teams	60
TV partner(s)	RDS, Rogers Sportsnet, Rogers TV, Shaw TV
Memorial Cup
Finals champions	Windsor Spitfires (OHL) (1st title)
Runners-up	Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

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.

2008–09: Ed Chynoweth's season

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

WHL Commissioner Ron Robison dedicated the 2008–09 season to long-time league president Ed Chynoweth, who died on April 22, 2008. His death occurred just over a year after the WHL Championship trophy was renamed in his honour. Throughout the 2008–09 season, the helmets of all the players and officials displayed a commemorative decal.

League notes

Off-season

• June 17, 2008 — Ed Chynoweth was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
• June 20–21, 2008 — 37 WHL players were selected in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
• June 24, 2008 — 16 WHL players were invited to the National Men's Under-18 Selection Camp.
• June 25, 2008 — 17 WHL players were invited to the Hockey Canada's National Junior Team Development Camp.
• June 26, 2008 — The WHL entered into a partnership with Hockey Manitoba, providing additional financial support for their hockey system.
• July 7, 2008 — Saskatoon and Regina were chosen as hosts to the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• July 23, 2008 — 18 WHL players attended Canada's National Junior Team Development Camp in Ottawa, Ontario.
• July 30, 2008 — Brandon Wheat Kings athletic trainer Rob "Stofe" Stouffer died of liver cancer.
• August 5, 2008 — 10 WHL players were named to Canada's Under-18 Summer Team at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.
• August 7, 2008 — 6 WHL players were invited to the 2008 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, New York.
• 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.

Regular season

• September 18, 2008 — A tribute involving members of the Chynoweth family took place prior to the season opener between the Spokane Chiefs and Kootenay Ice.
• October 15, 2008 — The 2010 Memorial Cup was awarded to Brandon.
• January 3, 2009 — The Seattle Thunderbirds moved into their new arena, Showare Center, in Kent, Washington.
• January 14, 2009 — The 2009 CHL Top Prospects Game was held in Oshawa, Ontario.

Regular season

Calgary Hitmen forwards Carson McMillan and Kyle Bortis accept the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as the 2008–09 regular season champions.

Standings

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

East Division	GP	W	L	OTL	SL	GF	GA	Pts.
Saskatoon Blades	72	49	18	3	2	283	195	103
Brandon Wheat Kings	72	48	19	3	2	295	220	101
Swift Current Broncos	72	42	28	1	1	258	220	86
Prince Albert Raiders	72	31	36	4	1	233	270	67
Regina Pats	72	27	39	1	5	228	265	60
Moose Jaw Warriors	72	19	50	1	2	198	352	41

Central Division	GP	W	L	OTL	SL	GF	GA	Pts.
Calgary Hitmen	72	59	9	3	1	330	159	122
Medicine Hat Tigers	72	36	29	4	3	249	242	79
Kootenay Ice	72	35	29	2	6	220	224	78
Lethbridge Hurricanes	72	35	32	3	2	227	228	75
Edmonton Oil Kings	72	29	34	4	5	191	252	67
Red Deer Rebels	72	25	37	1	9	172	250	60

B.C. Division	GP	W	L	OTL	SL	GF	GA	Pts.
Vancouver Giants	72	57	10	2	3	319	151	119
Kelowna Rockets	72	47	21	1	3	267	178	98
Kamloops Blazers	72	33	33	2	4	242	277	72
Prince George Cougars	72	25	44	0	3	188	298	53
Chilliwack Bruins	72	19	46	2	5	154	267	45

U.S. Division	GP	W	L	OTL	SL	GF	GA	Pts.
Tri-City Americans	72	49	20	0	3	263	184	101
Spokane Chiefs	72	46	23	0	3	244	145	95
Seattle Thunderbirds	72	35	32	1	4	222	234	75
Everett Silvertips	72	27	36	7	2	199	259	63
Portland Winter Hawks	72	19	48	3	2	176	288	43

Conference standings

Eastern Conference	GP	W	L	OTL	SL	GF	GA	Pts.
z Calgary Hitmen	72	59	9	3	1	330	159	122
x Saskatoon Blades	72	49	18	3	2	283	195	103
x Brandon Wheat Kings	72	48	19	3	2	295	220	101
x Swift Current Broncos	72	42	28	1	1	258	220	86
x Medicine Hat Tigers	72	36	29	4	3	249	242	79
x Kootenay Ice	72	35	29	2	6	220	224	78
x Lethbridge Hurricanes	72	35	32	3	2	227	228	75
x Edmonton Oil Kings	72	29	34	4	5	191	252	67
Prince Albert Raiders	72	31	36	4	1	233	270	67
Regina Pats	72	27	39	1	5	228	265	60
Red Deer Rebels	72	25	37	1	9	172	250	60
Moose Jaw Warriors	72	19	50	1	2	198	352	41

