This season also saw the league expand into British Columbia, becoming a truly Western Canadian organization. On the national scene, 1972 also marked the beginning of a new era as it was decided that the Memorial Cup would be contested through a round robin tournament featuring the champions from the country's three major junior leagues—the WCHL, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, and the Ontario Hockey Association.[1] The Oil Kings became the WCHL's first participant under this new format at the 1972 Memorial Cup tournament.
The Victoria Cougars and the Vancouver Nats joined the WCHL as expansion clubs, bringing the number of British Columbia-based teams up to three.
With the B.C. teams joining the West Division, the Swift Current Broncos and Saskatoon Blades moved to the East division to create two divisions of six teams each.
Brandon defeated Saskatoon 4 games to 3 with 1 tie
Regina defeated Flin Flon 3 games to 2 with 2 ties
Calgary defeated Medicine Hat 4 games to 2 with 1 tie
Edmonton defeated New Westminster 4 games to 1
Semifinals
Regina defeated Brandon 4 games to 2
Edmonton defeated Calgary 4 games to 2
Finals
Edmonton defeated Regina 4 games to 1
All-Star game
The 1971–72 WCHL All-Star Game was held in Vancouver, British Columbia, with the East
Division All-Stars defeating the West Division All-Stars 4–2 before a crowd of 5,783.
