The1974–75 WCHL seasonwas the ninth season of theWestern Canada Hockey League(WCHL). It featured twelve teams playing a 70-game regular season, an increase from 68. TheVictoria Cougarstopped the regular season standings with 47 wins. In the playoffs, theNew Westminster Bruinsdefeated theSaskatoon Bladesin a seven-game championship series to win thePresident's Cup.With the win, the Bruins earned a berth at the1975 Memorial Cuptournament, in which they lost the final to theToronto Marlboros,who captured their record seventh national title.
1974–75 WCHL season | |
---|---|
League | Western Hockey League |
Sport | Ice hockey |
Number of teams | 12 |
Regular season | |
Season champions | Victoria Cougars(1) |
SeasonMVP | Bryan Trottier(Lethbridge Broncos) |
Top scorer | Mel Bridgman(Victoria Cougars) |
Playoffs | |
Finals champions | New Westminster Bruins(1) |
Runners-up | Saskatoon Blades |
1974–75 Canadian major junior season | |
---|---|
Sport | Ice hockey |
Number of teams | 33 |
OMJHL | |
QMJHL | |
WCHL | |
Memorial Cup | |
Finals champions | Toronto Marlboros(OMJHL)(7th title) |
Runners-up | New Westminster Bruins(WCHL) |
The season was the first for theLethbridge Broncos,after theSwift Current Broncosrelocated prior to the season.
League notes
edit- During the 1975 Memorial Cup tournament, officials from the WCHL and the other two Canadian major junior leagues—theOntario Major Junior Hockey Leagueand the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League—announced the formation of theCanadian Major Junior Hockey Leagueas an umbrella organization for major junior hockey.[1]
Team changes
edit- TheSwift Current Broncosrelocate toLethbridge, Alberta,becoming theLethbridge Broncos.
Regular season
editFinal standings
editEast Division | GP | W | L | T | Pts | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
xSaskatoon Blades | 70 | 38 | 22 | 10 | 86 | 344 | 244 |
xLethbridge Broncos | 70 | 28 | 32 | 10 | 66 | 302 | 315 |
xRegina Pats | 70 | 29 | 36 | 5 | 63 | 260 | 288 |
xBrandon Wheat Kings | 70 | 24 | 35 | 11 | 59 | 276 | 320 |
Winnipeg Clubs | 70 | 23 | 35 | 12 | 58 | 265 | 366 |
Flin Flon Bombers | 70 | 19 | 42 | 9 | 47 | 262 | 389 |
West Division | GP | W | L | T | Pts | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
xVictoria Cougars | 70 | 47 | 18 | 5 | 99 | 416 | 257 |
xMedicine Hat Tigers | 70 | 40 | 22 | 8 | 88 | 380 | 291 |
xNew Westminster Bruins | 70 | 37 | 22 | 11 | 85 | 319 | 260 |
xKamloops Chiefs | 70 | 38 | 24 | 8 | 84 | 327 | 279 |
Edmonton Oil Kings | 70 | 34 | 29 | 7 | 75 | 340 | 321 |
Calgary Centennials | 70 | 11 | 51 | 8 | 30 | 236 | 399 |
Scoring leaders
editNote: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes
Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mel Bridgman | Victoria Cougars | 66 | 66 | 91 | 157 | 175 |
Bryan Trottier | Lethbridge Broncos | 67 | 46 | 98 | 144 | 103 |
Don Murdoch | Medicine Hat Tigers | 70 | 82 | 59 | 141 | 83 |
Dave Faulkner | Regina Pats | 70 | 56 | 66 | 122 | 59 |
Don Ashby | Calgary Centennials | 70 | 52 | 68 | 120 | 71 |
Rich Gosselin | Flin Flon Bombers | 70 | 47 | 69 | 116 | 83 |
Peter Morris | Victoria Cougars | 70 | 43 | 72 | 115 | 173 |
Barry Dean | Medicine Hat Tigers | 64 | 40 | 75 | 115 | 173 |
Danny Lucas | Victoria Cougars | 70 | 57 | 56 | 113 | 74 |
Rick Blight | Brandon Wheat Kings | 65 | 60 | 52 | 112 | 65 |
Greg Miazga | Victoria Cougars | 70 | 14 | 28 | 42 | 117 |
1975 WCHL Playoffs
editLeague quarter-finals
edit- Saskatoon defeated Brandon 4 games to 1
- Regina defeated Lethbridge 4 games to 2
- New Westminster defeated Medicine Hat 4 games to 1
- Victoria defeated Kamloops 4 games to 2
League semi-finals
edit- Saskatoon defeated Regina 4 games to 1
- New Westminster defeated Victoria 4 games to 2
WHL Championship
edit- New Westminster defeated Saskatoon 4 games to 3
All-Star game
editOn January 15, the West All-Stars defeated the East All-Stars 4–1 atVictoria, British Columbiain front of a crowd of 3,452.
WHL awards
editAll-Star Team
edit- Goaltender:Ed Staniowski,Regina Pats
- Defenseman:Rick Lapointe,Victoria Cougars
- Defenseman:Robin Sadler,Edmonton Oil Kings
- Centerman:Mel Bridgman,Victoria Cougars&Bryan Trottier,Lethbridge Broncos(tied)
- Left Winger:Barry Dean,Medicine Hat Tigers
- Right Winger:Don Murdoch,Medicine Hat Tigers
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Passa, Dennis (May 9, 1975)."Junior leagues are together".Brandon Sun.Brandon, Manitoba. p. 21.
- 2005–06 WHL Guide