View source for 2001–02 WHL season

{{short description|Junior ice hockey season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox sports season
| title = 2001–02 WHL season
| league = [[Western Hockey League]]
| sport = Ice hockey
| playoffs = Playoffs
| playoffs_MVP_link = WHL Playoff MVP
| playoffs_MVP = [[Duncan Milroy]] (Ice)
| finals_champ = [[Kootenay Ice]] (2)
| finals_runner-up = [[Red Deer Rebels]]
| no_of_teams = 19
| season = Regular season
| season_champ_name = [[Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy]]
| season_champs = [[Red Deer Rebels]] (2)
| MVP_link = Four Broncos Memorial Trophy
| MVP = [[Dan Hamhuis]] ([[Prince George Cougars]])
| top_scorer_link = Bob Clarke Trophy
| top_scorer = [[Nathan Barrett (ice hockey)|Nathan Barrett]] ([[Lethbridge Hurricanes]])
| seasonslistnames = WHL
| prevseason_year = [[2000–01 WHL season|2000–01]]
| nextseason_year = [[2002–03 WHL season|2002–03]]
}}
{{Infobox sports season
| title = 2001–02 CHL season
| color = #4B489D
| color_text = #FFFFFF
| league = [[Canadian Hockey League]]
| sport = Ice hockey
| no_of_teams = 55
| season = [[2001–02 OHL season|OHL]]
| season2 = [[2001–02 QMJHL season|QMJHL]]
| season3 = WHL
| playoffs = [[2002 Memorial Cup|Memorial Cup]]
| finals_champ = [[Kootenay Ice]] (WHL)
| num_championships = 1
| finals_runner-up = [[Victoriaville Tigres]] (QMJHL)
}}

The '''2001–02 WHL season''' was the 36th season of the [[Western Hockey League]] (WHL). The league expanded to nineteen teams with the addition of the [[Vancouver Giants]]. The [[Red Deer Rebels]] won their second consecutive [[Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy]] for posting the best regular season record; the Rebels also returned to the championship series for a second straight here. However, the [[Kootenay Ice]] defeated the Rebels to win their second [[Ed Chynoweth Cup|President's Cup]] and a berth in the [[2002 Memorial Cup]], where the Ice would win their first [[Memorial Cup]] title.

==League notes==
*The Vancouver Giants joined the WHL as its 19th franchise. This precipitated a new standings format, with the league moving from three divisions to four, divided into Eastern and Western Conferences. The [[Swift Current Broncos]] moved from the East to the Central division, and the Kootenay Ice movied from the Central to the new B.C. Division—the old West Division was divided into the B.C. and U.S. Divisions.
*The top four teams in each division qualified for the playoffs, with the caveat that the 5th place team in the B.C. Division could qualify in place of the 4th place team in the U.S. Division if they had a better record.

==Regular season==

===Final standings===

===Eastern Conference===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! width="45%" | East Division
! width="5%" | GP
! width="5%" | W
! width="5%" | L
! width="5%" | T
! width="5%" | OTL
! width="7.5%" | Pts
! width="7.5%" | GF
! width="7.5%" | GA
|-
| '''x [[Brandon Wheat Kings]]''' ||72 ||43 ||23 ||4 ||2 ||92 ||261 ||210
|-
| '''x [[Regina Pats]]''' ||72 ||40 ||20 ||4 ||8 ||92 ||252 ||192
|-
| '''x [[Moose Jaw Warriors]]''' ||72 ||30 ||34 ||6 ||2 ||68 ||226 ||239
|-
| '''x [[Saskatoon Blades]]''' ||72 ||27 ||37 ||5 ||3 ||62 ||216 ||257
|-
| '''[[Prince Albert Raiders]]''' ||72 ||26 ||41 ||2 ||3 ||57 ||234 ||324
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! width="45%" | Central Division
! width="5%" | GP
! width="5%" | W
! width="5%" | L
! width="5%" | T
! width="5%" | OTL
! width="7.5%" | Pts
! width="7.5%" | GF
! width="7.5%" | GA
|-
| '''x [[Red Deer Rebels]]'''||72 ||46 ||18 ||7 ||1 ||100 ||264 ||184
|-
| '''x [[Swift Current Broncos]]'''||72 ||42 ||17 ||6 ||7 ||97 ||274 ||218
|-
| '''x [[Calgary Hitmen]]'''||72 ||33 ||33 ||5 ||1 ||72 ||271 ||281
|-
| '''x [[Lethbridge Hurricanes]]'''||72 ||33 ||33 ||6 ||0 ||72 ||266 ||247
|-
| '''[[Medicine Hat Tigers]]'''||72 ||30 ||36 ||4 ||2 ||66 ||277 ||316
|-
|}

