Western Hockey League

Bill Hunter may have left the Edmonton Oil Kings behind to pursue his interests with the Edmonton Oilers of the World Hockey Association, but his legacy in junior hockey continues to grow today. The Western Hockey League, his late-’60s creation, had become the dominant junior circuit in Western Canada, with teams in all four Western provinces.

After some negotiations with the Canadian Hockey Association, the WHL was allowed to send its champion to the Memorial Cup, which it was originally forbidden to do over the issue of overage players. Since 1971, the WHA has sent their champion to the Memorial Cup.

The Western Hockey League has been a Mecca for developing top-flight NHL talent, including Bobby Clarke, Reggie Leach, Mark Recchi, Theoren Fleury, Joe Sakic, Ryan Smyth and Jarome Iginla.

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