Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the defenceman of the year in the Western Hockey League

Western Hockey League

The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...

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It is named after one of the league's founders, Bill Hunter, who was the driving force behind the creation of the WHL. Hunter served as the owner, general manager and head coach of the Edmonton Oil Kings, and was the first Chairman of the Board of the new league.

List of winners

Season	Player	Team
2009-10	Tyson Barrie Tyson Barrie Tyson Barrie is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman for the Colorado Avalanche organization, currently playing for the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League. He previously captained the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League...	Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Rockets The Kelowna Rockets are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Rockets play in the Western Hockey League , out of the Canadian Hockey League . They play their home games at Prospera Place....
2008–09 2008–09 WHL season The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took...	Jonathon Blum Jonathon Blum Jonathon Blum is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently playing for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League ....	Vancouver Giants Vancouver Giants The Vancouver Giants are a major junior ice hockey team playing in the Western Hockey League . Inaugurated in 2001–02, the Giants have won one President's Cup in 2006 and one Memorial Cup in 2007 in their ten-season history...
2007–08 2007–08 WHL season The 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008....	Karl Alzner Karl Alzner Karl Alzner is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for the Washington Capitals. He was drafted in the first round, 5th overall, by the Capitals in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft...	Calgary Hitmen Calgary Hitmen The Calgary Hitmen are a major junior ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Hitmen play in the Central Division of the Western Hockey League . They play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Bret "The Hitman" Hart, a local-born professional wrestler, was a founding owner...
2006–07	Kris Russell Kris Russell Kris Russell is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League...	Medicine Hat Tigers Medicine Hat Tigers The Medicine Hat Tigers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League who play out of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Established in 1970, the team has won two national Memorial Cups, five WHL League Championships and seven Division Titles. The Tigers play at the Medicine Hat Arena....
2005–06	Kris Russell Kris Russell Kris Russell is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League...	Medicine Hat Tigers Medicine Hat Tigers The Medicine Hat Tigers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League who play out of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Established in 1970, the team has won two national Memorial Cups, five WHL League Championships and seven Division Titles. The Tigers play at the Medicine Hat Arena....
2004–05	Dion Phaneuf Dion Phaneuf Dion Phaneuf is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League...	Red Deer Rebels Red Deer Rebels The Red Deer Rebels are a Western Hockey League junior ice hockey team based in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. They play their home games at the ENMAX Centrium....
2003–04	Dion Phaneuf Dion Phaneuf Dion Phaneuf is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League...	Red Deer Rebels Red Deer Rebels The Red Deer Rebels are a Western Hockey League junior ice hockey team based in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. They play their home games at the ENMAX Centrium....
2002–03	Jeff Woywitka Jeff Woywitka Jeff Woywitka is a professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the New York Rangers of the NHL.-Playing career:...	Red Deer Rebels Red Deer Rebels The Red Deer Rebels are a Western Hockey League junior ice hockey team based in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. They play their home games at the ENMAX Centrium....
2001–02	Dan Hamhuis Dan Hamhuis Daniel Hamhuis is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League ....	Prince George Cougars Prince George Cougars The Prince George Cougars are a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. The team is based in Prince George, British Columbia, and plays its home games at the CN Centre...
2000–01	Christian Chartier Christian Chartier Christian Chartier is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman currently playing for Augsburger Panther in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga .-Junior:...	Prince George Cougars Prince George Cougars The Prince George Cougars are a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. The team is based in Prince George, British Columbia, and plays its home games at the CN Centre...
1999–00	Micki Dupont Micki DuPont Micki DuPont is a professional ice hockey player for the Kloten Flyers in the Swiss National League A.-Playing career:Normally playing as a defenceman, DuPont was drafted 270th overall in the ninth round by the Calgary Flames in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft...	Kamloops Blazers Kamloops Blazers The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...