===Western Conference===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! width="45%" | B.C. Division
! width="5%" | GP
! width="5%" | W
! width="5%" | L
! width="5%" | T
! width="5%" | OTL
! width="7.5%" | Pts
! width="7.5%" | GF
! width="7.5%" | GA
|-
| '''x [[Kamloops Blazers]]''' ||72 ||38 ||25 ||5 ||4 ||85 ||263 ||230
|-
| '''x [[Kootenay Ice]]''' ||72 ||38 ||27  ||7 ||0 ||83 ||276 ||223
|-
| '''x [[Prince George Cougars]]''' ||72 ||34 ||27 ||9 ||2 ||79 ||244 ||215
|-
| '''x [[Kelowna Rockets]]''' ||72 ||31 ||26 ||10 ||5 ||77 ||257 ||232
|-
| '''[[Vancouver Giants]]''' ||72 ||13 ||49 ||6 ||4 ||36 ||198 ||365
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! width="45%" | U.S. Division
! width="5%" | GP
! width="5%" | W
! width="5%" | L
! width="5%" | T
! width="5%" | OTL
! width="7.5%" | Pts
! width="7.5%" | GF
! width="7.5%" | GA
|-
| '''x [[Portland Winter Hawks]]'''||72 ||36 ||25 ||5 ||6 ||83 ||269 ||243
|-
| '''x [[Spokane Chiefs]]'''||72 ||33 ||25 ||11 ||3 ||80 ||223  ||206
|-
| '''x [[Tri-City Americans]]'''||72 ||31 ||31 ||10 ||0 ||72 ||260 ||271
|-
| '''x [[Seattle Thunderbirds]]'''||72 ||21 ||40 ||6 ||5 ||53 ||235 ||313
|-
|}
{{clear}}
{{WHL team map 2001}}
{{clear}}

===Scoring leaders===
''Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalties in minutes''

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! width="30%" | Player
! width="30%" | Team
! width="7.5%" | GP
! width="7.5%" | G
! width="7.5%" | A
! width="7.5%" | Pts
! width="7.5%" | PIM
|-
| [[Nathan Barrett (ice hockey)|Nathan Barrett]] || [[Lethbridge Hurricanes]] || 72 || 45 || 62 || 107 || 100
|-
| [[Joffrey Lupul]] || [[Medicine Hat Tigers]] || 72 || 56 || 50 || 106 || 95
|-
| [[Eric Johansson (ice hockey)|Eric Johansson]] || [[Tri-City Americans]] || 69 || 44 || 59 || 103 || 73
|-
| [[Tyler Beechey]] || [[Kootenay Ice|Kootenay]]/[[Calgary Hitmen|Calgary]] || 70 || 44 || 55 || 99 || 104
|-
| [[Josef Balej]] || [[Portland Winter Hawks]] || 65 || 51 || 41 || 92 || 52
|-
| [[Jeremy Jackson (ice hockey)|Jeremy Jackson]] || [[Vancouver Giants|Vancouver]]/[[Lethbridge Hurricanes|Lethbridge]] || 71 || 38 || 53 || 91 || 91
|-
| [[Mikhail Yakubov]] || [[Red Deer Rebels]] || 71 || 32 || 57 || 89 || 54
|-
| [[Josh Olson (ice hockey)|Josh Olson]] || [[Portland Winter Hawks]] || 72 || 40 || 48 || 88 || 85
|-
| [[Duncan Milroy]] || [[Swift Current Broncos|Swift Current]]/[[Kootenay Ice|Kootenay]] || 64 || 45 || 42 || 87 || 44
|-
| [[Justin Kelly (ice hockey)|Justin Kelly]] || [[Saskatoon Blades]] || 72 || 39 || 47 || 86 || 47
|-
|}