x - clinched playoff spot, z - clinched best conference record

Western Conference	GP	W	L	OTL	SL	GF	GA	Pts.
x Vancouver Giants	72	57	10	2	3	319	151	119
x Tri-City Americans	72	49	20	0	3	263	184	101
x Kelowna Rockets	72	47	21	1	3	267	178	98
x Spokane Chiefs	72	46	23	0	3	244	145	95
x Seattle Thunderbirds	72	35	32	1	4	222	234	75
x Kamloops Blazers	72	33	33	2	4	242	277	72
x Everett Silvertips	72	27	36	7	2	199	259	63
x Prince George Cougars	72	25	44	0	3	188	298	53
Chilliwack Bruins	72	19	46	2	5	154	267	45
Portland Winter Hawks	72	19	48	3	2	176	288	43

x - clinched playoff spot, z - clinched best conference record

Map of WHL, 2007–08 to 2010–11

200km
125miles

Wheat Kings

Pats

Warriors

Raiders

Blades

Broncos

Tigers

Hurricanes

Oil Kings

Rebels

Hitmen

Ice

Chiefs

Americans

Rockets

Blazers

Bruins

Silvertips

Thunderbirds

Winterhawks

Cougars

Giants

  

   East Division

   Central Division

   BC Division

   US Division

Eastern Conference Tiebreaker

Prince Albert Raiders vs. Edmonton Oil Kings

March 22	Prince Albert Raiders		1 – 2	OT	Edmonton Oil Kings
No scoring		First period			9:24 - pp - Brent Raedeke (1)
Bryce Lamb (1) - 10:46		Second period			No scoring
No scoring		Third period			No scoring
No scoring		First overtime period			10:46 - Rhett Rachinski (1)
Garrett Zemlak (40 saves / 42 shots)		Goalie stats			Torrie Jung (35 saves / 36 shots)

Edmonton claims final playoff spot

Scoring leaders

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

Player	Team	GP	G	A	Pts.	PIM
Casey Pierro-Zabotel	Vancouver Giants	72	36	79	115	52
Brandon Kozun	Calgary Hitmen	72	40	68	108	58
Brett Sonne	Calgary Hitmen	62	48	52	100	58
Evander Kane	Vancouver Giants	61	48	48	96	89
Justin Bernhardt	Prince Albert Raiders	72	35	57	92	104
Colin Long	Kelowna Rockets	68	33	58	91	28
Brayden Schenn	Brandon Wheat Kings	70	32	56	88	82
Joel Broda	Calgary Hitmen	67	53	34	87	64
C. J. Stretch	Kamloops Blazers	72	29	57	86	72
Tyler Ennis	Medicine Hat Tigers	61	43	42	85	21

Goaltending leaders

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

Player	Team	GP	Mins	W	L	OTL	SOL	SO	GAA	Sv%
Dustin Tokarski	Spokane Chiefs	54	3264	34	18	0	2	7	1.97	.937
Adam Brown	Kelowna Rockets	29	1514	18	5	0	1	2	2.02	.912
Martin Jones	Calgary Hitmen	55	3295	45	5	3	1	7	2.08	.915
Tyson Sexsmith	Vancouver Giants	52	3109	39	9	2	2	6	2.26	.898
Chet Pickard	Tri-City Americans	50	2947	35	12	0	3	6	2.28	.921
Mark Guggenberger	Kelowna Rockets	49	2717	29	14	1	2	3	2.41	.915
Torrie Jung	Edmonton Oil Kings	48	2809	20	20	3	5	3	2.56	.912
Braden Holtby	Saskatoon Blades	61	3571	40	16	2	2	6	2.62	.910
Juha Metsola	Lethbridge Hurricanes	53	3086	25	21	3	2	5	2.80	.907
Andrew Hayes	Brandon Wheat Kings	46	2638	30	11	2	1	3	2.84	.901

Players

2008 NHL Entry Draft

37 WHL players were selected at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. This was more than any other hockey league in the world.

