2005–06 WHL season


The 2005–06 WHL season was the 40th season for the Western Hockey League. Twenty teams completed a 72-game schedule. The Vancouver Giants won the President's Cup.

League notes

The WHL that it would adopt many of the new rules put in place by the NHL this season to increase scoring. They are:
It is worth noting that the WHL did not move the goal and blue lines to increase the size of the offensive zones like the NHL, as the league felt that the teams did not have enough time to modify their arenas. Thus, only the Calgary Hitmen, who share an arena with the Calgary Flames play using the new alignment. The new standard will be employed by the remaining teams beginning in 2006–07.

Regular season

Final standings

Eastern Conference

Central DivisionGPWLOTLSOLPtsGFGA
x Medicine Hat Tigers72471618103257171
x Calgary Hitmen72471834101195155
x Lethbridge Hurricanes7227363663195250
x Swift Current Broncos7224346862175242
Red Deer Rebels7226401558166220

Western Conference

U.S. DivisionGPWLOTLSOLPtsGFGA
x Everett Silvertips7240272385203158
x Seattle Thunderbirds7235311576186211
x Portland Winter Hawks7232323572204258
x Tri-City Americans7230354367188221
Spokane Chiefs7225395358193254

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes
PlayerTeamGPGAPtsPIM
Troy BrouwerMoose Jaw Warriors724953102122
Adam CracknellKootenay Ice7242519385
Ian McDonaldTri-City Americans7137559216
Dustin BoydMoose Jaw Warriors6448429034
Justin KellerKelowna Rockets7251378882
Blair JonesMoose Jaw Warriors7235508585
Devin SetoguchiSaskatoon Blades6536478369
Darren HelmMedicine Hat Tigers7041387937
Ryan RussellKootenay Ice7233427530
Chad KlassenSpokane/Saskatoon6827487561

Goaltending leaders

Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; SOL = Shootout losses ; GA = Goals against; SO = Total shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average
PlayerTeamGPMinWLSOLGASOSV%GAA
Justin PoggeCalgary Hitmen543237381249311.9261.72
Dustin SladeVancouver Giants5533193613510511.9121.90
Leland IrvingEverett Silvertips673791372331214.9251.91
Matt KeetleyMedicine Hat Tigers623741421451306.9162.09
Taylor DakersKootenay Ice47267130151948.9262.11

2006 WHL Playoffs

Overview

Conference quarterfinals

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Conference semifinals

Conference finals

WHL Championship

[ADT Canada-Russia Challenge]

On November 30, Team WHL defeated the Russian Selects 9–2 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan before a crowd of 5,572.
On December 1, Team WHL defeated the Russian Selects 3–1 in Regina, Saskatchewan before a crowd of 4,662.
The WHL has an all-time record of 6–0 against the Russian Selects since the tournament began in 2003–04.

WHL awards

2006 Bantam draft

The 2006 WHL Bantam Draft took place in Calgary, Alberta on Thursday May 4. It was the 17th annual draft to take place.
#PlayerNationalityWHL Team
1Jared Cowen Spokane Chiefs
2Landon Ferraro Red Deer Rebels
3Ryan Howse Chilliwack Bruins
4Cole Penner Prince Albert Raiders
5Jimmy Bubnick Kamloops Blazers
6Cody Eakin Swift Current Broncos
7Carter Ashton Lethbridge Hurricanes
8Jason Gardiner Tri-City Americans
9Brayden Schenn Brandon Wheat Kings
10Riley Boychuk Portland Winter Hawks
11Steve Chaffin Seattle Thunderbirds
12Stefan Elliott Prince George Cougars
13Kellan Tochkin Everett Silvertips
14Brett Miller Regina Pats
15Mitch Berg Saskatoon Blades
16Nathan Lieuwen Kootenay Ice
17Justin Maylan Moose Jaw Warriors
18Tyson Barrie Kelowna Rockets
19Evander Kane Vancouver Giants
20Chase Schaber Calgary Hitmen
21Cody Carlson Medicine Hat Tigers