1986–87 WHL season

The 1986–87 WHL season was the 21st season for the Western Hockey League. Fourteen teams completed a 72 game season. The Medicine Hat Tigers won the President's Cup before going on to also capture the Memorial Cup.

League notes

*The Lethbridge Broncos returned to Swift Current, Saskatchewan to become the Swift Current Broncos.
*On December 30, 1986, a bus crash involving the Swift Current Broncos caused the deaths of four players: Trent Kresse, Scott Kruger, Chris Mantyka and Brent Ruff. The WHL would later rename its Most Valuable Player award the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy in their honor.
*On March 1, 1987, Regina Pats player Brad Hornung was paralyzed during a game by a check. The WHL would later rename its Most Sportsmanlike Player award the Brad Hornung Trophy in his honor.

Regular season

Final standings

WHL Playoffs

First Round

*Medicine Hat earned a bye
*Saskatoon earned a bye
*Prince Albert defeated Swift Current 3 games to 1
*Moose Jaw defeated Regina 3 games to 0

Division Semi-finals

*Medicine Hat defeated Moose Jaw 4 games to 2
*Saskatoon defeated Prince Albert 4 games to 0

*Kamloops defeated Victoria 5 games to 0
*Portland defeated Spokane 5 games to 0

Division Finals

*Medicine Hat defeated Saskatoon 4 games to 3
*Portland defeated Kamloops 5 games to 3

WHL Championship

*Medicine Hat defeated Portland 4 games to 3

All-Star Game

On January 20, the East division defeated the West division 4–3 at Regina, Saskatchewan before a crowd of 3,652

WHL awards

*Note: For the 1986–87 season, the WHL handed out separate awards for the East and West divisions

ee also

*1987 Memorial Cup
*1987 NHL Entry Draft
*1986 in sports
*1987 in sports

References

* [http://www.whl.ca whl.ca]
* 2005–06 WHL Guide