2008 NHL Entry Draft (WHL draftees)

1st round # Nat. Player Age WHL team NHL team 5 Luke Schenn 18 Kelowna Rockets Toronto Maple Leafs 11 Kyle Beach 18 Everett Silvertips Chicago Blackhawks 12 Tyler Myers 18 Kelowna Rockets Buffalo Sabres 13 Colten Teubert 18 Regina Pats Los Angeles Kings 14 Zach Boychuk 18 Lethbridge Hurricanes Carolina Hurricanes 18 Chet Pickard 18 Tri-City Americans Nashville Predators 19 Luca Sbisa 18 Lethbridge Hurricanes Philadelphia Flyers 22 Jordan Eberle 18 Regina Pats Edmonton Oilers 26 Tyler Ennis 18 Medicine Hat Tigers Buffalo Sabres 2nd round # Nat. Player Age WHL team NHL team 46 Colby Robak 18 Brandon Wheat Kings Florida Panthers 48 Mitch Wahl 18 Spokane Chiefs Calgary Flames 53 Travis Hamonic 18 Moose Jaw Warriors New York Islanders 57 Eric Mestery 18 Tri-City Americans Washington Capitals 3rd round # Nat. Player Age WHL team NHL team 69 Michael Stone 18 Calgary Hitmen Phoenix Coyotes 72 Jyri Niemi 18 Saskatoon Blades New York Islanders 78 Lance Bouma 18 Vancouver Giants Calgary Flames 79 Zack Smith 20 Swift Current Broncos Ottawa Senators 84 Jacob DeSerres 18 Seattle Thunderbirds Philadelphia Flyers 85 Brandon McMillan 18 Kelowna Rockets Anaheim Ducks 87 Ian Schultz 18 Calgary Hitmen St. Louis Blues 88 Geordie Wudrick 18 Swift Current Broncos Los Angeles Kings 4th round # Nat. Player Age WHL team NHL team 93 Braden Holtby 18 Saskatoon Blades Washington Capitals 99 Colin Long 18 Kelowna Rockets Phoenix Coyotes 111 Dale Weise 18 Swift Current Broncos New York Rangers 112 Matt Delahey 18 Regina Pats New Jersey Devils 117 James Wright 18 Vancouver Giants Tampa Bay Lightning 5th round # Nat. Player Age WHL team NHL team 122 Dustin Tokarski 18 Spokane Chiefs Tampa Bay Lightning 127 Matt Calvert 18 Brandon Wheat Kings Columbus Blue Jackets 131 Prab Rai 18 Seattle Thunderbirds Vancouver Canucks 132 Teigan Zahn 18 Saskatoon Blades Chicago Blackhawks 137 Brent Regner 18 Vancouver Giants Columbus Blue Jackets 144 Joel Broda 18 Moose Jaw Warriors Washington Capitals 6th round # Nat. Player Age WHL team NHL team 156 Jared Spurgeon 18 Spokane Chiefs New York Islanders 168 Ryley Grantham 18 Moose Jaw Warriors Calgary Flames 176 Matt Tassone 18 Swift Current Broncos Dallas Stars 7th round # Nat. Player Age WHL team NHL team 191 Morgan Clark 18 Red Deer Rebels Vancouver Canucks 193 Jordan Bendfeld 18 Medicine Hat Tigers Edmonton Oilers

Contracts and scholarships

• June 6, 2008 — Brett Martyniuk signs a WHL Players Contract with the Tri-City Americans.
• June 9, 2008 — Bretton Stamler agrees to play for the UNB Varsity Reds hockey club.

Trades

Date	Deal made
June 3, 2008	Red Deer Rebels	Seattle Thunderbirds
	Mike Krgovich → 5th round pick →	← Steve Oursov
	RD trades Krgovich and conditional 5th round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft – SEA trades Oursov.
June 12, 2008	Tri-City Americans	Swift Current Broncos
	5th round pick →	← Scott Macauley
	TC trades conditional 5th round pick in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft – SC trades Macauley.
September 20, 2008	Kootenay Ice	Kelowna Rockets
	Kris Lazaruk →	← 4th round pick
	KTN trades Lazaruk – KEL trades conditional 4th round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.
September 22, 2008	Tri-City Americans	Moose Jaw Warriors
	Kyle Birch →	← 5th round pick
	TC trades Birch – MJ trades conditional 5th round pick in the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft.
September 27, 2008	Lethbridge Hurricanes	Edmonton Oil Kings
	7th round pick →	← Brent Henke
	LET trades 7th round pick in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft – EDM trades Henke.
September 29, 2008	Brandon Wheat Kings	Kamloops Blazers
	3rd round pick →	← James Priestner
	BDN trades 3rd round pick in the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft – KAM trades Priestner.

Canada-Russia Challenge

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

The 2008 series was held in six cities across Canada. The series begun on November 17, 2008, and concluded on November 27, 2008. 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.

