This was the 1970-71 season of the Western Hockey League. It was the nineteenth season of the league.
The Vancouver Canucks withdrew to join the National Hockey League. For the first time, the league only had American teams and no teams from Canada.
The Canucks were the last Canadian team in the league's history.
Standings[]
Portland Buckaroos 72-48-17- 7-103 306-210 Phoenix Roadrunners 72-36-27- 9- 81 271-234 San Diego Gulls 72-33-27-12- 78 248-223 Denver Spurs 72-25-31-16- 66 242-253 Seattle Totems 72-27-36- 9- 63 223-260 Salt Lake Golden Eagles 72-18-49- 5- 41 217-327
Playoffs[]
Best of 7
Semi Finals[]
- San Diego 3 Portland 2
- Portland 3 San Diego 1
- San Diego 5 Portland 4
- Portland 5 San Diego 2
- Portland 3 San Diego 1
- Portland 8 San Diego 2
Portland Buckaroos beat San Diego Gulls 4 wins to 2.
- Phoenix 5 Denver 4
- Denver 2 Phoenix 1
- Phoenix 7 Denver 6
- Phoenix 6 Denver 2
- Phoenix 3 Denver 1
Phoenix Roadrunners beat Denver Spurs 4 wins to 1.
Final[]
- Portland 4 Phoenix 3
- Portland 4 Phoenix 2
- Portland 3 Phoenix 2
- Phoenix 3 Portland 2
- Portland 5 Phoenix 0
Portland Buckaroos beat Phoenix Roadrunners 4 wins to 1 and won the Lester Patrick Cup.
All-Star Teams[]
First Team[]
- Goaltender: Jack McCartan, San Diego Gulls
- Defenceman: John Hanna, Seattle Totems
- Defenceman: Rick Foley, Portland Buckaroos
- Center: Art Jones, Portland
- Left Winger: André Hinse, Phoenix Roadrunners
- Right Winger: Bob Courcy, San Diego
Second Team[]
- Goaltender: Jim McLeod, Portland
- Defenceman: Larry Mavety, Denver Spurs
- Defenceman: Connie Madigan, Portland
- Center: Gerry Goyer, San Diego
- Left Winger: Bill Saunders, Portland
- Right Winger: Andy Hebenton, Portland
