# 2001–02 WHL season

The 2001–02 WHL season was the 36th season of the Western Hockey League (WHL). The league expanded to nineteen teams with the addition of the Vancouver Giants. The Red Deer Rebels won their second consecutive Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy for posting the best regular season record; the Rebels also returned to the championship series for a second straight here. However, the Kootenay Ice defeated the Rebels to win their second President's Cup and a berth in the 2002 Memorial Cup, where the Ice would win their first Memorial Cup title.

## League notes

* The Vancouver Giants joined the WHL as its 19th franchise. This precipitated a new standings format, with the league moving from three divisions to four, divided into Eastern and Western Conferences. The Swift Current Broncos moved from the East to the Central division, and the Kootenay Ice movied from the Central to the new B.C. Division—the old West Division was divided into the B.C. and U.S. Divisions.
* The top four teams in each division qualified for the playoffs, with the caveat that the 5th place team in the B.C. Division could qualify in place of the 4th place team in the U.S. Division if they had a better record.

## Regular season
### Eastern Conference

| East Division | GP | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
| x Brandon Wheat Kings | 72 | 43 | 23 | 4 | 2 | 92 | 261 | 210 |
| x Regina Pats | 72 | 40 | 20 | 4 | 8 | 92 | 252 | 192 |
| x Moose Jaw Warriors | 72 | 30 | 34 | 6 | 2 | 68 | 226 | 239 |
| x Saskatoon Blades | 72 | 27 | 37 | 5 | 3 | 62 | 216 | 257 |
| Prince Albert Raiders | 72 | 26 | 41 | 2 | 3 | 57 | 234 | 324 |
| Central Division | GP | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
| x Red Deer Rebels | 72 | 46 | 18 | 7 | 1 | 100 | 264 | 184 |
| x Swift Current Broncos | 72 | 42 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 97 | 274 | 218 |
| x Calgary Hitmen | 72 | 33 | 33 | 5 | 1 | 72 | 271 | 281 |
| x Lethbridge Hurricanes | 72 | 33 | 33 | 6 | 0 | 72 | 266 | 247 |
| Medicine Hat Tigers | 72 | 30 | 36 | 4 | 2 | 66 | 277 | 316 |

### Western Conference

| B.C. Division | GP | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
| x Kamloops Blazers | 72 | 38 | 25 | 5 | 4 | 85 | 263 | 230 |
| x Kootenay Ice | 72 | 38 | 27 | 7 | 0 | 83 | 276 | 223 |
| x Prince George Cougars | 72 | 34 | 27 | 9 | 2 | 79 | 244 | 215 |
| x Kelowna Rockets | 72 | 31 | 26 | 10 | 5 | 77 | 257 | 232 |
| Vancouver Giants | 72 | 13 | 49 | 6 | 4 | 36 | 198 | 365 |
| U.S. Division | GP | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | GF | GA |
| x Portland Winter Hawks | 72 | 36 | 25 | 5 | 6 | 83 | 269 | 243 |
| x Spokane Chiefs | 72 | 33 | 25 | 11 | 3 | 80 | 223 | 206 |
| x Tri-City Americans | 72 | 31 | 31 | 10 | 0 | 72 | 260 | 271 |
| x Seattle Thunderbirds | 72 | 21 | 40 | 6 | 5 | 53 | 235 | 313 |

### Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes
| Player | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| Nathan Barrett | Lethbridge Hurricanes | 72 | 45 | 62 | 107 | 100 |
| Joffrey Lupul | Medicine Hat Tigers | 72 | 56 | 50 | 106 | 95 |
| Eric Johansson | Tri-City Americans | 69 | 44 | 59 | 103 | 73 |
| Tyler Beechey | Kootenay/Calgary | 70 | 44 | 55 | 99 | 104 |
| Josef Balej | Portland Winter Hawks | 65 | 51 | 41 | 92 | 52 |
| Jeremy Jackson | Vancouver/Lethbridge | 71 | 38 | 53 | 91 | 91 |
| Mikhail Yakubov | Red Deer Rebels | 71 | 32 | 57 | 89 | 54 |
| Josh Olson | Portland Winter Hawks | 72 | 40 | 48 | 88 | 85 |
| Duncan Milroy | Swift Current/Kootenay | 64 | 45 | 42 | 87 | 44 |
| Justin Kelly | Saskatoon Blades | 72 | 39 | 47 | 86 | 47 |