Results

#	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

Overview

	Conference Quarter-finals					Conference Semi-finals					Conference Finals					WHL Championship
	1	Calgary	4
	8	Edmonton	0
						1	Calgary	4
						7	Lethbridge	0
	2	Saskatoon	3
	7	Lethbridge	4
											1	Calgary	4
	Eastern
											3	Brandon	0
	3	Brandon	4
	6	Kootenay	0
						3	Brandon	4
						5	Medicine Hat	0
	4	Swift Current	3
	5	Medicine Hat	4
																E1	Calgary	2
																W3	Kelowna	4
	1	Vancouver	4
	8	Prince George	0
						1	Vancouver	4
						4	Spokane	3
	4	Spokane	4
	5	Seattle	1
											1	Vancouver	2
	Western
											3	Kelowna	4
	2	Tri-City	4
	7	Everett	1
						2	Tri-City	2
						3	Kelowna	4
	3	Kelowna	4
	6	Kamloops	0

Conference Quarter-finals

(1) Calgary Hitmen vs. (8) Edmonton Oil Kings

March 19	Calgary Hitmen		5 – 0		Edmonton Oil Kings	Scotiabank Saddledome
16:35 - pp - Ian Schultz (1)		First period			No scoring
8:19 - Kris Foucault (1) 11:41 - Joel Broda (1) 13:43 - Brandon Kozun (1)		Second period			No scoring
15:43 - pp - Joel Broda (2)		Third period			No scoring
Martin Jones (21 saves / 21 shots)		Goalie stats			Torrie Jung (32 saves / 37 shots)

March 22	Calgary Hitmen		2 – 1	OT	Edmonton Oil Kings	Scotiabank Saddledome
No scoring		First period			No scoring
No scoring		Second period			Shayne Neigum (1) - pp - 7:07
15:42 - Kris Foucault (2)		Third period			No scoring
8:04 - Carson McMillan (1)		First overtime period			No scoring
Martin Jones (24 saves / 25 shots)		Goalie stats			Torrie Jung (54 saves / 56 shots)

March 23	Edmonton Oil Kings		1 – 4		Calgary Hitmen	Rexall Place
No scoring		First period			Alex Plante (1) - 19:59
No scoring		Second period			Joel Broda (3) - 12:44 Brandon Kozun (2) - 16:03
5:33 - pp - Robin Soudek (1)		Third period			Ian Schultz (2) - 15:11
Torrie Jung (41 saves / 45 shots)		Goalie stats			Martin Jones (20 saves / 21 shots)

March 25	Edmonton Oil Kings		1 – 4		Calgary Hitmen	Rexall Place
11:14 - pp - Brent Raedeke (1)		First period			No scoring
No scoring		Second period			Kris Foucault (3) - 1:47 Kris Foucault (4) - 18:22
No scoring		Third period			Kyle Bortis (1) - 7:06 Brandon Kozun (3) - 7:39
Torrie Jung (39 saves / 43 shots)		Goalie stats			Martin Jones (19 saves / 20 shots)

Calgary wins series 4 – 0

(2) Saskatoon Blades vs. (7) Lethbridge Hurricanes

March 20	Saskatoon Blades		5 – 1		Lethbridge Hurricanes	Credit Union Centre
8:02 - Walker Wintoneak (1) 12:15 - Jyri Niemi (1) 18:56 - pp - Curtis Hamilton (1)		First period			Cam Braes (1) - 2:10
No scoring		Second period			No scoring
7:17 - pp - Stefan Elliott (1) 14:27 - Chris Langkow (1)		Third period			No scoring
Braden Holtby (22 saves / 23 shots)		Goalie stats			Brandon Anderson (21 saves / 26 shots)

March 21	Saskatoon Blades		2 – 5		Lethbridge Hurricanes	Credit Union Centre
No scoring		First period			Zach Boychuk (1) - 2:58 Zach Boychuk (2) - 17:34
No scoring		Second period			No scoring
9:14 - Milan Kytnár (1) 16:25 - Walker Wintoneak (2)		Third period			Carter Ashton (1) - pp - 1:30 Zach Boychuk (3) - pp - 11:00 Dwight King (1) - sh - en - 19:07
Braden Holtby (18 saves / 22 shots)		Goalie stats			Juha Metsola (21 saves / 23 shots)

March 24	Lethbridge Hurricanes		1 – 3		Saskatoon Blades	Enmax Centre
5:24 - pp - Austin Fyten (1)		First period			No scoring
No scoring		Second period			Milan Kytnár (2) - pp - 3:22 Derek Hulak (1) - 10:06
No scoring		Third period			Adam Chorneyko (1) - 6:42
Juha Metsola (16 saves / 19 shots)		Goalie stats			Braden Holtby (27 saves / 28 shots)

