1978–79 WHL season

The 1978–79 WHL season was the 13th season of the Western Hockey League (WHL), and the first under that shortened name after previously operating as the Western Canada Hockey League. The season featured twelve teams and a 72-game regular season. The Brandon Wheat Kings secured their third consecutive regular season title, posting the league's best record—accumulating a league record 125 points in the standings—and followed the title up with the team's first playoff championship, defeating the Portland Winter Hawks in the final series to capture the President's Cup. The season was the first—and only—season for the second incarnation of the Edmonton Oil Kings after the Flin Flon Bombers relocated to Edmonton prior to the season. == Team changes == The Flin Flon Bombers relocated to Edmonton, Alberta, becoming the Edmonton Oil Kings. == Regular season == === Final standings === === Scoring leaders === Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes == 1979 WHL Playoffs == === Division semi-finals === Round robin format Brandon (7–1) advanced Saskatoon (3–5) advanced Edmonton (2–6) eliminated Lethbridge (5–3) advanced Calgary (4–4) advanced Billings (3–5) eliminated Portland (7–1) advanced Victoria (3–5) advanced New Westminster (2–6) eliminated === Division finals === Brandon defeated Saskatoon 4 games to 0 Lethbridge defeated Calgary 4 games to 3 Portland defeated Victoria 4 games to 3 === League semi-finals === Round Robin format Brandon (3–1) advanced Portland (3–1) advanced Lethbridge (0–4) eliminated === WHL Championship === Brandon defeated Portland 4 games to 2 == WHL awards == == All-Star teams == == See also == 1979 Memorial Cup 1979 NHL entry draft 1978 in sports 1979 in sports == References == 2005–06 WHL Guide