Three Former Vernon Junior Hockey Players Named WHL Top 125:

The Western Hockey League unveiled its list of top 125 players in WHL history as selected by a committee of League historians. Three former Vernon Junior hockey players were selected. Former Vernon Essos forward Dave "Tiger" Williams, former Vernon Essos-Vernon Vikings forward Don Murdoch & former Vernon Lakers forward Dennis Holland. 

Williams played one season in Vernon (1970-71) with the Essos also played three seasons (1971-74) with the Swift Current Broncos. Williams was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in Round 2 31st overall in the 1974 NHL Amateur Draft. Williams would play fourteen seasons in the NHL with five different teams (Toronto, Vancouver, Detroit, Los Angeles & Hartford). Williams was inducted into the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame in July.    

Dave "Tiger" Williams Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=52429

Murdoch played two seasons in Vernon (1972-1974) playing with the Vernon Essos & Vernon Vikings also played three seasons (1973-1976) with the Kamloops Chiefs & Medicine Hat Tigers. Murdoch was drafted by the New York Rangers in Round 1 6th overall in the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft.

Don Murdoch's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=3848

Holland played one season in Vernon (1985-86) with the Vernon Lakers also played three seasons (1986-1989) with the Portland Winterhawks. In 51 games with the Lakers Holland picked up (43-goals-62-assists-105-points). Holland was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in Round 3 52nd overall in the 1987 NHL Draft. 


Dennis Holland's Player Profile:

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=94291

This was posted on the WHL website:

WHL ANNOUNCES TOP 125 PLAYERS

Tue Sep 22

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.

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.

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.

This article takes up a full page, so I had to shorten the article.  In order to read the full story-article, click on the "read more" near the bottom left corner of this post.



Top 125 WHL Players (alphabetical order, last name first)

Last Name    First Name    P    Years Played    Hometown    Last WHL Team   Previous Team (if applicable)

