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Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy

The Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the defenceman of the year in the Western Hockey League (WHL). 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.{{cite book |editor-last=Watts |editor-first=Jesse |title=2013–14 WHL Media Guide |publisher=Western Hockey League |year=2013 |page=267}}

List of winners

style="wikitable"
style="background: #bbdddd";"| denotes also named CHL Defenceman of the Year

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ WHL Defenceman of the Year

SeasonPlayerTeam
1966–67Barry GibbsEstevan Bruins
1967–68Gerry HartFlin Flon Bombers
1968–69Dale HogansonEstevan Bruins
1969–70Jim HargreavesWinnipeg Jets
1970–71Ron JonesEdmonton Oil Kings
1971–72Jim WatsonCalgary Centennials
1972–73George PesutSaskatoon Blades
1973–74Pat PriceSaskatoon Blades
1974–75Rick LapointeVictoria Cougars
1975–76Kevin McCarthyWinnipeg Clubs
1976–77Barry BeckNew Westminster Bruins
1977–78Brad McCrimmonBrandon Wheat Kings
1978–79Keith BrownPortland Winter Hawks
1979–80Dave BabychPortland Winter Hawks
1980–81Jim BenningPortland Winter Hawks
1981–82Gary NylundPortland Winter Hawks
1982–83Gary LeemanRegina Pats
1983–84Bob RouseLethbridge Broncos
1984–85Wendel ClarkSaskatoon Blades
rowspan=2 | 1985–86{{efn|name=fn1|In 85–86 and 86–87, the WHL handed out separate awards for the East and West divisions}}(West) Glen WesleyPortland Winter Hawks
| (East) Emanuel ViveirosPrince Albert Raiders
rowspan=2 |1986–87{{efn|name=fn1}}(West) Glen WesleyPortland Winter Hawks
| (East) Wayne McBeanMedicine Hat Tigers
bgcolor="#bbdddd"

|1987–88

Greg HawgoodKamloops Blazers
1988–89Dan LambertSwift Current Broncos
1989–90Kevin HallerRegina Pats
1990–91Darryl SydorKamloops Blazers
1991–92Richard MatvichukSaskatoon Blades
1992–93Jason SmithRegina Pats
1993–94Brendan WittSeattle Thunderbirds
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|1994–95

Nolan BaumgartnerKamloops Blazers
1995–96Nolan BaumgartnerKamloops Blazers
1996–97Chris PhillipsLethbridge Hurricanes
1997–98Michal RozsivalSwift Current Broncos
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|1998–99

Brad StuartCalgary Hitmen
bgcolor="#bbdddd"

|1999–2000

Micki DupontKamloops Blazers
2000–01Christian ChartierPrince George Cougars
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|2001–02

Dan HamhuisPrince George Cougars
2002–03Jeff WoywitkaRed Deer Rebels
2003–04Dion PhaneufRed Deer Rebels
2004–05Dion PhaneufRed Deer Rebels
2005–06Kris RussellMedicine Hat Tigers
bgcolor="#bbdddd"

|2006–07

Kris RussellMedicine Hat Tigers
bgcolor="#bbdddd"

|2007–08

Karl AlznerCalgary Hitmen
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|2008–09

Jonathon BlumVancouver Giants
2009–10Tyson BarrieKelowna Rockets
2010–11Stefan ElliottSaskatoon Blades
2011–12Alex PetrovicRed Deer Rebels
2012–13Brenden KichtonSpokane Chiefs
bgcolor="#bbdddd"

|2013–14

Derrick PouliotPortland Winterhawks
2014–15Shea TheodoreSeattle Thunderbirds
bgcolor="#bbdddd"

|2015–16

Ivan ProvorovBrandon Wheat Kings
2016–17Ethan BearSeattle Thunderbirds
2017–18Kale ClagueBrandon/Moose Jaw
bgcolor="#bbdddd"

|2018–19

Ty SmithSpokane Chiefs
2019–20Ty SmithSpokane Chiefs
2020–21Braden SchneiderBrandon Wheat Kings
2021–22Olen ZellwegerEverett Silvertips
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|2022–23

Olen ZellwegerKamloops Blazers
2023–24Denton MateychukMoose Jaw Warriors

See also

Notes

{{notelist}}

References

{{reflist}}

{{WHL}}

Category:Western Hockey League trophies and awards