### Goaltending leaders

Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties ; GA = Goals against; SO = Total shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average
| Player | Team | GP | Min | W | L | T | GA | SO | SV% | GAA |
| Cam Ward | Red Deer Rebels | 46 | 2695 | 30 | 11 | 4 | 102 | 1 | .911 | 2.27 |
| Josh Harding | Regina Pats | 42 | 3289 | 27 | 13 | 1 | 95 | 4 | .906 | 2.39 |
| Shane Bendera | Red Deer/Kelowna | 50 | 3030 | 24 | 15 | 11 | 125 | 1 | .912 | 2.47 |
| Barry Brust | Spokane Chiefs | 60 | 3542 | 28 | 21 | 10 | 152 | 1 | .912 | 2.57 |
| Billy Thompson | Prince George Cougars | 42 | 2378 | 20 | 17 | 2 | 108 | 2 | .913 | 2.72 |

## 2002 WHL Playoffs

| Conference Quarter-finals | Conference Quarter-finals | Conference Quarter-finals | | | Conference Semi-finals | Conference Semi-finals | Conference Semi-finals | Conference Finals | Conference Finals | Conference Finals | | WHL Championship | WHL Championship | WHL Championship |
| E1 | Brandon | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| E4 | Saskatoon | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| E4 | Saskatoon | 3 | | | C1 | Red Deer | 4 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | E3 | Moose Jaw | 2 | | | | | | | |
| E2 | Regina | 2 | | | E3 | Moose Jaw | 2 | | | | | | | |
| E3 | Moose Jaw | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| E3 | Moose Jaw | 4 | | | | | | E1 | Brandon | 3 | | | | |
| Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | E1 | Brandon | 3 | | | | |
| Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | Eastern | C1 | Red Deer | 4 | | | | |
| C1 | Red Deer | 4 | | | | | | | | | C1 | Red Deer | 4 | | | | |
| C4 | Lethbridge | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C4 | Lethbridge | 0 | | | E1 | Brandon | 4 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | C2 | Swift Current | 1 | | | | | | | |
| C2 | Swift Current | 4 | | | C2 | Swift Current | 1 | | | | | | | |
| C3 | Calgary | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| C3 | Calgary | 3 | | | | | | | | | | C1 | Red Deer | 2 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | B2 | Kootenay Ice | 4 |
| B1 | Kamloops | 0 | | | | | | | | | | | | | B2 | Kootenay Ice | 4 |
| B4 | Kelowna | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| B4 | Kelowna | 4 | | | B2 | Kootenay | 4 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | U4 | Seattle | 0 | | | | | | | |
| B2 | Kootenay | 4 | | | U4 | Seattle | 0 | | | | | | | |
| B3 | Prince George | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| B3 | Prince George | 3 | | | | | | B2 | Kootenay | 4 | | | | |
| Western | Western | Western | Western | Western | Western | Western | Western | B2 | Kootenay | 4 | | | | |
| Western | Western | Western | Western | Western | Western | Western | Western | B4 | Kelowna | 1 | | | | |
| U1 | Portland | 3 | | | | | | | | | B4 | Kelowna | 1 | | | | |
| U4 | Seattle | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U4 | Seattle | 4 | | | U2 | Spokane | 2 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | B4 | Kelowna | 4 | | | | | | | |
| U2 | Spokane | 4 | | | B4 | Kelowna | 4 | | | | | | | |
| U3 | Tri-City | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | |

### Conference quarterfinals
#### Eastern Conference

Brandon vs. Saskatoon :
| Date | Away | Home |
| March 23 | Brandon 1 | 2 Saskatoon | OT |
| March 24 | Brandon 2 | 0 Saskatoon |
| March 26 | Saskatoon 1 | 3 Brandon |
| March 27 | Saskatoon 2 | 1 Brandon | 2OT |
| March 31 | Brandon 2 | 3 Saskatoon | OT |
| April 2 | Saskatoon 1 | 4 Brandon |
| April 3 | Saskatoon 1 | 2 Brandon |
| Brandon wins series 4–3 ||||
Regina vs. Moose Jaw :
| Date | Away | Home |
| March 22 | Moose Jaw 3 | 2 Regina | OT |
| March 23 | Moose Jaw 3 | 5 Regina |
| March 26 | Regina 2 | 1 Moose Jaw |
| March 27 | Regina 1 | 3 Moose Jaw |
| March 29 | Moose Jaw 2 | 1 Regina |
| March 31 | Regina 2 | 5 Moose Jaw |
| Moose Jaw wins series 4–2 ||||
Red Deer vs. Lethbridge :
| Date | Away | Home |
| March 22 | Lethbridge 2 | 4 Red Deer |
| March 23 | Lethbridge 3 | 5 Red Deer |
| March 26 | Red Deer 5 | 2 Lethbridge |
| March 27 | Red Deer 3 | 2 Lethbridge |
| Red Deer wins series 4–0 ||||
Swift Current vs. Calgary :
| Date | Away | Home |
| March 22 | Calgary 4 | 2 Swift Current |
| March 23 | Calgary 2 | 4 Swift Current |
| March 26 | Swift Current 5 | 1 Calgary |
| March 27 | Swift Current 1 | 3 Calgary |
| March 29 | Calgary 4 | 5 Swift Current |
| March 31 | Swift Current 2 | 5 Calgary |
| April 2 | Calgary 1 | 3 Swift Current |
| Swift Current wins series 4–3 ||||

