1996–97 CHL season

The 1996–97 CHL season was the fifth season of the Central Hockey League (CHL).
==Franchise changes==
*The league added the previously established Huntsville Channel Cats from the Southern Hockey League
*The league also added previously announced expansion teams; Columbus Cottonmouths, Macon Whoopee, and Nashville Nighthawks from the now defunct SHL
==Regular season==
=== Final Standings ===
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; SOL = Shootout loss; Pts = Points; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against
Eastern Division 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Huntsville Channel Cats	66	39	24	3	311	297	81
Macon Whoopee 	66	38	24	4	276	237	80
Memphis RiverKings 	66	35	27	4	278	260	74
Columbus Cottonmouths 	66	32	28	6	292	291	70
Nashville Nighthawks 	66	12	52	2	219	359	26
Western Division 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Oklahoma City Blazers	66	48	12	6 	307	200	102
Fort Worth Fire 	66	43	16	5 	279	210	95
Tulsa Oilers 	66	30	32	4 	286	284	64
Wichita Thunder 	66	25	31	10	279	324	60
San Antonio Iguanas 	66	26	36	4 	261	326	56
==Playoffs==
===Format===
The top four teams in each division qualify. The quarter round was best-of-five. The semifinal and final rounds were best-of-seven.
===Quarterfinals===
*Huntsville defeated Columbus, 3 games to none; 5-3, 8-3, 4-1
*Memphis defeated Macon, 3 games to 2; 3-6, 3-2, 2-3, 3-2 (ot), 3-2
*Fort Worth defeated Tulsa, 3 games to 2; 6-5, 3-4, 4-3, 1-6, 3-0
*Wichita defeated Oklahoma City, 3 games to 1; 1-4, 4-2, 3-2, 6-5 (ot)
===Semifinals===
*Fort Worth defeated Wichita, 4 games to 1; 4-2, 6-4, 3-4, 4-3, 5-4
*Memphis defeated Huntsville, 4 games to 2; 5-4 (ot), 6-4, 5-7, 3-5, 4-2, 4-3
===Final===
*Fort Worth defeated Memphis, 4 games to 3; 4-1, 5-6 (ot), 2-1, 0-4, 1-3, 4-3, 3-2
==CHL awards==
Ray Miron Cup: 	Fort Worth Fire
Adams Cup: 	Oklahoma City Blazers
Coach of the Year: 	Bill McDonald (Fort Worth)
Most Valuable Player: 	Trevor Jobe (Columbus)
Playoff Most Valuable Player:	Steve Plouffe (Fort Worth)
Most Outstanding Goaltender: 	Jean-Ian Filiatrault (Oklahoma City)
Most Outstanding Defenseman 	Hardy Sauter (Oklahoma City)
Rookie of the Year 	Cory Dosdall (Wichita)
Scoring Champion 	Trevor Jobe (Columbus)
==External links==
* 1996–97 CHL season at The Internet Hockey Database
Category:1997 in hockey
Category:Central Hockey League seasons