===Goaltending leaders===
''Note: GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties ; GA = Goals against; SO = Total shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="27.5%" | Player
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="27.5%" | Team
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" | GP
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" | Min
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" | W
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" | L
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" | T
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" | GA
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" | SO
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" | SV%
! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="5%" | GAA
|-
|[[Cam Ward]]||[[Red Deer Rebels]]||46 ||2695 ||30 ||11 ||4 ||102 ||1 ||.911 ||2.27
|-
|[[Josh Harding]]||[[Regina Pats]]||42 ||3289 ||27 ||13 ||1 ||95 ||4 ||.906 ||2.39
|-
|[[Shane Bendera]]||[[Red Deer Rebels|Red Deer]]/[[Kelowna Rockets|Kelowna]]||50 ||3030 ||24 ||15 ||11 ||125 ||1 ||.912 ||2.47
|-
|[[Barry Brust]]||[[Spokane Chiefs]]||60 ||3542 ||28 ||21 ||10 ||152 ||1 ||.912 ||2.57
|-
|[[Billy Thompson (ice hockey)|Billy Thompson]]||[[Prince George Cougars]]||42 ||2378 ||20 ||17 ||2 ||108 ||2 ||.913 ||2.72
|-
|}

==2002 WHL Playoffs==
{{16TeamBracket
| RD1=Conference Quarter-finals
| RD2=Conference Semi-finals
| RD3=Conference Finals
| RD4=WHL Championship
| RD2-group1='''Eastern'''
| RD2-group2='''Western'''
| RD1-seed01=E1
| RD1-team01= '''[[Brandon Wheat Kings|Brandon]]'''
| RD1-score01= '''4'''
| RD1-seed02= E4
| RD1-team02= [[Saskatoon Blades|Saskatoon]]
| RD1-score02= 3
| RD1-seed03=E2
| RD1-team03= [[Regina Pats|Regina]]
| RD1-score03= 2
| RD1-seed04=E3
| RD1-team04= '''[[Moose Jaw Warriors|Moose Jaw]]'''
| RD1-score04= '''4'''
| RD1-seed05= C1
| RD1-team05= '''[[Red Deer Rebels|Red Deer]]'''
| RD1-score05= '''4'''
| RD1-seed06= C4
| RD1-team06= [[Lethbridge Hurricanes|Lethbridge]]
| RD1-score06= 0
| RD1-seed07= C2
| RD1-team07= '''[[Swift Current Broncos|Swift Current]]'''
| RD1-score07= '''4'''
| RD1-seed08=C3
| RD1-team08= [[Calgary Hitmen|Calgary]]
| RD1-score08= 3
| RD1-seed09=B1
| RD1-team09= [[Kamloops Blazers|Kamloops]]
| RD1-score09= 0
| RD1-seed10=B4
| RD1-team10= '''[[Kelowna Rockets|Kelowna]]'''
| RD1-score10= '''4'''
| RD1-seed11= B2
| RD1-team11= '''[[Kootenay Ice|Kootenay]]'''
| RD1-score11= '''4'''
| RD1-seed12=B3
| RD1-team12= [[Prince George Cougars|Prince George]]
| RD1-score12= 3
| RD1-seed13= U1
| RD1-team13= [[Portland Winterhawks|Portland]]
| RD1-score13= 3
| RD1-seed14= U4
| RD1-team14= '''[[Seattle Thunderbirds|Seattle]]'''
| RD1-score14= '''4'''
| RD1-seed15= U2
| RD1-team15= '''[[Spokane Chiefs|Spokane]]'''
| RD1-score15= '''4'''
| RD1-seed16= U3
| RD1-team16= [[Tri-City Americans|Tri-City]]
| RD1-score16= 1
| RD2-seed01=C1
| RD2-team01= '''Red Deer'''
| RD2-score01= '''4'''
| RD2-seed02=E3
| RD2-team02= Moose Jaw
| RD2-score02= 2
| RD2-seed03= E1
| RD2-team03= '''Brandon'''
| RD2-score03= '''4'''
| RD2-seed04= C2
| RD2-team04= Swift Current
| RD2-score04= 1
| RD2-seed05= B2
| RD2-team05= '''Kootenay'''
| RD2-score05= '''4'''
| RD2-seed06= U4
| RD2-team06= Seattle
| RD2-score06= 0
| RD2-seed07= U2
| RD2-team07= Spokane
| RD2-score07= 2
| RD2-seed08= B4
| RD2-team08= '''Kelowna'''
| RD2-score08= '''4'''
| RD3-seed01= E1
| RD3-team01= Brandon
| RD3-score01= 3
| RD3-seed02= C1
| RD3-team02= '''Red Deer'''
| RD3-score02= '''4'''
| RD3-seed03= B2
| RD3-team03= '''Kootenay'''
| RD3-score03= '''4'''
| RD3-seed04= B4
| RD3-team04= Kelowna
| RD3-score04= 1
| RD4-seed01= C1
| RD4-team01= Red Deer
| RD4-score01= 2
| RD4-seed02= B2
| RD4-team02= '''Kootenay Ice'''
| RD4-score02= '''4'''
}}