1998–99	Brad Stuart Brad Stuart Bradley Stuart is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...	Calgary Hitmen Calgary Hitmen The Calgary Hitmen are a major junior ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Hitmen play in the Central Division of the Western Hockey League . They play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Bret "The Hitman" Hart, a local-born professional wrestler, was a founding owner...
1997–98	Michal Rozsival Michal Rozsival Michal Rozsíval is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . He joined the team in 2011, previously playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2000 until 2004, and the New York Rangers from 2005 to 2011.-Playing...	Swift Current Broncos Swift Current Broncos The Swift Current Broncos are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. Founded during 1967 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the Broncos played seven seasons before relocating to Lethbridge from 1974 to 1986 as the Lethbridge Broncos...
1996–97	Chris Phillips Chris Phillips Chris Phillips is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He has been a member of the Ottawa Senators for his entire career, which began with the 1997–98 season. He also serves as their alternate captain and is regarded...	Lethbridge Hurricanes Lethbridge Hurricanes The Lethbridge Hurricanes are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Conference of the Western Hockey League in Lethbridge, Alberta. They play their home games at the ENMAX Centre.-History:...
1995–96	Nolan Baumgartner Nolan Baumgartner Nolan Baumgartner is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays within the Vancouver Canucks organization of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...	Kamloops Blazers Kamloops Blazers The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...
1994–95	Nolan Baumgartner Nolan Baumgartner Nolan Baumgartner is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays within the Vancouver Canucks organization of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...	Kamloops Blazers Kamloops Blazers The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...
1993–94	Brendan Witt Brendan Witt Brendan Witt is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He most recently played for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League, affiliate of the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League ....	Seattle Thunderbirds Seattle Thunderbirds The Seattle Thunderbirds are a junior ice hockey team based in Kent, a suburb of Seattle, Washington. They are part of the U.S. Division of the Western Hockey League, and play in the ShoWare Center...
1992–93	Jason Smith	Regina Pats Regina Pats The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:...
1991–92	Richard Matvichuk Richard Matvichuk Richard Matvichuk is a former NHL defenceman. He played 14 seasons with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars, and the New Jersey Devils.Although he was born in Edmonton, Richard was raised in the nearby city of Fort Saskatchewan...	Saskatoon Blades Saskatoon Blades The Saskatoon Blades are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Division of the Western Hockey League. They are based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, playing at the 15,195 seat Credit Union Centre.-History:...
1990–91	Darryl Sydor Darryl Sydor Darryl Marion Sydor is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He has won two Stanley Cups during his career; with the Dallas Stars in 1999 and with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004...	Kamloops Blazers Kamloops Blazers The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...
1989–90	Kevin Haller Kevin Haller Kevin Haller is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...	Regina Pats Regina Pats The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:...
1988–89	Dan Lambert Dan Lambert Daniel Lambert is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 29 games in the National Hockey League for the Quebec Nordiques.-External links:...	Swift Current Broncos Swift Current Broncos The Swift Current Broncos are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. Founded during 1967 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the Broncos played seven seasons before relocating to Lethbridge from 1974 to 1986 as the Lethbridge Broncos...
1987–88	Greg Hawgood Greg Hawgood Gregory William Hawgood is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars.-Playing...	Kamloops Blazers Kamloops Blazers The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...
1986–87¹	(West) Glen Wesley Glen Wesley Glen Edwin Wesley is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played 10 seasons for the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League. He began his career with the Boston Bruins, and briefly played for the Toronto Maple Leafs...	Portland Winter Hawks Portland Winter Hawks The Portland Winterhawks are a major junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League, a member league in the Canadian Hockey League. They play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum, though typically a few games each season are also played in the...
