WHL Staff & Contact Information
You may contact the Western Hockey League at:
Mail/Courier Address:
Father David Bauer Arena
2424 University Drive N.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 3Y9
Phone: (403) 693-3030
Fax: (403) 693-3031
Email: info@whl.ca
- Ron Robison – Commissioner
- Greg Gardner – Chief Operating Officer
- Richard Doerksen – Vice-President, Hockey
- Kevin Muench – Senior Director, Officiating
- Stacy Baker – Director, Finance
- Brandon Polanski – Financial Controller
- Alyson Chambers – Director, Marketing
- Taylor Rocca – Director, Communications
- Wade Tam – Senior Manager, Scholarship Administration
- Jane Hart – Senior Manager, Marketing & Business Development
- Stacey Meyer – Manager, Education Services
- Taylor Green – Manager, Hockey Operations
- Noah Rousseau – Manager, Officiating
- Cory Bukauskas – Manager, Video & Creative Services
- Cami Kepke – Manager, Communications & Content
- Katherine Harrington – Manager, Business Administration
- Dianne Hayes – Coordinator, Finance
- Alex Brodie – Coordinator, Hockey Operations Video Services
- Brad Ginnell – Intern, Hockey Operations
About the WHL
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Timeline of WHL history
This is a timeline of events throughout the five decade-plus history of the Western Hockey League (WHL).
1960s
- 1966: League began play as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League (CMJHL) with seven teams in Alberta and Saskatchewan: Calgary Buffaloes, Edmonton Oil Kings, Estevan Bruins, Moose Jaw Canucks, Regina Pats, Saskatoon Blades, and Weyburn Red Wings.
- 1967: League expands into Manitoba, changes its name to Western Canada Junior Hockey League (WCJHL). Calgary Buffaloes become the Calgary Centennials. Swift Current Broncos, Flin Flon Bombers, Winnipeg Jets and Brandon Wheat Kings join the league.
- 1968: League shortens its name to Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL).
- 1968: Regina Pats, Weyburn Red Wings and Moose Jaw Canucks leave the league. Remaining eight teams broken into two divisions: East (Flin Flon, Estevan, Winnipeg, Brandon); West (Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Swift Current).
- 1969: Champion Flin Flon Bombers was awarded the CHA “National Championship” series against Western Ontario Junior A Hockey League Champion St. Thomas Barons. Series starred Bobby Clarke for Flin Flon and Ken Murray for St. Thomas. The championship was not sanctioned by the CAHA and game four was forfeited during the second period by St. Thomas due to violent play. Prior to Game 4, Flin Flon led the series 2-games-to-1.[1]
1970s
- 1970: Regina Pats return, and play in the Eastern Division; Medicine Hat Tigers are granted a franchise, and play in the Western Division.
- 1971: League expands into British Columbia. Estevan Bruins move to New Westminster, and play in the Western Division. Victoria Cougars, and Vancouver Nats granted franchises, both play in the Western Division. Swift Current and Saskatoon move to the Eastern Division.
- 1973: Vancouver Nats move to Kamloops and become the Kamloops Chiefs; Winnipeg Jets become Winnipeg Clubs.
- 1974: Swift Current Broncos move to Lethbridge
- 1976: League expands into Oregon. Edmonton Oil Kings move to Portland and become the Portland Winter Hawks. Winnipeg Clubs become Winnipeg Monarchs.
- 1976: League splits into three divisions: East (Brandon, Saskatoon, Flin Flon, Regina); Central (Medicine Hat, Winnipeg, Lethbridge, Calgary); West (New Westminster, Kamloops, Portland, Victoria).
- 1977: League expands into Montana and Washington. Calgary Centennials move to Billings to become the Billings Bighorns. Winnipeg Monarchs move to Calgary and become the Calgary Wranglers. Kamloops Chiefs fold. Seattle Breakers granted a franchise and play in the Western Division.
- 1978: The WCHL becomes the Western Hockey League (WHL). Flin Flon Bombers move to Edmonton to become the second incarnation of the Edmonton Oil Kings.
- 1979: Edmonton Oil Kings move to Great Falls to become the Great Falls Americans; they would fold on December 16.
- 1979: The WHL shrinks back into two divisions: West (Portland, Victoria, Seattle, New Westminster) and East (Regina, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Billings, Brandon, Lethbridge, Saskatoon, Great Falls)
1980s
- 1980: Winnipeg Warriors granted a franchise and play in the East Division. Spokane Flyers granted a franchise and play in the West Division.
- 1981: New Westminster Bruins move to Kamloops and become the Kamloops Junior Oilers. Spokane Flyers fold on December 2.
- 1982: Billings Bighorns move to Nanaimo, British Columbia and become the Nanaimo Islanders. Prince Albert Raiders and Kelowna Wings are granted franchises. Prince Albert plays in the East Division, Kelowna in the West.
- 1983: Nanaimo Islanders move to New Westminster and become the 2nd incarnation of the New Westminster Bruins.
- 1984: Winnipeg Warriors become the Moose Jaw Warriors. Kamloops Junior Oilers become the Kamloops Blazers.
- 1985: Kelowna Wings move to Spokane and become the Spokane Chiefs. Seattle Breakers become Seattle Thunderbirds.
- 1986: Lethbridge Broncos return to Swift Current.
- 1987: Calgary Wranglers move to Lethbridge to become the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
- 1988: New Westminster Bruins move to the Tri-Cities and become the Tri-City Americans.
1990s
- 1991: Tacoma Rockets granted a franchise and play in the Western Division.
- 1992: Red Deer Rebels granted a franchise and play in the Eastern Division.
