1960s

1966: League begins play as the Western Canada Junior Hockey League with seven teams: Calgary Buffaloes, Edmonton Oil Kings, Estevan Bruins, Moose Jaw Canucks, Regina Pats, Saskatoon Blades, and Weyburn Red Wings.
1967: Calgary Buffaloes become the Calgary Centennials. The Brandon Wheat Kings, Flin Flon Bombers, Swift Current Broncos and Winnipeg Jets join the League.
1968: League shortens its name to Western Canada Hockey League. Moose Jaw Canucks, Regina Pats and Weyburn Red Wings leave the League. The remaining eight teams break into two divisions: East (Brandon, Estevan, Flin Flon, Winnipeg,); West (Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Swift Current).
1969: WHL Champion Flin Flon Bombers sweep best-of-7 "National Championship" series against Western Ontario Junior A Hockey League Champion St. Thomas Barons. Series starred Bobby Clarke for Flin Flon and Ken Murray for St. Thomas. The Championship was not sanctioned by the CAHA and game four was forfeited during the second period by St. Thomas due to violent play. The series was a glaring mismatch.

1970s

1970: Regina Pats return to the League and play in the Eastern Division; Medicine Hat Tigers are granted a franchise to play out of the Western Division.
1971: Estevan Bruins move to New Westminster, and play in the Western Division. Victoria Cougars, and Vancouver Nats granted franchises, both play in the Western Division. Swift Current and Saskatoon move to the Eastern Division.
1972: All WHL Divisions remain the same.
1973: Vancouver Nats move to Kamloops and become the Kamloops Chiefs; Winnipeg Jets become Winnipeg Clubs.
1974: Swift Current Broncos move to Lethbridge and remain the Broncos.
1975: All WHL Divisions remain the same.
1976: Edmonton Oil Kings move to Portland and become the Portland Winter Hawks. Winnipeg Clubs become Winnipeg Monarchs. League splits into three divisions: East (Brandon, Saskatoon, Flin Flon, Regina); Central (Medicine Hat, Winnipeg, Lethbridge, Calgary); West (New Westminster, Kamloops, Portland, Victoria).
1977: Calgary Centennials move to Billings to become the Billings Bighorns. Winnipeg Monarchs move to Calgary and become the Calgary Wranglers. Kamloops Chiefs move to Seattle and become the Breakers and remain in the Western Division.
1978: The WCHL becomes the Western Hockey League. Flin Flon Bombers move to Edmonton to become the second incarnation of the Edmonton Oil Kings.
1979: Edmonton Oil Kings move to Great Falls to become the Great Falls Americans; they would fold on December 16 after playing 28 games. The WHL shrinks back into two divisions: West (Portland, Victoria, Seattle, New Westminster) and East (Regina, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Billings, Brandon, Lethbridge, Saskatoon, Great Falls)

1980s

1980: Winnipeg Warriors granted a franchise and play in the East Division. Spokane Flyers granted a franchise and play in the West Division.
1981: New Westminster Bruins move to Kamloops and become the Kamloops Junior Oilers. Spokane Flyers fold on December 2 after playing 26 games.
1982: Billings Bighorns move to Nanaimo and become the Nanaimo Islanders. Prince Albert Raiders and Kelowna Wings are granted franchises. Prince Albert plays in the East Division, Kelowna in the West.
1983: Nanaimo Islanders move to New Westminster and become the 2nd incarnation of the New Westminster Bruins.
1984: Winnipeg Warriors become the Moose Jaw Warriors. Kamloops Junior Oilers become the Kamloops Blazers.
1985: Kelowna Wings move to Spokane and become the Spokane Chiefs. Seattle Breakers become Seattle Thunderbirds.
1986: Lethbridge Broncos return to Swift Current and remain the Broncos.
1987: Calgary Wranglers move to Lethbridge to become the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
1988: New Westminster Bruins move to Tri-Cities and become the Tri-City Americans.
1989: All WHL Divisions remain the same.

1990s

1990: All WHL Divisions remain the same.
1991: Tacoma Rockets granted a franchise and play in the Western Division.
1992: Red Deer Rebels granted a franchise and play in the Eastern Division.
1993: All WHL Divisions remain the same.
1994: Victoria Cougars move to Prince George and become the Prince George Cougars.
1995: Calgary Hitmen are granted a franchise. Tacoma Rockets move to Kelowna and become the Kelowna Rockets. WHL divides into three divisions: West (Spokane, Tri-Cities, Kelowna, Seattle, Kamloops, Portland, Prince George), Central (Swift Current, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Calgary), and East (Brandon, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw).
1996: Edmonton Ice are granted a franchise, and play in the Central Division. Swift Current moves to the East Division.
1997: All WHL Divisions remain the same.
1998: Edmonton Ice move to Cranbrook and become the Kootenay Ice.
1999: All WHL Divisions remain the same.

2000s

2000: All WHL Divisions remain the same.
2001: Vancouver Giants granted a franchise. WHL divides into two conferences of two divisions each: Eastern Conference: East Division (Brandon, Regina, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, Prince Albert); Central Division (Red Deer, Swift Current, Lethbridge, Calgary, Medicine Hat); Western Conference: British Columbia Division (Kamloops, Kootenay, Prince George, Kelowna, Vancouver); United States Division (Portland, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Seattle).
2002: All WHL Divisions remain the same.
2003: Everett Silvertips are granted a franchise and play in the United States Division.
2004: All WHL Divisions remain the same.
2005: All WHL Divisions remain the same.
2006: Chlliwack Bruins are granted a franchise and play in the British Columbia Division. The Swift Current Broncos move into the East Division while the Kootenay Ice move into the Central Division.
2007: Edmonton Oil Kings are granted a franchise and play in the Central Division. This gives the Eastern Conference 12 Clubs, six in each of the Central and East Divisions, and the Western Conference remains with 10 Clubs, five in each of the B.C. and U.S. Divisions.