	(East) Wayne McBean Wayne McBean Wayne McBean is a retired ice hockey defenceman. McBean played professionally in the National Hockey League with the Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, and Winnipeg Jets.- Playing career :...	Medicine Hat Tigers Medicine Hat Tigers The Medicine Hat Tigers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League who play out of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Established in 1970, the team has won two national Memorial Cups, five WHL League Championships and seven Division Titles. The Tigers play at the Medicine Hat Arena....
1985–86¹	(West) Glen Wesley Glen Wesley Glen Edwin Wesley is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played 10 seasons for the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League. He began his career with the Boston Bruins, and briefly played for the Toronto Maple Leafs...	Portland Winter Hawks Portland Winter Hawks The Portland Winterhawks are a major junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League, a member league in the Canadian Hockey League. They play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum, though typically a few games each season are also played in the...
	(East) Emanuel Viveiros Emanuel Viveiros Emanuel "Manny" Viveiros is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 29 games in the National Hockey League for the Minnesota North Stars.-External links:...	Prince Albert Raiders Prince Albert Raiders The Prince Albert Raiders are a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. The Raiders play in the East Division of the Eastern Conference. They are based in the Saskatchewan city of Prince Albert...
1984–85	Wendel Clark Wendel Clark Wendel L. Clark is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is perhaps best known for being a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League , captaining the team from 1991 to 1994...	Saskatoon Blades Saskatoon Blades The Saskatoon Blades are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Division of the Western Hockey League. They are based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, playing at the 15,195 seat Credit Union Centre.-History:...
1983–84	Bob Rouse Bob Rouse -Playing career:A prototypical stay-at-home defenceman, Rouse was drafted in 1982 by the Minnesota North Stars. After playing parts of six season with the North Stars, Rouse was traded to the Washington Capitals at the trade deadline of the 1988–89 NHL season in the deal that also sent Dino...	Lethbridge Broncos Lethbridge Broncos The Lethbridge Broncos were a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League from 1974 until 1986. They played at the Lethbridge Sportsplex.-Season-by-season record:...
1982–83	Gary Leeman Gary Leeman Gary Leeman is a former professional ice hockey player in the NHL.-Playing career:He attended Notre Dame College in Wilcox, Saskatchewan and was a standout defenceman for two seasons with the WHL's Regina Pats where he was voted the league's Top Defenceman and a First Team All-Star.Leeman was...	Regina Pats Regina Pats The Regina Pats are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League. The Pats are based out of Regina, Saskatchewan and the Brandt Centre is their home arena.-History:...
1981–82	Gary Nylund Gary Nylund Gary Nylund is a retired former professional ice hockey player who played 608 National Hockey League games for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders. Following his retirement, Nylund became a firefighter in Delta, British Columbia...	Portland Winter Hawks Portland Winter Hawks The Portland Winterhawks are a major junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League, a member league in the Canadian Hockey League. They play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum, though typically a few games each season are also played in the...
1980–81	Jim Benning Jim Benning James Elmer Benning is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman. Drafted in the first round in the 1981 NHL entry draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, he played 605 games over nine seasons for the Leafs and the Vancouver Canucks, compiling 52 goals and 191 points.Prior to his professional...	Portland Winter Hawks Portland Winter Hawks The Portland Winterhawks are a major junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League, a member league in the Canadian Hockey League. They play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum, though typically a few games each season are also played in the...
1979–80	Dave Babych Dave Babych David Michael Babych is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who spent 19 seasons in the National Hockey League . He is currently an assistant director of player personnel with the Vancouver Canucks...	Portland Winter Hawks Portland Winter Hawks The Portland Winterhawks are a major junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League, a member league in the Canadian Hockey League. They play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum, though typically a few games each season are also played in the...
1978–79	Keith Brown	Portland Winter Hawks Portland Winter Hawks The Portland Winterhawks are a major junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League, a member league in the Canadian Hockey League. They play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum, though typically a few games each season are also played in the...