#### Western Conference

Kamloops vs. Kelowna :
| Date | Away | Home |
| March 22 | Kelowna 4 | 1 Kamloops |
| March 23 | Kelowna 3 | 0 Kamloops |
| March 27 | Kamloops 2 | 4 Kelowna |
| March 28 | Kamloops 1 | 3 Kelowna |
| Kelowna wins series 4–0 ||||
Kootenay vs. Prince George :
| Date | Away | Home |
| March 22 | Prince George 4 | 1 Kootenay |
| March 23 | Prince George 3 | 1 Kootenay |
| March 26 | Kootenay 6 | 0 Prince George |
| March 27 | Kootenay 4 | 2 Prince George |
| March 29 | Kootenay 5 | 3 Prince George |
| April 1 | Prince George 6 | 3 Kootenay |
| April 2 | Prince George 1 | 5 Kootenay |
| Kootenay wins series 4–3 ||||
Portland vs. Seattle :
| Date | Away | Home |
| March 22 | Seattle 3 | 4 Portland |
| March 23 | Seattle 6 | 2 Portland |
| March 26 | Portland 2 | 3 Seattle |
| March 28 | Portland 3 | 2 Seattle |
| March 29 | Seattle 1 | 0 Portland |
| March 30 | Portland 4 | 0 Seattle |
| April 2 | Seattle 3 | 2 Portland |
| Seattle wins series 4–3 ||||
Spokane vs. Tri-City :
| Date | Away | Home |
| March 22 | Tri-City 1 | 4 Spokane |
| March 23 | Tri-City 3 | 7 Spokane |
| March 27 | Spokane 2 | 1 Tri-City |
| March 29 | Spokane 2 | 3 Tri-City | OT |
| March 30 | Tri-City 1 | Spokane 2 | OT |
| Spokane wins series 4–1 ||||

### Conference semifinals

Eastern Conference :
Red Deer vs. Moose Jaw :
| Date | Away | Home |
| April 5 | Moose Jaw 4 | 0 Red Deer |
| April 6 | Moose Jaw 3 | 5 Red Deer |
| April 9 | Red Deer 2 | 3 Moose Jaw | OT |
| April 10 | Red Deer 2 | 1 Moose Jaw | OT |
| April 12 | Moose Jaw 0 | 6 Red Deer |
| April 14 | Red Deer 4 | 2 Moose Jaw |
| Red Deer wins series 4–2 ||||
Swift Current vs. Brandon :
| Date | Away | Home |
| April 5 | Brandon 2 | 3 Swift Current |
| April 6 | Brandon 3 | 2 Swift Current | OT |
| April 9 | Swift Current 1 | 4 Brandon |
| April 10 | Swift Current 3 | 4 Brandon | OT |
| April 12 | Brandon 4 | 3 Swift Current |
| Brandon wins series 4–1 ||||
Western Conference :
Kootenay vs Seattle :
| Date | Away | Home |
| April 5 | Seattle 1 | 3 Kootenay |
| April 6 | Seattle 1 | 7 Kootenay |
| April 9 | Kootenay 5 | 2 Seattle |
| April 11 | Kootenay 5 | 3 Seattle |
| Kootenay wins series 4–0 ||||
Spokane vs. Kelowna :
| Date | Away | Home |
| April 5 | Kelowna 2 | 3 Spokane |
| April 7 | Spokane 3 | 2 Kelowna | OT |
| April 8 | Spokane 1 | 2 Kelowna |
| April 10 | Kelowna 8 | 2 Spokane |
| April 11 | Kelowna 2 | 1 Spokane | 2OT |
| April 13 | Spokane 0 | 2 Kelowna |
| Kelowna wins series 4–2 ||||

