Ed Chynoweth Cup
During the 2007 Memorial Cup Championship, the Western Hockey League announced that the WHL Championship Trophy will be renamed the Ed Chynoweth Cup, after former WHL President Mr. Ed Chynoweth. The WHL Championship trophy, previously referred to as the Presidents Cup, will be presented annually to the WHL Champions commencing with the 2007-2008 season.
Born in Dodsland, Saskatchewan, Chynoweth was the driving force behind the growth and development of Major Junior Hockey throughout Canada over the past four decades. Chynoweth's career in both the WHL and the Canadian Hockey League spanned 37 years. He was appointed President of the WHL in 1972 and held that position for 23 years before becoming the majority owner of a WHL expansion franchise in Edmonton in 1996. The franchise relocated to Cranbrook, British Columbia in 1998.
Chynoweth also played a major role in the game at the national level, serving as President of the CHL for 20 years from 1975 - 1995. During his tenure as CHL President, Chynoweth was instrumental in forming the partnership between CHL and Hockey Canada in 1981 to oversee Canada's National Junior Hockey Team. The Hockey Canada and CHL partnership led to the formation of Hockey Canada's Program of Excellence and Canada's dominance in International Hockey at the junior level.
Chynoweth, the WHL Chairman of the Board until his passing, has served in this capacity on two separate occasions since 1996 and also has served as a member of the CHL Board of Directors.
As President of the Kootenay Ice, Chynoweth together with his son Jeff, who is Vice-President and General Manager, have operated one of the most successful franchises in the WHL, having recorded the top winning percentage in the WHL over the past 10 years. The Kootenay Ice captured the WHL Championship twice in 2000 and 2002, and went on to win the Memorial Cup National Championship in Guelph in 2002.
Ed's son Dean was a defenseman with the Medicine Hat Tigers when they won back to back Memorial Cup Championships in 1987 and 1988. In his capacity as CHL President in 1988, Ed had the privilege of presenting his son Dean, as Captain of the Tigers, the Memorial Cup. Dean is enjoying a successful WHL career currently serving as General Manager and Head Coach of the Swift Current Broncos.
WHL Champions and recipients of 'The Ed Chynoweth Cup'2009 - Kelowna Rockets*
2008 - Spokane Chiefs*
2007 - Medicine Hat Tigers
2006 - Vancouver Giants
2005 - Kelowna Rockets
2004 - Medicine Hat Tigers
2003 - Kelowna Rockets**
2002 - Kootenay Ice*
2001 - Red Deer Rebels*
2000 - Kootenay Ice
1999 - Calgary Hitmen
1998 - Portland Winter Hawks*
1997 - Lethbridge Hurricanes
1996 - Brandon Wheat Kings
1995 - Kamloops Blazers*
1994 - Kamloops Blazers*
1993 - Swift Current Broncos
1992 - Kamloops Blazers*
1991 - Spokane Chiefs*
1990 - Kamloops Blazers
1989 - Swift Current Broncos*
1988 - Medicine Hat Tigers *
1987 - Medicine Hat Tigers*
1986 - Kamloops Blazers
1985 - Prince Albert Raiders*
1984 - Kamloops Jr. Oilers
1983 - Lethbridge Broncos
1982 - Portland Winter Hawks
1981 - Victoria Cougars
1980 - Regina Pats
1979 - Brandon Wheat Kings
1978 - New Westminster Bruins*
1977 - New Westminster Bruins*
1976 - New Westminster Bruins
1975 - New Westminster Bruins
1974 - Regina Pats*
1973 - Medicine Hat Tigers
1972 - Edmonton Oil Kings
1971 - Edmonton Oil Kings
1970 - Flin Flon Bombers
1969 - Flin Flon Bombers
1968 - Estevan Bruins
1967 - Moose Jaw Canucks
*Won Memorial Cup
**Kelowna won Memorial Cup as tournament host
