WHL can't dump 'defense first' Mentality

The upcoming 2007 Memorial Cup in Vancouver will likely stay true to form with previous years.

The Western Hockey League rep's (the host Giants and league champs or runner-ups) will come from what is considered the 'defensive minded league'

While W.H.L Governors have worked extensively on ways of opening up the game by creating more scoring chances, the numbers don't lie when you compare them with their Canadian Hockey League cousins.

The W.H.L simply scores fewer goals than those in the Quebec and Ontario Hockey League's.

The W.H.L's leading point getter's are Ryan White of the Calgary Hitmen and Zach Hamill of the Everett Silvertips.
Both players have 81 points.

If you combined White and Hamill with the top scorers in the O.H.L, they'd rank 14th overall.

Patrick Kane of the London Knights leads the 'O' with 123 points, thanks to 53 goals and 70 assists.
The O.H.L has three-50 goal scorers this season while the W.H.L doesn't even have one.

Only three are likely to reach that bench mark this season.
Colton Yellowhorn of the Tri City Americans and Kamloops Blazer Reid Jorgenson have 39 goals each while Mark Derlago of Brandon has 38.

If you compared White and Hamill's numbers with the leading scorers in the Quebec league it's even worse.
Both players would have a share of 18th spot.
The leading point getter in the 'Q' is Francois Bouchard of Baie-Comeau who has an impressive 117 points.
How offensively orientated is the Quebec League?
Thomas Beauregard of the Acadie-Bathhurst Titan has 68 goals.

Amazing.

The Q.M.J.H.L has 16 teams with over 200 goals scored this season while the W.H.L and O.H.L have just eight teams with over 200 goals.

But true to form when it comes to defensive hockey and solid goaltending, the 'Dub' means defense.

David Reekie of the Everett Silvertips has the top goals against average in the league at 1.80.
The Q.M.J.H.L's goals against leader is Jonathon Bernier of Lewiston at 2.59.
The O.H.L's top keeper has slightly better numbers but no where near Reekie. Thomas McCollum of Guelph has an average of 2.39.

If that doesn't convince you enough, how about comparing the W.H.L with the two others when it comes to the number of goals allowed.

The 'Q' has 16 teams that have allowed over 200 goals against while the Ontario Hockey League has 11.

The Western Hockey League?

Just 6!

Which league will have the most success at the 2007 tournament in Vancouver?

Whether it's dandy defense or spectacular scoring, junior hockey fans will be in for a treat.