### Conference finals

| Eastern Conference | Western Conference |
| Red Deer vs. Brandon DateAwayHome April 19Brandon 21 Red DeerOT April 20Brandon 24 Red Deer April 23Red Deer 45 Brandon2OT April 24Red Deer 25 Brandon April 26Brandon 04 Red Deer April 28Red Deer 32 Brandon2OT April 30Brandon 25 Red Deer Red Deer wins series 4–3 | Kootenay vs. Kelowna DateAwayHome April 19Kelowna 23 Kootenay April 20Kelowna 45 Kootenay April 23Kootenay 15 Kelowna April 24Kootenay 42 Kelowna April 26Kelowna 03 Kootenay Kootenay wins series 4–1 |

### WHL Championship

Red Deer vs. Kootenay :
| Date | Away | Home |
| May 3 | Kootenay 2 | 1 Red Deer | OT |
| May 4 | Kootenay 1 | 2 Red Deer |
| May 7 | Red Deer 2 | 3 Kootenay | OT |
| May 8 | Red Deer 3 | 2 Kootenay |
| May 11 | Kootenay 4 | 3 Red Deer |
| May 13 | Red Deer 2 | 3 Kootenay | 2OT |
| Kootenay wins series 4–2 ||||

## All-Star games

On January 24, the WHL Eastern All-Stars were defeated by the OHL Western All-Stars 7–2 at Red Deer, Alberta before a crowd of 6,259.
On February 6, the WHL Western All-Stars defeated the QMJHL Dilio All-Stars 9–4 at Rimouski, Quebec before a crowd of 4,762.

## WHL awards

* Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (Player of the Year): Dan Hamhuis, Prince George Cougars
* Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy (Scholastic Player of the Year): Tyler Metcalfe, Seattle Thunderbirds
* Scholastic Team of the Year: Portland Winterhawks
* Bob Clarke Trophy (Top scorer): Nathan Barrett, Lethbridge Hurricanes
* Brad Hornung Trophy (Most Sportsmanlike Player): Ian White, Swift Current Broncos
* Bill Hunter Trophy (Top Defenseman): Dan Hamhuis, Prince George Cougars
* Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year): Braydon Coburn, Portland Winter Hawks
* Del Wilson Trophy (Top Goaltender): Cam Ward, Red Deer Rebels
* Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy (Coach of the Year): Bob Lowes, Regina Pats
* Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy (Executive of the Year): Brad McEwan, Swift Current Broncos
* Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy (Best regular season record): Red Deer Rebels
* Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy (Top Official): Kevin Acheson
* St. Clair Group Trophy (Marketing/Public Relations Award): Greg McConkey, Red Deer Rebels
* Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy (Humanitarian of the Year): Brandin Cote, Spokane Chiefs
* WHL Plus-Minus Award: Matt Hubbauer, Regina Pats
* WHL Playoff Most Valuable Player: Duncan Milroy, Kootenay Ice

## All-Star Teams

Eastern Conference :
| | First Team | First Team | Second Team | Second Team |
| Goal | Cam Ward | Red Deer Rebels | Josh Harding | Regina Pats |
| Defense | Filip Novak | Regina Pats | Ian White | Swift Current Broncos |
| Defense | Jay Bouwmeester | Medicine Hat Tigers | Jeff Woywitka | Red Deer Rebels |
| Forward | Joffrey Lupul | Medicine Hat Tigers | Matt Hubbauer | Regina Pats |
| Forward | Nathan Barrett | Lethbridge Hurricanes | Mikhail Yakubov | Red Deer Rebels |
| Forward | Tyler Beechey | Calgary Hitmen | Justin Kelly | Saskatoon Blades |
| Western Conference |||||
| | First Team | First Team | Second Team | Second Team |
| Goal | Barry Brust | Spokane Chiefs | Shane Bendera | Kelowna Rockets |
| Defense | Dan Hamhuis | Prince George Cougars | Craig Weller | Kootenay Ice |
| Defense | Kurt Sauer | Spokane Chiefs | Jesse Ferguson | Kelowna Rockets |
| Forward | Jarret Stoll | Kootenay Ice | Eric Johansson | Tri-City Americans |
| Forward | Jozef Balej | Portland Winter Hawks | Scottie Upshall | Kamloops Blazers |
| Forward | Jared Aulin | Kamloops Blazers | Marek Svatos | Kootenay Ice |
* source: Western Hockey League press release