1965–66 WHL season

The 1965–66 WHL season was the fourteenth season of the Western Hockey League. Six teams played a 72-game schedule, and the Victoria Maple Leafs were the Lester Patrick Cup champions, defeating the as Portland Buckaroos four games to three in the final series.[1]

1965–66 WHL season
League	Western Hockey League
Sport	Ice hockey
Number of games	72
Number of teams	6
Regular season
Season champions	Portland Buckaroos
Season MVP	Billy McNeill (Vancouver)
Top scorer	Cliff Schmautz (Portland)
Lester Patrick Cup
Champions	Victoria Maple Leafs
Runners-up	Portland Buckaroos

Billy McNeill of Vancouver was named the most valuable player, while Cliff Schmautz of Portland led the league in scoring.[2]

Final Standings

Coast Division Standings[1]

R	Team	GP	W	L	T	GF	GA	Pts
1	Portland Buckaroos	72	43	24	5	271	218	91
2	Victoria Maple Leafs	72	40	28	4	260	243	84
3	Vancouver Canucks	72	33	35	4	252	233	70
4	San Francisco Seals	72	32	36	4	243	248	68
5	Seattle Totems	72	32	37	3	231	256	67
6	Los Angeles Blades	72	22	48	2	236	329	46

bold - qualified for playoffs

Playoffs

	Semifinals					Finals
	1	Portland Buckaroos	4
	3	Vancouver Canucks	3
						1	Portland Buckaroos	3
						2	Victoria Maple Leafs	4
	2	Victoria Maple Leafs	4
	4	San Francisco Seals	3

The Victoria Maple Leafs defeated the Portland Buckaroos 4 games to 3 to win the Lester Patrick Cup.[1]

References

1. Stott 2008, p. 241
2. Stott 2008, p. 145

Bibliography

• Stott, Jon C. (2008), Ice Warriors: The Pacific Coast/Western Hockey League 1948–1974, Surrey, British Columbia: Heritage House Publishing, ISBN 978-1-894974-54-7