The Western Hockey League (WHL) is a 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 (CHL) as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada, alongside the Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.
Teams play for the Ed Chynoweth Cup, with the winner moving on to play for the Memorial Cup, Canada’s national junior championship. WHL teams have won the Memorial Cup 19 times.
The WHL is composed of 22 teams divided into two conferences of two divisions. The Eastern Conference comprises 11 teams from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, while the Western Conference comprises 11 teams from British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon.