1977–78 WCHL season

Junior ice hockey season August 2023 1977–78 WCHL season Western Hockey League Ice hockey Playoffs New Westminster Bruins (4) Billings Bighorns 12 Regular season Season champions Brandon Wheat Kings (2) Four Broncos Memorial Trophy Ryan Walter (Seattle Breakers) Bob Clarke Trophy Brian Propp (Brandon Wheat Kings) WHL 1976–77 1978–79 1977–78 CHL season #4B489D #FFFFFF Canadian Hockey League Ice hockey 34 OMJHL QMJHL WCHL Memorial Cup New Westminster Bruins (WCHL) 2 Peterborough Petes (OMJHL) The 1977–78 WCHL season was the 12th season of the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL), featuring twelve teams and a 72-game regular season. The Brandon Wheat Kings won their second consecutive regular season title, topping the standings with 46 wins. In the playoffs, the New Westminster Bruins solidified their dynasty in winning their fourth consecutive President's Cup, defeating the Billings Bighorns—the first American-based club to make the league playoff final—in the championship series. The Bruins earned a berth in the 1978 Memorial Cup tournament, and there won the club's second consecutive Memorial Cup title. The season was the first for a trio of franchises. The Calgary Centennials relocated to Billings, Montana and became the Bighorns. However, Calgary was not left without a team as the Winnipeg Monarchs relocated there and became the Calgary Wranglers. Finally, the Kamloops Chiefs relocated to Seattle and became the Seattle Breakers, bringing the number of American clubs in the league up to three. Team changes The Calgary Centennials relocated to Billings, Montana, becoming the Billings Bighorns. The Winnipeg Monarchs relocated to Calgary, Alberta, becoming the Calgary Wranglers. The Kamloops Chiefs relocated to Seattle, Washington, becoming the Seattle Breakers. Regular season Final standings main WDL 2 y y n before qualified for playoffs East Division BRA Brandon Wheat Kings FLI Flin Flon Bombers REG Regina Pats SAS Saskatoon Blades 46 12 14 424 299 x 33 30 9 396 380 x 29 38 5 363 405 x 20 50 2 340 460 complete main WDL 2 y y n before qualified for playoffs Central Division LET Lethbridge Broncos BIL Billings Bighorns MED Medicine Hat Tigers CAL Calgary Wranglers 36 29 7 341 328 x 32 31 9 342 336 x 22 41 9 293 365 x 18 40 14 303 404 complete main WDL 2 y y n before qualified for playoffs West Division POR Portland Winter Hawks VIC Victoria Cougars NEW New Westminster Bruins SEA Seattle Breakers 41 20 11 361 296 x 34 29 9 365 333 x 33 28 11 345 310 x 32 28 12 359 316 complete Scoring leaders Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes Player Team GP G A Pts PIM Brian Propp Brandon Wheat Kings 70 70 112 182 200 Ray Allison Brandon Wheat Kings 71 73 86 160 254 Steve Tambellini Lethbridge Broncos 66 75 80 155 32 Errol Rausse Seattle Breakers 72 62 92 154 60 Bill Derlago Brandon Wheat Kings 52 89 63 152 105 Geordie Robertson Victoria Cougars 61 64 72 136 85 Gerald Minor Regina Pats 66 54 75 129 236 Merlin Malinowski Medicine Hat Tigers 72 48 78 126 131 Ryan Walter Seattle Breakers 62 54 71 125 148 Wayne Babych Portland Winter Hawks 68 50 71 121 218 1978 WCHL Playoffs Division Semi-finals Round Robin format Flin Flon (4–4) advanced Regina (4–4) advanced Brandon (4–4) eliminated Billings (6–2) advanced Medicine Hat (3–5) advanced Lethbridge (3–5) eliminated New Westminster (7–1) advanced Victoria (4–4) advanced Portland (1–7) eliminated Division Finals Flin Flon defeated Regina 4 games to 1 Billings defeated Medicine Hat 4 games to 0 New Westminster defeated Victoria 4 games to 1 League semi-finals Round Robin format Billings (3–1) advanced New Westminster (3–1) advanced Flin Flon (0–4) eliminated WHL Championship New Westminster defeated Billings 4 games to 0 All-Star game On January 18, the West All-Stars defeated the East All-Stars 2–1 at Regina, Saskatchewan before a crowd of 2,814. WHL awards Most Valuable Player: Ryan Walter, Seattle BreakersTop Scorer: Brian Propp, Brandon Wheat KingsMost Sportsmanlike Player: Steve Tambellini, Lethbridge BroncosTop Defenseman: Brad McCrimmon, Brandon Wheat KingsRookie of the Year: (tie) Keith Brown, Portland Winter Hawks and John Ogrodnick, New Westminster BruinsTop Goaltender: Bart Hunter, Portland Winter HawksCoach of the Year: (tie) Dave King, Billings Bighorns and Jack Shupe, Victoria CougarsRegular season champions: Brandon Wheat Kings All-Star teams First Team Second Team Goal Tim Thomlison Billings Bighorns Bart Hunter Portland Winter HawksDefense Brad McCrimmon Brandon Wheat Kings Dwayne Lowdermilk Seattle Breakers Larry Playfair Portland Winter Hawks Keith Brown (tie) Portland Winter Hawks - - Brian Young (tie) New Westminster Bruins Center Ryan Walter Seattle Breakers Bill Derlago Brandon Wheat Kings Left Wing Brian Propp Brandon Wheat Kings Errol Rausse Seattle Breakers Right Wing Wayne Babych Portland Winter Hawks Ray Allison Brandon Wheat Kings See also 1978 NHL entry draft 1977 in sports 1978 in sports References 2005–06 WHL Guide 1976–77 WCHL season 1978–79 WHL season WHL seasons Category:Western Hockey League seasons WCHL WCHL