About the Memorial Cup
One of the oldest and most prestigious trophies in all of organized sport is the Memorial Cup. Originally donated and still honoring Canada's war dead, the championship trophy came to recognize the nation's Major Junior Champion through a tournament format for the first time in 1971.
Each year since, the Canadian Hockey League has brought together its three league champions, and now also a host team, to compete for the title in a nine-day round robin and playoff tournament.
The three member leagues - WHL, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey Leagues - take turns hosting the event which draws fans from across Canada and the United States.
In its 90 year history, only seven teams have won the Memorial Cup in back to back years. Three of those teams come from the Western Hockey League: New Westminster (1977, 1978), Medicine Hat (1987, 1988), Kamloops Blazers (1994, 1995).
WHL Memorial Cup Champions
2008 - Spokane Chiefs
2007 - Vancouver Giants
2004 - Kelowna Rockets
2002 - Kootenay Ice
2001 - Red Deer Rebels
1998 - Portland Winter Hawks
1995 - Kamloops Blazers
1994 - Kamloops Blazers
1992 - Kamloops Blazers
1991 - Spokane Chiefs
1989 - Swift Current Broncos
1988 - Medicine Hat Tigers
1987 - Medicine Hat Tigers
1985 - Prince Albert Raiders
1983 - Portland Winter Hawks
1978 - New Westminster Bruins
1977 - New Westminster Bruins
1974 - Regina Pats
The WHL's record in the Memorial Cup is proof positive that the WHL is the best developmental ground for improving players' hockey skills against the best available opposition.
