The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the
Western Hockey League (WHL). The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The 2008
ADTCanada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took place mid-season from November 26 to 27, 2008. The
Calgary Hitmen won the
Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy with the best regular season record. The playoffs commenced on March 20, and concluded on May 9. The
Kelowna Rockets won the
Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions, defeating the Hitmen in the championship series and earning a berth at the
2009 Memorial Cup tournament.
WHL Commissioner, Ron Robison, dedicated the 2008–09 season to
Ed Chynoweth.[1]
2008–09: Ed Chynoweth's season
The 2008–09 WHL Season will allow us to showcase some of the finest young hockey talent in the world today. We fully expect each WHL Division will feature highly competitive races as our clubs battle for a playoff position.
WHL Commissioner Ron Robison dedicated the 2008–09 season to long-time league president
Ed Chynoweth, who died on April 22, 2008.[2] His death occurred just over a year after the WHL
Championship trophy was renamed in his honour.[3] Throughout the 2008–09 season, the helmets of all the players and officials displayed a commemorative decal.[1]
August 7, 2008 — 6 WHL players were invited to the 2008 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp in
Lake Placid,
New York.[13]
August 16, 2008 — Canada's National Men's Summer Under-18 Team claimed first place at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka tournament, with a 6–3 win over Russia.[14]
Regular season
September 18, 2008 — A tribute involving members of the Chynoweth family took place prior to the season opener between the
Spokane Chiefs and
Kootenay Ice.[1]
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
Note: GP = Games played; Mins = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = Overtime losses; SOL = Shootout Losses; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average; Sv% = Save percentage
The ADT Canada Russia Challenge has become a highlight on the CHL schedule and we are very proud to be associated with it. These two nations have such a storied hockey history that fans from across the country tune in expecting to see a hard fought series. We expect nothing short of world class hockey this November that hockey fans from across the country won't want to miss.
— Joe O'Connell, Regional Vice-President of Canada[35]
The 2008 series was held in six cities across Canada. The series begun on November 17, 2008, and concluded on November 27, 2008.[35] Both Western Hockey League games were held in Saskatchewan. Former
Prince Albert Raider forward
Dan Hodgson was Honorary Captain for the final game in the series, held in
Prince Albert on November 27, 2008.[36]
The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the
Western Hockey League (WHL). The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The 2008
ADTCanada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took place mid-season from November 26 to 27, 2008. The
Calgary Hitmen won the
Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy with the best regular season record. The playoffs commenced on March 20, and concluded on May 9. The
Kelowna Rockets won the
Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions, defeating the Hitmen in the championship series and earning a berth at the
2009 Memorial Cup tournament.
WHL Commissioner, Ron Robison, dedicated the 2008–09 season to
Ed Chynoweth.[1]
2008–09: Ed Chynoweth's season
The 2008–09 WHL Season will allow us to showcase some of the finest young hockey talent in the world today. We fully expect each WHL Division will feature highly competitive races as our clubs battle for a playoff position.
WHL Commissioner Ron Robison dedicated the 2008–09 season to long-time league president
Ed Chynoweth, who died on April 22, 2008.[2] His death occurred just over a year after the WHL
Championship trophy was renamed in his honour.[3] Throughout the 2008–09 season, the helmets of all the players and officials displayed a commemorative decal.[1]
August 7, 2008 — 6 WHL players were invited to the 2008 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp in
Lake Placid,
New York.[13]
August 16, 2008 — Canada's National Men's Summer Under-18 Team claimed first place at the 2008 Ivan Hlinka tournament, with a 6–3 win over Russia.[14]
Regular season
September 18, 2008 — A tribute involving members of the Chynoweth family took place prior to the season opener between the
Spokane Chiefs and
Kootenay Ice.[1]
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes
Note: GP = Games played; Mins = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OTL = Overtime losses; SOL = Shootout Losses; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average; Sv% = Save percentage
The ADT Canada Russia Challenge has become a highlight on the CHL schedule and we are very proud to be associated with it. These two nations have such a storied hockey history that fans from across the country tune in expecting to see a hard fought series. We expect nothing short of world class hockey this November that hockey fans from across the country won't want to miss.
— Joe O'Connell, Regional Vice-President of Canada[35]
The 2008 series was held in six cities across Canada. The series begun on November 17, 2008, and concluded on November 27, 2008.[35] Both Western Hockey League games were held in Saskatchewan. Former
Prince Albert Raider forward
Dan Hodgson was Honorary Captain for the final game in the series, held in
Prince Albert on November 27, 2008.[36]