===Conference quarterfinals===

====Eastern Conference====
{| cellspacing="10"
| valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="4" | Brandon vs. Saskatoon
|-
! Date !! Away !! Home
|- 
| March 23 || align="right" | Brandon 1 || '''2 Saskatoon''' || OT
|-
| March 24 || align="right" | '''Brandon 2''' || 0 Saskatoon
|-
| March 26 || align="right" | Saskatoon 1 || '''3 Brandon'''
|-
| March 27 || align="right" | '''Saskatoon 2''' || 1 Brandon || 2OT
|-
| March 31 || align="right" | Brandon 2 || '''3 Saskatoon''' || OT
|-
| April 2 || align="right" | Saskatoon 1 || '''4 Brandon'''
|-
| April 3 || align="right" | Saskatoon 1 || '''2 Brandon'''
|-
|- align="center"
| colspan="4" | '''''Brandon wins series 4–3'''''
|}
| valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="4" | Regina vs. Moose Jaw
|-
! Date !! Away !! Home
|- 
| March 22 || align="right" | '''Moose Jaw 3''' || 2 Regina || OT
|-
| March 23 || align="right" | Moose Jaw 3 || '''5 Regina'''
|-
| March 26 || align="right" | '''Regina 2''' || 1 Moose Jaw
|-
| March 27 || align="right" | Regina 1 || '''3 Moose Jaw'''
|-
| March 29 || align="right" | '''Moose Jaw 2''' || 1 Regina
|-
| March 31 || align="right" | Regina 2 || '''5 Moose Jaw'''
|-
|- align="center"
| colspan="4" | '''''Moose Jaw wins series 4–2'''''
|}
|-
| valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="4" | Red Deer vs. Lethbridge
|-
! Date !! Away !! Home
|- 
| March 22 || align="right" | Lethbridge 2 || '''4 Red Deer'''
|-
| March 23 || align="right" | Lethbridge 3 || '''5 Red Deer'''
|-
| March 26 || align="right" | '''Red Deer 5''' || 2 Lethbridge
|-
| March 27 || align="right" | '''Red Deer 3''' || 2 Lethbridge
|- align="center"
| colspan="4" | '''''Red Deer wins series 4–0'''''
|}
| valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="4" | Swift Current vs. Calgary
|-
! Date !! Away !! Home
|- 
| March 22 || align="right" | '''Calgary 4''' || 2 Swift Current
|-
| March 23 || align="right" | Calgary 2 || '''4 Swift Current'''
|-
| March 26 || align="right" | '''Swift Current 5''' || 1 Calgary
|-
| March 27 || align="right" | Swift Current 1 || '''3 Calgary'''
|-
| March 29 || align="right" | Calgary 4 || '''5 Swift Current'''
|-
| March 31 || align="right" | Swift Current 2 || '''5 Calgary'''
|-
| April 2 || align="right" | Calgary 1 || '''3 Swift Current'''
|- align="center"
| colspan="4" | '''''Swift Current wins series 4–3'''''
|}
|}