- 1994: Victoria Cougars move to Prince George and become the Prince George Cougars.
- 1995: Calgary Hitmen are granted a franchise. Tacoma Rockets move to Kelowna and become the Kelowna Rockets.
- 1995: WHL divides into three divisions: West (Spokane, Tri-Cities, Kelowna, Seattle, Kamloops, Portland, Prince George), Central (Swift Current, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Calgary), and East (Brandon, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw).
- 1996: Edmonton Ice are granted a franchise, and play in the central division. Swift Current moves to the east division.
- 1998: Edmonton Ice move to Cranbrook and become the Kootenay Ice.
2000s
- 2001: Vancouver Giants granted a franchise.
- 2001: WHL divides into two conferences of two divisions each: Eastern Conference: East Division (Brandon, Regina, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, Prince Albert); Central Division (Red Deer, Swift Current, Lethbridge, Calgary, Medicine Hat); Western Conference: British Columbia Division (Kamloops, Kootenay, Prince George, Kelowna, Vancouver); United States Division (Portland, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Seattle).
- 2003: Everett Silvertips are granted a franchise and play in the United States division.
- 2005: The Tri-City Americans’ plan to move to Chilliwack is voted down by the league Board of Governors. Three weeks after the initial vote, the league grants Chilliwack an expansion team named the Chilliwack Bruins for play in the 2006–07 WHL season. The Tri-City Americans would stay put under a new ownership group led by former Tri-City and National Hockey League players Stu Barnes and Olaf Kolzig.
- 2005: Shaw TV Signs a TV contract to broadcast WHL games live.
- 2006: Edmonton granted a conditional franchise that began play in 2007–08. The team, named the Edmonton Oil Kings, is owned by the Edmonton Investors Group, then owner of the Edmonton Oilers.
- 2010: The 2010-2011 Season was the first to be featured in EA Sports NHL 11 video game including all the teams and rosters.
- 2011: The Spokane Chiefs hosted the Kootenay Ice in the WHL’s first ever outdoor game on January 15.
- 2011: On February 21, the defending champions Calgary Hitmen hosted the oldest continually operated major-junior hockey team in the world, the Regina Pats, for an outdoor game at McMahon Stadium in conjunction with the 2011 NHL Heritage Classic.
- 2011: The Chilliwack Bruins move to Victoria, becoming the Victoria Royals.
- 2016: The Vancouver Giants move from Vancouver to Langley and begin playing out of the Langley Events Centre. In spite of the move, the team continues to operate under the Vancouver Giants name and identity
- 2019: The Kootenay Ice move from Cranbrook to Winnipeg, becoming the Winnipeg Ice.
WHL Standard of Conduct Acknowledgement Form
Western Hockey League
Standard of Conduct Acknowledgment Form (2022-23)
It is a privilege to participate in the Western Hockey League (WHL), a member of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). All participants associated with the WHL – including players, coaches, Club staff, management, ownership, League staff and officials – are required to comply with the WHL Standard of Conduct at all times. The WHL requires all participants to acknowledge that they have read and understand the WHL Standard of Conduct by signing the acknowledgment form.
The WHL has adopted a series of policies and regulations which all participants must fully respect and comply with during the 2022-23 WHL season. To ensure all WHL participants are fully aware of the policies and regulations that govern the WHL, this Standard of Conduct Acknowledgement Form provides a brief overview of the key policies and regulations and a link which provides further details.
This will acknowledge I have read and am fully aware of the following WHL policies and regulations:
- Racial / Derogatory Comments Policy / Regulation
- States that any comment made by a WHL participant of a racial or derogatory nature will result in immediate disciplinary action
- Abuse, Bullying, Harassment and Hazing Policy / Regulations
- states that any form of abuse or neglect, whether emotional, verbal, physical or sexual of any participant or anyone associated directly or indirectly with the WHL, will not be tolerated and will result in immediate disciplinary action
- Social Media and Networking Policy / Regulation
- states that social media may not be used to engage in any conduct of an inappropriate nature which would be detrimental to any participant or anyone associated directly or indirectly with the WHL
- Personal Conduct Policy / Regulation
- a year round WHL policy that states all participants are required to avoid conduct that is considered detrimental reputation of the WHL, the CHL or the spirit of hockey.
- Diversity and Inclusion Policy / Regulation
- states the WHL is a diverse and inclusive organization in which all participants will be respected, valued and welcomed at all times.
To further ensure all participants fully understand the WHL policies and regulations, the WHL also delivers a series of education and prevention programs through the WHL Respect in Hockey and WHL Security Network Player Impact programs.
As a player, it is also acknowledged and understood that you agree to follow all team rules, including that there will not be any consumption or possession of alcohol or non-prescription drugs at any team or WHL sanctioned event and that there will not be any consumption or possession of cannabis or banned substances, as outlined, in the CHL Drug Education and Anti-Doping program, at any time.
All participants are obligated to report violations of this WHL Standard of Conduct or any of the WHL policies or regulations by contacting the WHL Respect Line (1-888-914-5525). This season the WHL is further enhancing our Player Respect Education and Safety systems by adding a new independent complaint channel for players, staff and anyone associated with the WHL – the WHL Player Advisory Council (PAC). You can register your complaint to PAC via email: complaints@whlpac.ca.
All participants are also required to cooperate with investigations initiated by the WHL or the CHL. Failure to cooperate with an investigation will result in disciplinary action by the WHL. Failure to comply with the Standard of Conduct will be considered as conduct detrimental to the integrity of the WHL and will result in disciplinary action.
This will confirm I have read and understand the WHL policies and regulations and the other conditions outlined in the WHL Standard of Conduct Acknowledgement Form.