March 25	Lethbridge Hurricanes		2 – 1		Saskatoon Blades	Enmax Centre
No scoring		First period			Gaelan Patterson (1) - 16:38
No scoring		Second period			No scoring
3:08 - Zach Boychuk (4) 10:57 - Zach Boychuk (5)		Third period			No scoring
Juha Metsola (22 saves / 23 shots)		Goalie stats			Braden Holtby (22 saves / 24 shots)

March 28	Saskatoon Blades		1 – 3		Lethbridge Hurricanes	Credit Union Centre
11:46 - Derek Hulak (2)		First period			Colton Sceviour (1) - 5:45
No scoring		Second period			Zach Boychuk (6) - sh - 19:55
No scoring		Third period			Kyle Beach (1) - 6:29
Braden Holtby (28 saves / 31 shots)		Goalie stats			Juha Metsola (31 saves / 32 shots)

March 30	Lethbridge Hurricanes		1 – 5		Saskatoon Blades	Enmax Centre
No scoring		First period			Milan Kytnár (3) - 7:08 Teigan Zahn (1) - 12:50
0:44 - sh - Drew Hoff (1)		Second period			Josh Nicholls (1) - 8:54
No scoring		Third period			Adam Chorneyko (2) - pp - 15:21 Josh Nicholls (2) - pp - 18:04
Juha Metsola (29 saves / 34 shots)		Goalie stats			Braden Holtby (26 saves / 27 shots)

March 31	Saskatoon Blades		3 – 4		Lethbridge Hurricanes	Credit Union Centre
No scoring		First period			Colton Sceviour (2) - 14:30
12:42 - pp - Chris Langkow (2)		Second period			Colton Sceviour (3) - 1:25
11:39 - Burke Gallimore (1) 16:33 - Derek Hulak (3)		Third period			Zach Boychuk (7) - pp - 5:40 Luca Sbisa (1) - pp - 13:21
Braden Holtby (22 saves / 26 shots)		Goalie stats			Juha Metsola (24 saves / 27 shots)

Lethbridge wins series 4 – 3

(3) Brandon Wheat Kings vs. (6) Kootenay Ice

March 20	Brandon Wheat Kings		7 – 2		Kootenay Ice	Westman Place
6:53 - Andrew Clark (1)		First period			No scoring
6:37 - Brayden Schenn (1) 15:13 - Brayden Schenn (2)		Second period			No scoring
1:47 - pp - Colby Robak (1) 5:10 - pp - Nathan Green (1) 5:38 - pp - Nathan Green (2) 14:34 - pp - Matt Calvert (1)		Third period			Max Reinhart (1) - 3:40 Ian Barteaux (1) - pp - 12:35
Andrew Hayes (25 saves / 27 shots)		Goalie stats			Todd Mathews (27 saves / 33 shots) Scott Orth (3 saves / 4 shots)

March 21	Brandon Wheat Kings		4 – 1		Kootenay Ice	Westman Place
0:25 - Andrew Clark (2)		First period			Dominik Pacovský (1) - sh - 10:52
3:33 - Aaron Lewadniuk (1)		Second period			No scoring
8:29 - Matt Lowry (1) 19:39 - en - Scott Glennie (1)		Third period			No scoring
Andrew Hayes (25 saves / 26 shots)		Goalie stats			Todd Mathews (27 saves / 30 shots)

March 24	Kootenay Ice		3 – 4	OT	Brandon Wheat Kings	Cranbrook Recreational Complex
No scoring		First period			Brayden Schenn (3) - 5:23
2:40 - Steele Boomer (1) 7:49 - pp - Kevin King (1)		Second period			Matt Calvert (2) - 14:26 Matt Lowry (2) - 19:19
9:52 - pp - Tylan Stephens (1)		Third period			No scoring
No scoring		First overtime period			Matt Calvert (3) - 2:55
Todd Mathews (32 saves / 36 shots)		Goalie stats			Andrew Hayes (30 saves / 33 shots)

March 25	Kootenay Ice		3 – 4		Brandon Wheat Kings	Cranbrook Recreational Complex
No scoring		First period			Matt Calvert (4) - 6:42 Andrew Clark (3) - 8:48
0:43 - Kevin King (2)		Second period			No scoring
7:47 - pp - Andrew Bailey (1) 12:04 - pp - Andrew Bailey (2)		Third period			Brodie Melnychuk (1) - 4:39 Brayden Schenn (4) - 17:20
Todd Mathews (22 saves / 26 shots)		Goalie stats			Andrew Hayes (28 saves / 31 shots)

