The Kelowna Rockets are the team to beat heading into the 2005-06 season, according to the Western Major Junior Hockey Writers Association preseason poll. The Rockets, who return most of their WHL Championship-winning roster from last season, garnered 15 of a possible 17 first-place votes in the poll. The WMJHWA is comprised of writers in each of the WHL’s 20 cities.
A first-place vote is worth 20 points, with 19 for second, 18 for third and so on, down to one point for a last-place vote. The preseason poll shows total points and first-place votes in parentheses:
1. Kelowna Rockets, 322 (15)
2. Seattle Thunderbirds, 295
3. Everett Silvertips, 267
4. Portland Winter Hawks, 256
5. Calgary Hitmen, 242
6. Kamloops Blazers, 240
7. Prince Albert Raiders, 204
8. Lethbridge Hurricanes, 199
9. Saskatoon Blades, 190
10. Vancouver Giants, 179 (1)
11. Red Deer Rebels, 173
12. Moose Jaw Warriors, 164
13. Brandon Wheat Kings, 145
14. Prince George Cougars, 140
15. Medicine Hat Tigers, 127
16. Spokane Chiefs, 125
17. Kootenay Ice, 115 (1)
18. Tri-City Americans, 97
19. Swift Current Broncos, 50
20. Regina Pats, 40
(Participating: Brandon Sun, Everett Herald, Kamloops Daily News, Kamloops Daily News, Kelowna Capital News, Kelowna Daily Courier, Kootenay News Advertiser, Lethbridge Herald, Medicine Hat News, Moose Jaw Times-Herald, Prairie Post, Prince Albert Daily News, Prince George Citizen, Red Deer Advocate, Saskatoon Star Phoenix, Seattle Times, Spokane Spokesman-Review, Tri-City Herald, Vancouver Sun)
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