1997–98 WHL season


The 1997–98 WHL season was the 32nd season for the Western Hockey League. Eighteen teams completed a 72-game season. The Portland Winter Hawks won the President's Cup before going on to win the 1998 Memorial Cup.

Regular season

Final standings

East DivisionGPWLTPtsGFGA
x Regina Pats724621597334250
x Swift Current Broncos724419997276220
x Brandon Wheat Kings724521696322235
x Saskatoon Blades722539858263327
x Moose Jaw Warriors7223391056235281
Prince Albert Raiders722047545222288

Central DivisionGPWLTPtsGFGA
x Calgary Hitmen724028484265232
x Lethbridge Hurricanes7232291175261237
x Red Deer Rebels722740559281323
Edmonton Ice721749640242328
Medicine Hat Tigers721650638188340

West DivisionGPWLTPtsGFGA
x Portland Winter Hawks7253145111342203
x Spokane Chiefs724523494288235
x Prince George Cougars724324591311236
x Kamloops Blazers723732377234253
x Kelowna Rockets723335470313290
x Seattle Thunderbirds723135668286278
Tri-City Americans721749640264371

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes
PlayerTeamGPGAPtsPIM
Sergei VarlamovSwift Current Broncos726653119132
Cory CyrenneBrandon Wheat Kings72477111828
Ronald PetrovickyRegina Pats716449113178
Shane WillisLethbridge Hurricanes64585411273
Quinn HancockPrince George Cougars69545811231
Shawn McNeilRed Deer Rebels72476210969
Mark SmithLethbridge Hurricanes704267109206
Todd RobinsonPortland Winter Hawks71357410955
Jason DeleurmeKelowna Rockets72515210347
Brad MoranCalgary Hitmen72534910264

Goaltending leaders

Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties ; GA = Goals against; SO = Total shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average
PlayerTeamGPMinWLTGASOSV%GAA
Brent BeleckiPortland Winter Hawks513052351051312.9182.58
Terry FriesenSwift Current Broncos442640261071241.9072.82
Scott MyersPrince George Cougars482823291341392.9002.95
Alexandre FomitchevCalgary Hitmen603383322311681.8982.98
Ryan HoopleLethbridge/Regina583266341841644.8993.01

1998 WHL Playoffs

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Conference semifinals

Conference finals

WHL Championship

All-Star Game

On January 21, the Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference 7–6 at Regina, Saskatchewan before a crowd of 6,050.

WHL awards