Brandon wins series 4 – 0

(4) Swift Current Broncos vs. (5) Medicine Hat Tigers

March 20	Swift Current Broncos		4 – 2		Medicine Hat Tigers	InnovationPlex
No scoring		First period			Tyler Ennis (1) - pp - 11:41
11:59 - Keegan Dansereau (1)		Second period			No scoring
7:46 - Taylor Vause (1) 13:05 - Keegan Dansereau (2) 19:24 - en - Keegan Dansereau (3)		Third period			Tyler Ennis (2) - 1:04
Travis Yonkman (36 saves / 38 shots)		Goalie stats			Ryan Holfeld (29 saves / 32 shots)

March 21

Swift Current Broncos

2 – 6

Medicine Hat Tigers

InnovationPlex

March 24

Medicine Hat Tigers

2 – 5

Swift Current Broncos

Medicine Hat Arena

March 25

Medicine Hat Tigers

5 – 3

Swift Current Broncos

Medicine Hat Arena

March 27

Swift Current Broncos

5 – 3

Medicine Hat Tigers

InnovationPlex

March 29

Medicine Hat Tigers

3 – 0

Swift Current Broncos

Medicine Hat Arena

March 31

Swift Current Broncos

1 – 4

Medicine Hat Tigers

InnovationPlex

Medicine Hat wins series 4 – 3

(1) Vancouver Giants vs. (8) Prince George Cougars

March 20	Vancouver Giants		8 – 2		Prince George Cougars	Pacific Coliseum
16:55 - pp - Brent Regner (1)		First period			No scoring
5:30 - Lance Bouma (1) 5:39 - Evander Kane (1) 6:41 - Craig Schira (1) 8:20 - Andrej Kudrna (1) 9:39 - pp - Jonathon Blum (1)		Second period			Marek Viedenský (1) - sh - 4:28
13:27 - pp - Craig Schira (2) 17:21 - Mikhail Fisenko (1)		Third period			No scoring
Tyson Sexsmith (16 saves / 18 shots)		Goalie stats			Kevin Armstrong (25 saves / 31 shots) Joe Caligiuri (20 saves / 22 shots)

March 21

Vancouver Giants

9 – 1

Prince George Cougars

Pacific Coliseum

March 24

Prince George Cougars

2 – 3

OT

Vancouver Giants

Medicine Hat Arena

March 25

Prince George Cougars

2 – 3

Vancouver Giants

Medicine Hat Arena

Vancouver wins series 4 – 0

(4) Spokane Chiefs vs. (5) Seattle Thunderbirds

March 20	Spokane Chiefs		2 – 1		Seattle Thunderbirds	Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena
No scoring		First period			Charles Wells (1) - 9:32
4:21 - Drayson Bowman (1)		Second period			No scoring
11:44 - Drayson Bowman (2)		Third period			No scoring
Dustin Tokarski (31 saves / 32 shots)		Goalie stats			Calvin Pickard (36 saves / 38 shots)

March 21

Spokane Chiefs

1 – 2

Seattle Thunderbirds

Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

March 24

Seattle Thunderbirds

1 – 5

Spokane Chiefs

accesso ShoWare Center

March 25

Seattle Thunderbirds

2 – 3

Spokane Chiefs

accesso ShoWare Center

March 28

Spokane Chiefs

5 – 3

Seattle Thunderbirds

Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

Spokane wins series 4 – 1

(2) Tri-City Americans vs. (7) Seattle Thunderbirds

March 20	Tri-City Americans		6 – 5	OT	Everett Silvertips	Toyota Center
6:43 - Johnny Lazo (1)		First period			Daniel Iwanski (1) - pp - 1:55 Ryan White (1) - pp - 4:56
5:40 - pp - Tyler Schmidt (1) 8:12 - Kruise Reddick (1) 13:56 - Adam Hughesman (1)		Second period			No scoring
16:47 - Lane Werbowski (1)		Third period			Ryan White (2) - 5:47 Tyler Maxwell (1) - 16:56 Daniel Bartek (1) - 19:38
11:13 - Justin Feser (1)		First overtime period			No scoring
Chet Pickard (26 saves / 31 shots)		Goalie stats			Thomas Heemskerk (39 saves / 45 shots)

March 21

Tri-City Americans

2 – 3

Everett Silvertips

Toyota Center

March 24

Everett Silvertips

2 – 4

Tri-City Americans

Xfinity Arena

March 25

Everett Silvertips

1 – 4

Tri-City Americans

Xfinity Arena

March 28

Tri-City Americans

6 – 1

Everett Silvertips

Toyota Center

Tri-City wins series 4 – 1

(3) Kelowna Rockets vs. (6) Kamloops Blazers

March 20	Kelowna Rockets		4 – 2		Kamloops Blazers	Prospera Place
No scoring		First period			Scott Wasden (1) - 10:48
2:28 - Štěpán Novotný (1) 10:18 - pp - Tyler Myers (1) 14:23 - pp - Tyson Barrie (1)		Second period			No scoring
4:55 - Colin Long (1)		Third period			Kenton Dulle (1) - pp - 8:30
Mark Guggenberger (20 saves / 22 shots)		Goalie stats			Justin Leclerc (30 saves / 34 shots)