Allison Ray F 1974-79 Cranbrook, BC Brandon Wheat Kings

Alzner Karl D 2003-08 Burnaby, BC Calgary Hitmen

Babych Wayne F 1973-78 Edmonton, AB Portland Winter Hawks-Edmonton Oil Kings

Barnes Stu F 1987-90 Spruce Grove, AB Tri-City Americans-New Westminster Bruins

Barrie Tyson D 2006-11 Victoria, BC Kelowna Rockets

Baumgartner Nolan D 1992-96 Calgary, AB Kamloops Blazers

Beck Barry D 1973-77 Vancouver, BC New Westminster Bruins-Kamloops Chiefs

Benn Jamie F 2007-09 Victoria, BC Kelowna Rockets

Benning Jim D 1978-81 Edmonton, AB Portland Winter Hawks

Bjorkstrand Oliver F 2012-15 Herning, Denmark Portland Winterhawks

Boschman Laurie F 1976-79 Major, SK Brandon Wheat Kings

Bouwmeester Jay D 1998-02 Edmonton, AB Medicine Hat Tigers

Brendl Pavel F 1998-01 Opocno, Czech Rep. Calgary Hitmen

Bridgman Mel F 1971-75 Trenton, ON Victoria Cougars

Brouwer Troy F 2001-06 Vancouver, BC Moose Jaw Warriors

Brown Rob F 1983-87 St. Albert, AB Kamloops Blazers

Callander Jock F 1978-82 Regina, SK Regina Pats

Chapman Blair F 1973-76 Lloydminster, SK Saskatoon Blades

Chipperfield Ron F 1970-74 Brandon, MB Brandon Wheat Kings

Clark Wendel D 1983-85 Kelvington, SK Saskatoon Blades

Clarke Bob F 1967-69 Flin Flon, MB Flin Flon Bombers

Davidson John G 1969-73 Calgary, AB Calgary Centennials

Dawes Nigel F 2001-05 Winnipeg, MB Kootenay ICE

Derkatch Dale F 1981-85 Winnipeg, MB Regina Pats

Derlago Bill F 1974-78 Birtle, MB Brandon Wheat Kings

Doan Shane F 1992-95 Halkirk, AB Kamloops Blazers

Draisaitl Leon F 2012-15 Cologne, Germany Kelowna Rockets-Prince Albert Raiders

Eakin Cody F 2006-11 Winnipeg, MB Kootenay ICE-Swift Current Broncos

Eberle Jordan F 2006-10 Regina, SK Regina Pats

Ennis Tyler F 2005-09 Edmonton, AB Medicine Hat Tigers

Etem Emerson F 2009-12 Long Beach, CA Medicine Hat Tigers

Evason Dean F 1980-84 Winnipeg, MB Kamloops Jr. Oilers-Spokane Chiefs

Falloon Pat F 1988-91 Foxwarren, MB Spokane Chiefs

Federko Bernie F 1973-76 Foam Lake, SK Saskatoon Blades

Fehr Eric F 2000-05 Winkler, MB Brandon Wheat Kings

Ferraro Ray F 1982-84 Trail, BC Brandon Wheat Kings-Portland Winter Hawks

Fleury Theoren F 1984-88 Oxbow, SK Moose Jaw Warriors

Fuhr Grant G 1979-81 Spruce Grove, AB Victoria Cougars

Gallagher Brendan F 2008-12 Delta, BC Vancouver Giants

Gare Danny F 1971-74 Nelson, BC Calgary Centennials

Getzlaf Ryan F 2001-05 Regina, SK Calgary Hitmen

Gillies Clark F 1971-74 Moose Jaw, SK Regina Pats

Goodall Glen F 1986-90 Fort Nelson, BC Seattle Thunderbirds

Hamhuis Dan D 1998-02 Smithers, BC Prince George Cougars

Hanlon Glen G 1974-77 Brandon, MB Brandon Wheat Kings

Hawgood Greg D 1983-88 Edmonton, AB Kamloops Blazers

Henning Lorne F 1968-72 Melfort, SK New Westminster Bruins-Estevan Bruins

Hodgson Dan F 1980-85 Fort McMurray, AB Prince Albert Raiders-Spokane Flyers

Holland Dennis F 1985-89 Vernon, BC Portland Winter Hawks

Hossa Marian F 1997-98 Stara Lubovna, Slovakia Portland Winter Hawks

Hrudey Kelly G 1978-81 Edmonton, AB Medicine Hat Tigers

Iginla Jarome F 1993-96 Edmonton, AB Kamloops Blazers

Johansen Ryan F 2009-11 Vancouver, BC Portland Winterhawks

Johnson Tyler F 2007-11 Spokane, WA Spokane Chiefs

Joly Greg D 1971-74 Rocky Mountain House, AB Regina Pats

Keith Duncan D 2002-03 Winnipeg, MB Kelowna Rockets

Kidd Trevor G 1988-91 Dugald, MB Spokane Chiefs-Brandon Wheat Kings

Kozun Brandon F 2006-10 Los Angeles, CA Calgary Hitmen

Ladd Andrew F 2001-05 Maple Ridge, BC Calgary Hitmen-Vancouver Giants

Lambert Dan D 1986-90 St. Boniface, MB Swift Current Broncos

Langkow Daymond F 1991-96 Edmonton, AB Tri-City Americans

Lazar Curtis F 2010-14 Salmon Arm, BC Edmonton Oil Kings

Leach Reggie F 1967-70 Riverton, MB Flin Flon Bombers

