1996-97 WPHL season

The 1996-97 WPHL season was the inaugural season of the Western Professional Hockey League. The leagues first season consisted of six teams in the American Southwest. The inaugural francises were placed in: Albuquerque, New Mexico, Amarillo, Texas, Austin, Texas, Belton, Texas, El Paso, Texas and Waco, Texas. The 6 teams played 64 games each in the schedule. The New Mexico Scorpions finished first overall in the regular season. The El Paso Buzzards won the first President's Cup championship.

Regular Season
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L= Loses; OTL = Overtime loses; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points; Green shade = Clinched playoff spot