1977–78	Brad McCrimmon Brad McCrimmon Byron Brad McCrimmon from Plenty, Saskatchewan, was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and coach. McCrimmon played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League between 1979 and 1997. From 1997 to his death, he was a coach, ultimately with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League...	Brandon Wheat Kings Brandon Wheat Kings The Brandon Wheat Kings are a Canadian junior ice hockey team based in Brandon, Manitoba. They compete in the Western Hockey League, and joined the league in the 1967–68 season. Prior to that they played in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and were known as the Brandon Elks for a short time in the...
1976–77	Barry Beck Barry Beck Barry Beck is a retired former professional ice hockey player who was drafted second overall in both the 1977 NHL Amateur Draft and the 1977 WHA Amateur Draft from the New Westminster Bruins. Beck helped the Bruins to the Memorial Cup in 1977. He opted to move to the NHL over the WHA, and began...	New Westminster Bruins New Westminster Bruins The New Westminster Bruins were a junior ice hockey team from the Western Hockey League. There were two franchises that carried this name:* 1971–1981...
1975–76	Kevin McCarthy	Winnipeg Clubs
1974–75	Rick Lapointe Rick Lapointe Richard Paul "Jumbo" Lapointe was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played eleven seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, St...	Victoria Cougars
1973–74	Pat Price	Saskatoon Blades Saskatoon Blades The Saskatoon Blades are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Division of the Western Hockey League. They are based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, playing at the 15,195 seat Credit Union Centre.-History:...
1972–73	George Pesut George Pesut George Matthew Pesut is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played in 92 NHL games for the California Golden Seals over two seasons. He also played in 17 WHA games with the Calgary Cowboys during the 1976–77 season. He also has played in European pro leagues and coached pro...	Saskatoon Blades Saskatoon Blades The Saskatoon Blades are a junior ice hockey team in the Eastern Division of the Western Hockey League. They are based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, playing at the 15,195 seat Credit Union Centre.-History:...
1971–72	Jim Watson	Calgary Centennials Calgary Centennials Calgary Buffaloes redirects here. For the former Alberta Junior Hockey League team of the same name, see Calgary Buffaloes The Calgary Centennials were a junior ice hockey team that played in the Western Canada Hockey League from 1966–1977...
1970–71	Ron Jones Ron Jones (hockey) Ronald Perry Jones is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.Selected by the Boston Bruins in the 1971 NHL Entry Draft, Jones played for the Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Washington Capitals....	Edmonton Oil Kings
1969–70	Jim Hargreaves Jim Hargreaves Jim Hargreaves is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He was drafted from the Winnipeg Jets of the Western Canada Hockey League in the second round, 16th overall, by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1970 NHL Amateur Draft...	Winnipeg Jets
1968–69	Dale Hoganson Dale Hoganson Dale Gordon Hoganson is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 344 games in the National Hockey League and 378 games in the World Hockey Association. He played for the Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, Quebec Nordiques, and Birmingham Bulls...	Estevan Bruins Estevan Bruins The Estevan Bruins are a junior ice hockey team playing in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. The team is based out of Estevan, Saskatchewan and plays at the brand new Spectra Place. Radio station CJSL AM 1280 broadcasts Bruins games.-History:...
1967–68	Gerry Hart Gerry Hart Gerald William Hart is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 730 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders, Quebec Nordiques, and St...	Flin Flon Bombers Flin Flon Bombers The Flin Flon Bombers are a junior ice hockey team and current member of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League , and are based in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada. The team moved and became the Edmonton Oil Kings in 1978, but the Flin Flon Bomber name was retained...
1966–67	Barry Gibbs Barry Gibbs Barry "Gibby" Gibbs is a former professional ice hockey defenceman.-Playing career:...	Estevan Bruins Estevan Bruins The Estevan Bruins are a junior ice hockey team playing in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. The team is based out of Estevan, Saskatchewan and plays at the brand new Spectra Place. Radio station CJSL AM 1280 broadcasts Bruins games.-History:...

Blue background denotes also named CHL Defenceman of the Year
CHL Defenceman of the Year
The CHL Defenceman of the Year Award is given out annually to the top defenceman in the Canadian Hockey League.-Winners:*2010-11 Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires*2009–10 David Savard, Moncton Wildcats*2008–09 Jonathon Blum, Vancouver Giants...

¹The WHL handed out separate awards for the East and West divisions.

List of winners

See also