March 21

Kelowna Rockets

5 – 1

Kamloops Blazers

Prospera Place

March 24

Kamloops Blazers

2 – 3

OT

Kelowna Rockets

Interior Savings Centre

March 25

Kamloops Blazers

3 – 5

Kelowna Rockets

Interior Savings Centre

Kelowna wins series 4 – 0

Conference semifinals

Eastern conference

(1) Calgary Hitmen vs. (7) Lethbridge Hurricanes

April 3	Calgary Hitmen		7 – 1		Lethbridge Hurricanes	Scotiabank Saddledome
9:42 - Carson McMillan (2) 13:54 - Brandon Kozun (4)		First period			No scoring
3:28 - pp - Paul Postma (1)		Second period			No scoring
4:59 - Paul Postma (2) 8:08 - Joel Broda (4) 10:42 - pp - Brandon Kozun (5) 18:09 - Joel Broda (5)		Third period			Mitch Versteeg (1) - pp - 4:26
Martin Jones (15 saves / 16 shots)		Goalie stats			Juha Metsola (23 saves / 28 shots) Michael Tadjdeh (6 saves / 8 shots)

April 5

Calgary Hitmen

2 – 1

Lethbridge Hurricanes

Scotiabank Saddledome

April 7

Lethbridge Hurricanes

2 – 4

Calgary Hitmen

Enmax Centre

April 8

Lethbridge Hurricanes

0 – 6

Calgary Hitmen

Enmax Centre

Calgary wins series 4 – 0

(1) Calgary Hitmen vs. (7) Lethbridge Hurricanes

April 4

Medicine Hat Tigers

3 – 6

Brandon Wheat Kings

Medicine Hat Arena

April 5

Medicine Hat Tigers

6 – 8

Brandon Wheat Kings

Medicine Hat Arena

April 8

Brandon Wheat Kings

6 – 1

Medicine Hat Tigers

Westman Place

April 10

Brandon Wheat Kings

6 – 2

Medicine Hat Tigers

Westman Place

Brandon wins series 4 – 0

Western conference

(1) Vancouver Giants vs. (4) Spokane Chiefs

April 3

Vancouver Giants

3 – 1

Spokane Chiefs

Pacific Coliseum

April 4

Vancouver Giants

4 – 1

Spokane Chiefs

Pacific Coliseum

April 7

Spokane Chiefs

5 – 2

Vancouver Giants

Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

April 8

Spokane Chiefs

1 – 0

Vancouver Giants

Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

April 10

Vancouver Giants

2 – 3

4OT

Spokane Chiefs

Pacific Coliseum

April 12

Spokane Chiefs

2 – 3

2OT

Vancouver Giants

Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

April 14

Vancouver Giants

1 – 0

OT

Spokane Chiefs

Pacific Coliseum

Vancouver wins series 4 – 3

(2) Tri-City Americans vs. (3) Kelowna Rockets

April 3

Tri-City Americans

4 – 3

Kelowna Rockets

Toyota Center

April 4

Tri-City Americans

3 – 2

Kelowna Rockets

Toyota Center

April 7

Kelowna Rockets

7 – 2

Tri-City Americans

Prospera Place

April 8

Kelowna Rockets

4 – 3

OT

Tri-City Americans

Prospera Place

April 10

Tri-City Americans

2 – 5

Kelowna Rockets

Toyota Center

April 12

Kelowna Rockets

6 – 2

Tri-City Americans

Prospera Place

Kelowna wins series 4 – 3

Conference Finals

(1) Calgary Hitmen vs. (3) Brandon Wheat Kings

April 17

Calgary Hitmen

9 – 3

Brandon Wheat Kings

Scotiabank Saddledome

April 19

Calgary Hitmen

5 – 4

Brandon Wheat Kings

Scotiabank Saddledome

April 21

Brandon Wheat Kings

3 – 4

OT

Calgary Hitmen

Westman Place

April 22

Brandon Wheat Kings

4 – 6

Calgary Hitmen

Westman Place

Calgary wins series 4 – 0

(1) Vancouver Giants vs. (3) Kelowna Rockets

April 17

Vancouver Giants

2 – 4

Kelowna Rockets

Pacific Coliseum

April 19

Vancouver Giants

4 – 3

OT

Kelowna Rockets

Pacific Coliseum

April 21

Kelowna Rockets

2 – 3

OT

Vancouver Giants

Prospera Place

April 23

Kelowna Rockets

3 – 0

Vancouver Giants

Prospera Place

April 25

Vancouver Giants

0 – 1

Kelowna Rockets

Pacific Coliseum

April 27

Kelowna Rockets

5 – 4

OT

Vancouver Giants

Prospera Place

Kelowna wins series 4 – 2