====Western Conference====
{| cellspacing="10"
| valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="4" | Kamloops vs. Kelowna
|-
! Date !! Away !! Home
|- 
| March 22 || align="right" | '''Kelowna 4''' || 1 Kamloops
|-
| March 23 || align="right" | '''Kelowna 3''' || 0 Kamloops
|-
| March 27 || align="right" | Kamloops 2 || '''4 Kelowna'''
|-
| March 28 || align="right" | Kamloops 1 || '''3 Kelowna'''
|- align="center"
| colspan="4" | '''''Kelowna wins series 4–0'''''
|}
| valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="4" | Kootenay vs. Prince George
|-
! Date !! Away !! Home
|- 
| March 22 || align="right" | '''Prince George 4''' || 1 Kootenay
|-
| March 23 || align="right" | '''Prince George 3''' || 1 Kootenay
|-
| March 26 || align="right" | '''Kootenay 6''' || 0 Prince George
|-
| March 27 || align="right" | '''Kootenay 4''' || 2 Prince George
|-
| March 29 || align="right" | '''Kootenay 5''' || 3 Prince George
|-
| April 1 || align="right" | '''Prince George 6''' || 3 Kootenay
|-
| April 2 || align="right" | Prince George 1 || '''5 Kootenay'''
|- align="center"
| colspan="4" | '''''Kootenay wins series 4–3'''''
|}
|-
| valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="4" | Portland vs. Seattle
|-
! Date !! Away !! Home
|- 
| March 22 || align="right" | Seattle 3 || '''4 Portland'''
|-
| March 23 || align="right" | '''Seattle 6''' || 2 Portland
|-
| March 26 || align="right" | Portland 2 || '''3 Seattle'''
|-
| March 28 || align="right" | '''Portland 3''' || 2 Seattle
|-
| March 29 || align="right" | '''Seattle 1''' || 0 Portland
|-
| March 30 || align="right" | '''Portland 4''' || 0 Seattle
|-
| April 2 || align="right" | '''Seattle 3''' || 2 Portland
|- align="center"
| colspan="4" | '''''Seattle wins series 4–3'''''
|}
| valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="4" | Spokane vs. Tri-City
|-
! Date !! Away !! Home
|- 
| March 22 || align="right" | Tri-City 1 || '''4 Spokane'''
|-
| March 23 || align="right" | Tri-City 3 || '''7 Spokane'''
|-
| March 27 || align="right" | '''Spokane 2''' || 1 Tri-City
|-
| March 29 || align="right" | Spokane 2 || '''3 Tri-City''' || OT
|-
| March 30 || align="right" | Tri-City 1 || '''Spokane 2''' || OT
|- align="center"
| colspan="4" | '''''Spokane wins series 4–1'''''
|}
|}

===Conference semifinals===
{| cellspacing="10"
! colspan="2" | Eastern Conference
|-
| valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="4" | Red Deer vs. Moose Jaw
|-
! Date !! Away !! Home
|- 
| April 5 || align="right" | '''Moose Jaw 4''' || 0 Red Deer
|-
| April 6 || align="right" | Moose Jaw 3 || '''5 Red Deer'''
|-
| April 9 || align="right" | Red Deer 2 || '''3 Moose Jaw''' || OT
|-
| April 10 || align="right" | '''Red Deer 2''' || 1 Moose Jaw || OT
|-
| April 12 || align="right" | Moose Jaw 0 || '''6 Red Deer'''
|-
| April 14 || align="right" | '''Red Deer 4''' || 2 Moose Jaw
|- align="center"
| colspan="4" | '''''Red Deer wins series 4–2'''''
|}
| valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="4" | Swift Current vs. Brandon
|-
! Date !! Away !! Home
|- 
| April 5 || align="right" | Brandon 2 || '''3 Swift Current'''
|-
| April 6 || align="right" | '''Brandon 3''' || 2 Swift Current || OT
|-
| April 9 || align="right" | Swift Current 1 || '''4 Brandon'''
|-
| April 10 || align="right" | Swift Current 3 || '''4 Brandon''' || OT
|-
| April 12 || align="right" | '''Brandon 4''' || 3 Swift Current
|- align="center"
| colspan="4" | '''''Brandon wins series 4–1'''''
|}
|}

{| cellspacing="10"
! colspan="2" | Western Conference
|-
| valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="4" | Kootenay vs Seattle
|-
! Date !! Away !! Home
|- 
| April 5 || align="right" | Seattle 1 || '''3 Kootenay'''
|-
| April 6 || align="right" | Seattle 1 || '''7 Kootenay'''
|-
| April 9 || align="right" | '''Kootenay 5''' || 2 Seattle
|-
| April 11 || align="right" | '''Kootenay 5''' || 3 Seattle
|- align="center"
| colspan="4" | '''''Kootenay wins series 4–0'''''
|}
| valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="4" | Spokane vs. Kelowna
|-
! Date !! Away !! Home
|- 
| April 5 || align="right" | Kelowna 2 || '''3 Spokane'''
|-
| April 7 || align="right" | '''Spokane 3''' || 2 Kelowna || OT
|-
| April 8 || align="right" | Spokane 1 || '''2 Kelowna'''
|-
| April 10 || align="right" | '''Kelowna 8''' || 2 Spokane
|-
| April 11 || align="right" | '''Kelowna 2''' || 1 Spokane || 2OT
|-
| April 13 || align="right" | Spokane 0 || '''2 Kelowna'''
|- align="center"
| colspan="4" | '''''Kelowna wins series 4–2'''''
|}
|}

