WHL ANNOUNCES TOP 125 PLAYERS
Calgary, AB – The Western Hockey League unveiled today its list of the top 125 players in WHL history as selected by a committee of League historians.
The list includes WHL greats from the League’s inception in 1966 through to players that suited up as recently as last season. In total, 88 forwards, 27 defencemen, and 10 goaltenders made the list. Players were selected based on a combination of the impact they had while playing in the WHL and their careers upon graduating from the League.
Among the players selected were thirteen former members of the Brandon Wheat Kings, including four members of the 1979 Western Hockey League Championship club – defenceman Brad McCrimmon and the high scoring forward line of Laurie Bochman, Ray Allison and Brian Propp, who is the hockey club’s all time leading scorer with 511 points, including 219 goals.
Others named include goaltenders Glen Hanlon and Trevor Kidd, defenceman Wade Redden and forwards Bill Derlago, Brayden Schenn, Eric Fehr, Marty Murray, Ray Ferraro and Ron Chipperfield.
Hanlon currently holds two club career records – Most Games Played (172) and Minutes Played (9,805).
While Ferraro holds the WHL Single Season goal scoring record with 108 (1983-84), Minnedosa’s Chipperfield scored more goals than anyone in franchise history, with 261.
As a part of the WHL’s 50th Season celebrations, fans will be able to have their say in October alongside the committee by way of an online vote available at www.WHL.ca. Beginning in January, the WHL will count down and release the Top 50 WHL Players of All-Time.
Ray Allison 188-288-476
Laurie Boschman 108-140-248
Ron Chipperfield 261-209-470
Bill Derlago 234-203-437
Eric Fehr 146-131-277
Ray Ferraro 149-133-282
Glen Hanlon 172GP 9805MP 3.70 Ave. 8 SO
Brad McCrimmon 61-218-279
Marty Murray 132-260-392
Brian Propp 219-292-511
Wade Redden 27-126-153
Trevor Kidd 125GP 6915MP 4.10 Ave 2SO
Brayden Schenn 116-199-315
Of the Wheat Kings chosen, seven are native Manitobans – Chipperfield (Minnedosa), Murray (Lyleton), Derlago (Birtle), Fehr (Winkler), Kidd (Dugald) as well as local products Hanlon and Boschman.
Joining Hanlon and Boschman as Brandon natives on the list is former Kamloops Jr. Oiler Dean Evason.
Other Manitobans selected were Flin Flon’s Bob Clarke and Ray Martyniuk, Foxwarren’s Pat Falloon, St. Malo’s Dan Lambert, Reggie Leach of Riverton as well as Winnipeggers Nigel Dawes, Dale Derkatch, Cody Eakin, Brenden Shinnimin and Duncan Keith.
The committee was comprised of members of the media and individuals who have demonstrated long-standing contributions to the WHL, along with members the WHL Office staff. The WHL would like to thank Gregg Drinnan, Norm Dueck, Peter Loubardias, Bob Ridley, Dan Russell, Rob Vanstone, Dean Vrooman and Bill Willms for their assistance with this project.
For a complete list of the 125 players visit www.whl.ca