WHL Championship

(E1) Calgary Hitmen vs. (W3) Kelowna Rockets

May 1

Calgary Hitmen

1 – 3

Kelowna Rockets

Scotiabank Saddledome

May 2

Calgary Hitmen

2 – 5

Kelowna Rockets

Scotiabank Saddledome

May 4

Kelowna Rockets

2 – 0

Calgary Hitmen

Prospera Place

May 6

Kelowna Rockets

2 – 6

Calgary Hitmen

Prospera Place

May 7

Calgary Hitmen

6 – 1

Kelowna Rockets

Scotiabank Saddledome

May 9

Kelowna Rockets

3 – 2

OT

Calgary Hitmen

Prospera Place

Kelowna wins series 4 – 2

Memorial Cup

Main article: 2009 Memorial Cup

The 91st Memorial Cup was held in Rimouski, Quebec.

WHL awards

Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy	Regular season champions	Calgary Hitmen
Four Broncos Memorial Trophy	Player of the Year	Brett Sonne	Calgary Hitmen
Bob Clarke Trophy	Top Scorer	Casey Pierro-Zabotel	Vancouver Giants
Bill Hunter Trophy	Top Defenseman	Jonathon Blum	Vancouver Giants
Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy	Rookie of the Year	Brett Connolly	Prince George Cougars
Del Wilson Trophy	Top Goaltender	Chet Pickard	Tri-City Americans
WHL Plus-Minus Award	Top Plus-Minus Rating	Paul Postma	Calgary Hitmen
Brad Hornung Trophy	Most Sportsmanlike Player	Tyler Ennis	Medicine Hat Tigers
Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy	Scholastic Player of the Year	Stefan Elliott	Saskatoon Blades
Jim Donlevy Memorial Trophy	Scholastic team of the Year	Prince Albert Raiders
Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy	Coach of the Year	Don Hay	Vancouver Giants
Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy	Executive of the Year	Kelly Kisio	Calgary Hitmen
Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy	Top Official	Chris Savage
St. Clair Group Trophy	Marketing/Public Relations Award	Mike Bortolussi	Medicine Hat Tigers
Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy	Humanitarian of the Year	Taylor Procyshen	Tri-City Americans
WHL Playoff MVP	WHL Finals Most Valuable Player	Tyler Myers	Kelowna Rockets
Professional Hockey Achievement Academic Recipient	Alumni Achievement Awards	Trevor Linden Dan Hulak

• Source WHL Announces 2008-09 Award Winners

All-Star Teams

Eastern Conference
	First Team		Second Team
Goal	Braden Holtby	Saskatoon Blades	Martin Jones	Calgary Hitmen
Defense	Paul Postma	Calgary Hitmen	Michael Stone	Calgary Hitmen
	Keith Aulie	Brandon Wheat Kings	John Negrin	Swift Current Broncos
Forward	Brett Sonne	Calgary Hitmen	Joel Broda	Calgary Hitmen
	Tyler Ennis	Medicine Hat Tigers	Justin Bernhardt	Prince Albert Raiders
	Brandon Kozun	Calgary Hitmen	Brayden Schenn	Brandon Wheat Kings
Western Conference
	First Team		Second Team
Goal	Chet Pickard	Tri-City Americans	Dustin Tokarski	Spokane Chiefs
Defense	Jonathon Blum	Vancouver Giants	Tyler Myers	Kelowna Rockets
	Thomas Hickey	Seattle Thunderbirds	Brent Regner	Vancouver Giants
Forward	Casey Pierro-Zabotel	Vancouver Giants	Drayson Bowman	Spokane Chiefs
	Jamie Benn	Kelowna Rockets	Colin Long	Kelowna Rockets
	Evander Kane	Vancouver Giants	Taylor Procyshen	Tri-City Americans

• Source: WHL Announces 2008–09 Conference All-Star Teams and Award Finalists

See also

• List of WHL seasons
• 2008–09 OHL season
• 2008–09 QMJHL season
• 2008 in ice hockey
• 2009 in ice hockey

External links

• Official website of the Western Hockey League
• Official website of the Canadian Hockey League
• Official website of the MasterCard Memorial Cup
• Official website of the Home Hardware Top Prospects Game
• Official website of the ADT Canada Russia Challenge