Linden Trevor F 1985-88 Medicine Hat, AB Medicine Hat Tigers

Lowry Adam F 2009-13 Calgary, AB Swift Current Broncos

Lucic Milan F 2004-07 Vancouver, BC Vancouver Giants

Lysiak Tom F 1970-73 High Prairie, AB Medicine Hat Tigers

Marleau Patrick F 1995-97 Swift Current, SK Seattle Thunderbirds

Martyniuk Ray G 1967-70 Flin Flon, MB Flin Flon Bombers

McCarthy Kevin D 1973-77 Winnipeg, MB Winnipeg Monarchs

McCrimmon Brad D 1976-79 Plenty, SK Brandon Wheat Kings

McDonald Lanny F 1970-73 Hanna, AB Medicine Hat Tigers-Calgary Centennials

Modano Mike F 1986-89 Livonia, MI Prince Albert Raiders

Moran Brad F 1995-00 Abbotsford, BC Calgary Hitmen

Mueller Peter F 2005-07 Bloomington, MN Everett Silvertips

Murdoch Don F 1973-76 Cranbrook, BC Medicine Hat Tigers-Kamloops Chiefs

Murray Marty F 1991-95 Lyleton, MB Brandon Wheat Kings

Myers Tyler D 2005-09 Calgary, AB Kelowna Rockets

Neely Cam F 1982-84 Comox, BC Portland Winter Hawks

Niedermayer Scott D 1989-92 Cranbrook, BC Kamloops Blazers

Nugent-Hopkins Ryan F 2008-11 Burnaby, BC Red Deer Rebels

Pederson Barry F 1977-81 Big River, SK Victoria Cougars

Petan Nic F 2010-15 Delta, BC Portland Winterhawks

Phaneuf Dion D 2001-05 Edmonton, AB Red Deer Rebels

Phillips Chris D 1995-97 Calgary, AB Lethbridge Hurricanes-Prince Albert Raiders

Pinder Gerry F 1966-67 Saskatoon, SK Saskatoon Blades

Pouliot Derrick D 2009-14 Estevan, SK Portland Winterhawks

Price Carey G 2002-07 Anahim Lake, BC Tri-City Americans

Propp Brian F 1976-79 Neudorf, SK Brandon Wheat Kings

Rattie Ty F 2008-13 Airdrie, AB Portland Winterhawks

Recchi Mark F 1984-88 Kamloops, BC Kamloops Blazers-New Westminster Bruins

Redden Wade D 1993-96 Lloydminster, SK Brandon Wheat Kings

Rielly Morgan D 2010-13 Vancouver, BC Moose Jaw Warriors

Reinhart Sam F 2010-15 North Vancouver, BC Kootenay ICE

Robinson Todd F 1994-99 Trail, BC Portland Winter Hawks

Rogers Mike F 1971-74 Calgary, AB Calgary Centennials

Ronning Cliff F 1983-85 Burnaby, BC New Westminster Bruins

Rota Darcy F 1970-73 Vancouver, BC Edmonton Oil Kings

Russell Kris D 2003-07 Caroline, AB Medicine Hat Tigers

Sakic Brian F 1987-92 Burnaby, BC Tri-City Americans-Swift Current Broncos

Sakic Joe F 1985-88 Burnaby, BC Swift Current Broncos-Lethbridge Broncos

Schenn Brayden F 2007-11 Saskatoon, SK Saskatoon Blades-Brandon Wheat Kings

Seabrook Brent D 2000-05 Richmond, BC Lethbridge Hurricanes

Shinnimin Brendan F 2007-12 Winnipeg, MB Tri-City Americans

Sillinger Mike F 1987-91 Regina, SK Regina Pats

Smyth Ryan F 1991-95 Banff, AB Moose Jaw Warriors

Sobchuk Dennis F 1970-74 Lang, SK Regina Pats-Estevan Bruins

Staniowski Ed G 1971-75 Moose Jaw, SK Regina Pats

Stoll Jarret F 1997-02 Melville, SK Kootenay ICE

Stuart Brad D 1995-99 Rocky Mountain House, AB Calgary Hitmen-Regina Pats

Sutter Brent F 1979-82 Viking, AB Lethbridge Broncos

Sutter Brian F 1974-76 Viking, AB Lethbridge Broncos

Sydor Darryl D 1988-92 Edmonton, AB Kamloops Blazers

Trottier Bryan F 1972-75 Val Marie, SK Lethbridge Broncos-Swift Current Broncos

Tsujiura Steve F 1977-82 Coaldale, AB Calgary Wranglers-Medicine Hat Tigers

Tucker Darcy F 1991-95 Castor, AB Kamloops Blazers

Vernon Mike G 1980-83 Calgary, AB Calgary Wranglers

Walter Ryan F 1973-78 New Westminster, BC Seattle Breakers-Kamloops Chiefs

Ward Cam G 2000-04 Saskatoon, SK Red Deer Rebels

Weber Shea D 2001-05 Sicamous, BC Kelowna Rockets

Wesley Glen D 1983-87 Red Deer, AB Portland Winter Hawks

Whitney Ray F 1988-91 Fort Saskatchewan, AB Spokane Chiefs

Wickenheiser Doug F 1977-80 Regina, SK Regina Pats

Williams Dave "Tiger" F 1971-74 Weyburn, SK Swift Current Broncos

Yaremchuk Ken F 1979-83 Edmonton, AB Portland Winter Hawks