===Conference finals===
{| cellspacing="10"
! Eastern Conference !! Western Conference
|-
| valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="4" | Red Deer vs. Brandon
|-
! Date !! Away !! Home
|- 
| April 19 || align="right" | '''Brandon 2''' || 1 Red Deer || OT
|-
| April 20 || align="right" | Brandon 2 || '''4 Red Deer'''
|-
| April 23 || align="right" | Red Deer 4 || '''5 Brandon''' || 2OT
|-
| April 24 || align="right" | Red Deer 2 || '''5 Brandon'''
|-
| April 26 || align="right" | Brandon 0 || '''4 Red Deer'''
|-
| April 28 || align="right" | '''Red Deer 3''' || 2 Brandon || 2OT
|-
| April 30 || align="right" | Brandon 2 || '''5 Red Deer'''
|- align="center"
| colspan="4" | '''''Red Deer wins series 4–3'''''
|}
| valign="top" |
{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="4" | Kootenay vs. Kelowna
|-
! Date !! Away !! Home
|- 
| April 19 || align="right" | Kelowna 2 || '''3 Kootenay'''
|-
| April 20 || align="right" | Kelowna 4 || '''5 Kootenay'''
|-
| April 23 || align="right" | Kootenay 1 || '''5 Kelowna'''
|-
| April 24 || align="right" | '''Kootenay 4''' || 2 Kelowna
|-
| April 26 || align="right" | Kelowna 0 || '''3 Kootenay'''
|- align="center"
| colspan="4" | '''''Kootenay wins series 4–1'''''
|}
|}

===WHL Championship===

{| class="wikitable"
! bgcolor="#DDDDDD" colspan="4" | Red Deer vs. Kootenay
|-
! Date !! Away !! Home
|- 
| May 3 || align="right" | '''Kootenay 2''' || 1 Red Deer || OT
|-
| May 4 || align="right" | Kootenay 1 || '''2 Red Deer'''
|-
| May 7 || align="right" | Red Deer 2 || '''3 Kootenay''' || OT
|-
| May 8 || align="right" | '''Red Deer 3''' || 2 Kootenay
|-
| May 11 || align="right" | '''Kootenay 4''' || 3 Red Deer
|-
| May 13 || align="right" | Red Deer 2 || '''3 Kootenay''' || 2OT
|- align="center"
| colspan="4" | '''''Kootenay wins series 4–2'''''
|}

==All-Star games==

On January 24, the WHL Eastern All-Stars were defeated by the [[Ontario Hockey League|OHL]] Western All-Stars 7–2 at [[Red Deer, Alberta]] before a crowd of 6,259.

On February 6, the WHL Western All-Stars defeated the [[Quebec Major Junior Hockey League|QMJHL]] Dilio All-Stars 9–4 at [[Rimouski, Quebec]] before a crowd of 4,762.

