WHL Western Hockey League

WHL Launches 2012 WHL Playoffs

Published on March 22, 2012 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


CALGARY, AB - Ron Robison, Commissioner of the Western Hockey League, officially launched the 2012 WHL Playoffs at a League-wide media conference in Kamloops, B.C. earlier today. The 2012 WHL Playoffs and the road to the Ed Chynoweth Cup begins tonight in Calgary as the Hitmen meet the Brandon Wheat Kings, with the remaining first round series scheduled to open on Friday, March 23rd.

"This is the most exciting time of the season for WHL fans as we get set to open the 2012 WHL Playoffs," commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. "We have some great first round match-ups and based on how competitive the regular season was, we can expect the WHL Playoffs will feature many series that may go seven games."

The WHL's Eastern and Western Conferences will use a Conference playoff format for the 2012 WHL Playoffs. The first place teams in the two Divisions, in each Conference, will receive the top two playoff seeds based on regular season points. The next six Clubs in each Conference, based on regular season points, will receive the 3rd - 8th playoff positions. The Clubs will be paired 1 - 8, 2 - 7, 3 - 6, and 4 - 5 in a best-of-seven series. The first place Clubs in each Division will only be guaranteed the top two playoff seeds in the first round.

The Husky WHL Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals will feature the WHL Regular Season Champion Edmonton Oil Kings (1) facing the defending WHL Champion Kootenay Ice (8), the Moose Jaw Warriors (2) taking on their rival the Regina Pats (7), the Calgary Hitmen (3) match up with the Brandon Wheat Kings (6), and the Medicine Hat Tigers (4) opening up against the Saskatoon Blades (5). In the Kal Tire WHL Western Conference Quarter-Finals the Tri-City Americans (1) will open up their playoff run with the Everett Silvertips (8), the Kamloops Blazers (2) will face off against the Victoria Royals (7), the Portland Winterhawks (3) will take on the Kelowna Rockets (6) while the Vancouver Giants (4) are set to face the Spokane Chiefs (5).

The WHL's Prestige Partners Kal Tire and Husky will be presenting sponsors of the 2012 WHL Playoffs and title sponsors of the HUSKY WHL Eastern Conference and Kal Tire Western Conference Championships. As presenting sponsors of the WHL Playoffs, Husky and Kal Tire brands will be featured prominently in all western Canadian playoff venues during all four rounds of the 2012 WHL Playoffs.

The WHL is also pleased to announce that SHAW TV will continue to provide extensive coverage of the WHL Playoffs by broadcasting an entire playoff series in each of the four rounds en route to the Ed Chynoweth Cup. SHAW TV will kick off their 2012 WHL Playoff coverage featuring the 2012 WHL B.C. Division Champion Kamloops Blazers (2) squaring off in a best-of-seven series with the Victoria Royals (7). The series begins this Friday, March 23rd at 7:00pm PT at the Interior Savings Centre in Kamloops and can be seen LIVE on SHAW and SHAW Direct Channel 299.

WHL Live webcasts will also cover the entire 2012 WHL Playoffs with the WHL's digital media partner Neulion. All games will be available via webcast on the WHL Live website providing WHL fans the opportunity to watch their favorite Club from anywhere in the world.

The Western Hockey League will host the 2012 WHL Awards Luncheon and Bantam Draft at the Deerfoot Inn in Calgary, Alberta this year. The WHL Awards Luncheon, held annually to recognize the WHL's best performers from the regular season, will be held on Wednesday, May 2nd, while the annual WHL Bantam Draft will take place on Thursday, May 3rd.

The QMJHL and the City of Shawinigan, QC will serve as the official hosts for the 2012 MasterCard Memorial Cup. The Shawinigan Cataractes will host the WHL Champions, Ontario Hockey League Champions and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Champions from May 18 - 27, 2012.

The WHL wishes to acknowledge our Prestige Partners Kal Tire and Husky for their continued support of the Western Hockey League. The WHL would also like to extend appreciation to our official partners RE/MAX, BMO, Sandman Hotels, Jack Link's, Subway, Delissio, Dickies, Home Hardware, Dodge and Old Dutch.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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