The 1982–83 WHL season was the 17th season of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Fourteen teams completed a 72-game season. The Saskatoon Blades topped the regular season standings to capture their second Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy. In the playoffs, the Lethbridge Broncos won the President's Cup, defeating the Portland Winter Hawks in the championship series. The Broncos thus earned a berth in the 1983 Memorial Cup tournament. This was the first Memorial Cup to feature a host team as a fourth participant, and that host was the host Winter Hawks. Portland won the tournament, becoming the first American team to win the Memorial Cup title.
The season was the first for the Nanaimo Islanders, after the Billings Bighorns relocated to Vancouver Island prior to the season. In addition, two expansion teams joined the WHL: the Prince Albert Raiders and the Kelowna Wings.
Team changes The Billings Bighorns are relocated to Nanaimo, British Columbia, becoming the Nanaimo Islanders. The Kelowna Wings join the WHL as an expansion team. The Prince Albert Raiders join the WHL as an expansion team.
Regular season
Final standings
Scoring leaders Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes
Player Team GP G A Pts PIM Dale Derkatch Regina Pats 67 84 95 179 62 Dean Evason Kamloops Junior Oilers 70 71 93 164 102 Kelly Glowa Brandon Wheat Kings 68 71 92 163 87 Roger Kortko Saskatoon Blades 72 62 99 161 79 Ken Yaremchuk Portland Winter Hawks 66 51 109 160 76 Randy Heath Portland Winter Hawks 72 82 69 151 52 Jim McGeough Nanaimo Islanders 72 76 56 132 126 Mark Morrison Victoria Cougars 58 55 75 130 54 Dan Hodgson Prince Albert Raiders 72 56 74 130 66 Darren Boyko Winnipeg Warriors 72 49 81 130 8
1983 WHL Playoffs
First round Saskatoon earned a bye Regina earned a bye Calgary defeated Medicine Hat 3 games to 2 Lethbridge defeated Winnipeg 3 games to 0
Division semi-finals Calgary defeated Regina 4 games to 1 Lethbridge defeated Saskatoon 4 games to 2 Portland defeated Seattle 4 games to 0 Victoria defeated Kamloops 4 games to 3
Division finals Lethbridge defeated Calgary 4 games to 2 Portland defeated Victoria 4 games to 1
WHL Championship Lethbridge defeated Portland 4 games to 1
WHL awards Most Valuable Player: Mike Vernon, Calgary WranglersTop Scorer - Bob Clarke Trophy: Dale Derkatch, Regina PatsMost Sportsmanlike Player: Darren Boyko, Winnipeg WarriorsTop Defenseman - Bill Hunter Trophy: Gary Leeman, Regina PatsRookie of the Year - Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy: Dan Hodgson, Prince Albert RaidersTop Goaltender - Del Wilson Trophy: Mike Vernon, Calgary WranglersCoach of the Year - Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy: Daryl Lubiniecki, Saskatoon BladesRegular season champions - Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy: Saskatoon Blades
All-Star teams First Team Second Team Goal Mike Vernon Calgary Wranglers Todd Lumbard Regina PatsDefense Gary Leeman Regina Pats Doug Bodger Kamloops Junior Oilers Mike Heidt Calgary Wranglers Bob Rouse Lethbridge Broncos Center Dale Derkatch Regina Pats Ken Yaremchuk Portland Winter Hawks Left Wing Randy Heath Portland Winter Hawks Todd Strueby Saskatoon Blades Right Wing Rich Chernomaz Victoria Cougars Lane Lambert Saskatoon Blades
See also 1983 NHL entry draft 1982 in sports 1983 in sports
References
2005–06 WHL Guide