==WHL awards==
{| cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" 
|[[Four Broncos Memorial Trophy]] (Player of the Year): [[Dan Hamhuis]], [[Prince George Cougars]]
|-
|[[Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman Trophy]] (Scholastic Player of the Year): [[Tyler Metcalfe]], [[Seattle Thunderbirds]]
|-
|Scholastic Team of the Year: [[Portland Winterhawks]]
|-
|[[Bob Clarke Trophy]] (Top scorer): [[Nathan Barrett (ice hockey)|Nathan Barrett]], [[Lethbridge Hurricanes]]
|-
|[[Brad Hornung Trophy]] (Most Sportsmanlike Player): [[Ian White (Ice hockey player)|Ian White]], [[Swift Current Broncos]]
|-
|[[Bill Hunter Trophy (WHL)|Bill Hunter Trophy]] (Top Defenseman): [[Dan Hamhuis]], [[Prince George Cougars]]
|-
|[[Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy]] (Rookie of the Year): [[Braydon Coburn]], [[Portland Winter Hawks]]
|-
|[[Del Wilson Trophy]] (Top Goaltender): [[Cam Ward]], [[Red Deer Rebels]]
|- 
|[[Dunc McCallum Memorial Trophy]] (Coach of the Year): [[Bob Lowes]], [[Regina Pats]]
|-
|[[Lloyd Saunders Memorial Trophy]] (Executive of the Year): [[Brad McEwan]], [[Swift Current Broncos]]
|-
|[[Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy]] (Best regular season record): [[Red Deer Rebels]]
|-
|[[Allen Paradice Memorial Trophy]] (Top Official): [[Kevin Acheson]]
|-
|[[St. Clair Group Trophy]] (Marketing/Public Relations Award): Greg McConkey, [[Red Deer Rebels]]
|-
|[[Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy]] (Humanitarian of the Year): [[Brandin Cote]], [[Spokane Chiefs]]
|-
|[[WHL Plus-Minus Award]]: [[Matt Hubbauer]], [[Regina Pats]]
|-
|[[WHL Playoff MVP|WHL Playoff Most Valuable Player]]: [[Duncan Milroy]], [[Kootenay Ice]]
|}

==All-Star Teams==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" width="70%"
|-
! colspan="5"|Eastern Conference
|-
! !! colspan="2"|First Team !! colspan="2"|Second Team
|-
| Goal || [[Cam Ward]] || [[Red Deer Rebels]] || [[Josh Harding]] || [[Regina Pats]]
|-
| rowspan="2"|Defense || [[Filip Novák (ice hockey)|Filip Novak]] || [[Regina Pats]] || [[Ian White (ice hockey)|Ian White]] || [[Swift Current Broncos]]
|-
| [[Jay Bouwmeester]] || [[Medicine Hat Tigers]] || [[Jeff Woywitka]] || [[Red Deer Rebels]]
|-
| rowspan="3"|Forward || [[Joffrey Lupul]] || [[Medicine Hat Tigers]] || [[Matt Hubbauer]] || [[Regina Pats]]
|-
| [[Nathan Barrett (ice hockey)|Nathan Barrett]] || [[Lethbridge Hurricanes]] || [[Mikhail Yakubov]] || [[Red Deer Rebels]]
|-
| [[Tyler Beechey]] || [[Calgary Hitmen]] || [[Justin Kelly (ice hockey)|Justin Kelly]] || [[Saskatoon Blades]]
|-
! colspan="5"|Western Conference
|-
! !! colspan="2"|First Team !! colspan="2"|Second Team
|-
| Goal || [[Barry Brust]] || [[Spokane Chiefs]] || [[Shane Bendera]] || [[Kelowna Rockets]]
|-
| rowspan="2"|Defense || [[Dan Hamhuis]] || [[Prince George Cougars]] || [[Craig Weller]] || [[Kootenay Ice]]
|-
| [[Kurt Sauer]] || [[Spokane Chiefs]] || [[Jesse Ferguson (ice hockey)|Jesse Ferguson]] || [[Kelowna Rockets]]
|-
| rowspan="3"|Forward || [[Jarret Stoll]] || [[Kootenay Ice]] || [[Eric Johansson (ice hockey)|Eric Johansson]] || [[Tri-City Americans]]
|-
| [[Jozef Balej]] || [[Portland Winter Hawks]] || [[Scottie Upshall]] || [[Kamloops Blazers]]
|-
| [[Jared Aulin]] || [[Kamloops Blazers]] || [[Marek Svatos]] || [[Kootenay Ice]]
|}
*source: Western Hockey League press release

==See also==
*[[2002 NHL Entry Draft]]
*[[2001 in sports]]
*[[2002 in sports]]

==References==
* 2005–06 WHL Guide

{{s-start}}
{{succession box |
  before = [[2000–01 WHL season]] |
  after = [[2002–03 WHL season]] |
  title = [[List of WHL seasons|WHL seasons]] |
  years = |
}}
{{s-end}}
{{WHL seasons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2001-02 WHL season}}
[[Category:Western Hockey League seasons]]
[[Category:2001–02 in American ice hockey by league|WHL]]
[[Category:2001–02 in Canadian ice hockey by league|WHL]]