Winnipeg ICE claim Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as 2021-22 WHL Regular Season Champions
Calgary, Alta. – For the second time in franchise history, the Winnipeg ICE are WHL Regular Season Champions.
The ICE clinched the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy on Sunday evening following an 8-2 victory over the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Recording a franchise-record 107 points and 51 victories, the ICE sit atop the WHL Regular Season mountain. This marks the first time since 2004-05 that the ICE have been named WHL Regular Season Champions. This is also the first season in franchise history the ICE have laid claim to the East Division title. Overall, the ICE franchise has two Division crowns.
With a record of 51-10-3-2 (107 points), the ICE represent the only WHL Club to reach the 50-win plateau this season. This is the third consecutive campaign in which the ICE have secured a record with a points percentage of .600 or better. This is also the ninth campaign in franchise history in which the ICE have notched at least 40 wins.
The ICE rattled off three impressive streaks throughout the campaign, including starting the season with 11 consecutive wins (October 1 through October 27). After dropping a 3-1 decision at Edmonton on October 29, the ICE returned to their winning ways, going 11-0-1-0 from October 30 through December 3. Finally, with the playoff push in full force, the ICE went 15-0-1-1 from February 27 through April 1.
Individually, it’s NHL Draft-eligible rookie Matthew Savoie who is enjoying a breakout campaign to lead the ICE offensively. The 17-year-old product of St. Albert, Alta., has collected 87 points (34G-53A) in 63 games to lead his team in scoring. Conor Geekie (23G-45A–68pts) – another projected first-round selection in the 2022 NHL Draft – is fourth in team scoring and one of seven ICE players to have surpassed the 60-point plateau.
Philadelphia Flyers prospect Connor McClennon (42G-36A) hit the 40-goal mark for the first time in his four WHL seasons, while NHL Draft-eligible Mikey Milne has posted 78 points (36G-42A) in 65 games.
Between the pipes, 17-year-old Daniel Hauser took the Canadian Hockey League by storm, setting a WHL and CHL record for games started in a career without a regulation loss. The product of Chestermere, Alta., strung together an impressive run of 20-0-2-0 to start his WHL career, dating back to March 15, 2021. Hauser carried the mail for the ICE for the bulk of the campaign, going 32-3-1-0 with eight shutouts, a 1.97 goals-against average, and a .915 save percentage.
A roster laden with NHL prospects saw key contributions from the likes of mid-season acquisition Jack Finley (26G-20A–46 points, Tampa Bay Lightning), defenceman Carson Lambos (10G-35A–45 points, Minnesota Wild), and goaltender Gage Alexander (18-7-2-2, 2.40, .911, Anaheim Ducks).
Heading into the final week of the 2021-22 WHL Regular Season, the ICE represent both the strongest offensive outfit as well as the stingiest defensive unit in the WHL. The ICE sit first in goals for with 305 while having allowed the fewest goals against (147) of any WHL Club this season. The ICE serve as the only WHL Club this season to have allowed fewer than 170 goals against.
Winnipeg’s home cooking was tasty, with the ICE boasting a record of 27-3-1-1 at Wayne Fleming Arena. Away from home, the ICE have gone 24-7-2-1.
On the bench, longtime NHL defenceman James Patrick continued to guide his Club to success, while General Manager Matt Cockell pulled together all the right pieces for Patrick and his coaching staff to put on the ice.
The 2018-19 Prince Albert Raiders represent the last East Division Club to claim the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy. The Raiders went on to also win the WHL Championship Series in May 2019.
Having earned the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy as WHL Regular Season champions, the Winnipeg ICE will finish first in the WHL’s Eastern Conference. They await confirmation of their first-round opponent for the 2022 WHL Playoffs, which are scheduled to begin Thursday, April 21.
The 2022 WHL Playoffs precede the 2022 Memorial Cup presented by Kia, which is slated to be hosted by the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs from June 20-29, 2022.
About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 375 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.
