WHL pre-season polls released
Published on September 23, 2005 under Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release
Calgary, Alberta -- The 2005-2006 Western Hockey League campaign is set to begin tonight on eight fronts including Brandon's Keystone Centre where the defending Eastern Conference Champion Wheat Kings will bring the curtain up against the visiting Regina Pats in the first of a 2-game weekend home and home series.
The start of a new season - the WHL's 40th Anniversary season - brings many predictions on who will win and who will struggle.
Here are pre-season predictions from WHL Coaches and General Managers, the Western Major Junior Hockey Writers Association and WHL Broadcasters:
COACHES / GM POLL:
Eastern Division;
1. Saskatoon Blades
2. Prince Albert Raiders
3. Brandon Wheat Kings
4. Moose Jaw Warriors
5. Regina Pats
Central Division;
1. Calgary Hitmen
2. Lethbridge Hurricanes
3. Medicine Hat Tigers
4. Red Deer Rebels
5. Swift Current Broncos
B.C. Division;
1. Kelowna Rockets
2. Vancouver Giants
3. Kootenay Ice
4. Kamloops Blazers
5. Prince George Cougars
U.S. Division;
1. Portland Winter Hawks
2. Everett Silvertips
3. Seattle Thunderbirds
4. Spokane Chiefs
5. Tri-City Americans
WESTERN MAJOR JUNIOR HOCKEY WRITERS:
1. Kelowna Rockets
2. Seattle Thunderbirds
3. Everett Silvertips
4. Portland Winter Hawks
5. Calgary Hitmen
6. Kamloops Blazers
7. Prince Albert Raiders
8. Lethbridge Hurricanes
9. Saskatoon Blades
10. Vancouver Giants
11. Red Deer Rebels
12. Moose Jaw Warriors
13. Brandon Wheat Kings
14. Prince George Cougars
15. Medicine Hat Tigers
16. Spokane Chiefs
17. Kootenay Ice
18. Tri-City Americans
19. Swift Current Broncos
20. Regina Pats
WHL BROADCASTERS:
Eastern Conference;
1. Prince Albert Raiders
2. Saskatoon Blades
3. Calgary Hitmen
4. Medicine Hat Tigers
5. Red Deer Rebels
6. Moose Jaw Warriors
7. Lethbridge Hurricanes
8. Brandon Wheat Kings
9. Swift Current Broncos
10. Regina Pats
Western Conference;
1. Kelowna Rockets
2. Portland Winter Hawks
3. Everett Silvertips
4. Vancouver Giants
5. Kootenay Ice
6. Seattle Thunderbirds
7. Kamloops Blazers
8. Spokane Chiefs
9. Tri-City Americans
10. Prince George Cougars
Western Hockey League Stories from September 23, 2005
- T-Birds win season opener - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Wheaties win opener - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Saskatchewan Player Development Model Moves Forward - Saskatoon Blades
- WHL pre-season polls released - WHL
- Silvertips Debut New Hockey Radio Show on Monday Night - Everett Silvertips
- Chiefs open Saturday - Spokane Chiefs
- Wheat Kings name veteran Moore captain - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Two ways to follow the Pats - Regina Pats
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.
