The Western Hockey League Collection from Royal Retros celebrates the original professional WHL, the influential league that operated from 1952 to 1974 and shaped the identity of western hockey long before NHL expansion reached the region. The WHL was not simply a minor league; at its peak it rivaled major-league quality and helped establish the West Coast and Canadian Prairies as essential hockey markets. This collection honors every era, every team, and every story from a league whose impact is still felt today.

The WHL’s roots date back to the Pacific Coast Hockey League (PCHL), which thrived in the 1940s and early 1950s. When the PCHL reorganized as the WHL in 1952, it united established hockey cities like Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, San Diego, and Edmonton into a single, ambitious western circuit. Early clubs such as the Seattle Ironmen, Vancouver Canucks, San Diego Skyhawks, Hollywood Wolves, and Portland Eagles laid the foundation for what would become one of the most important professional hockey leagues outside the NHL.

The 1950s and 60s marked the WHL’s golden era, propelled by powerhouse teams, passionate fans, and talented players. The Portland Buckaroos quickly became one of the league’s most dominant and beloved franchises. Led by stars like Art Jones, Don Head, Bill Saunders, and Tommy McVie, they filled the Memorial Coliseum with one of the most loyal fanbases in the sport. The Seattle Totems stood right beside them in prestige, fueled by the incredible skill of Guyle Fielder, one of the most prolific scorers in professional hockey history. Their rivalry with Portland remains legendary and was a defining feature of hockey in the Pacific Northwest.

The Vancouver Canucks became one of the WHL’s signature teams long before joining the NHL. Featuring players such as Phil Maloney, Gordie Sinclair, and Johnny MacKenzie, the Canucks built a strong identity and fanbase that eventually made them one of the NHL’s most successful expansion choices in 1970. California franchises like the San Francisco Seals and Los Angeles Blades played equally important roles. The Seals were so successful in the WHL that they became an NHL expansion team in 1967, proof of the WHL’s strength and credibility at the time. Los Angeles also used its WHL tenure to demonstrate that large West Coast markets were ready for major-league hockey.

The San Diego Gulls added flair and personality to the league. As home to Willie O’Ree—who broke the NHL’s color barrier—the Gulls became a beloved franchise with fast, exciting hockey and a distinctive brand that stood out in the WHL’s later years. The Phoenix Roadrunners brought speedy, high-scoring hockey to the desert, helping grow the sport in Arizona decades before the NHL arrived. The Denver Spurs were a respected, well-run team in the Mountain region, competing with intensity and helping push Denver toward NHL expansion in the 1970s.

Prairie and Canadian clubs added significant depth to the league. The Victoria Maple Leafs, Edmonton Flyers, Calgary Stampeders, and Winnipeg Warriors all represented strong, traditional hockey markets. Victoria in particular became known for its 1966 championship team led by Larry Lund and other top-tier WHL talent. Edmonton and Calgary continued their long-standing hockey traditions through WHL competition, reinforcing the Prairies as essential to the sport’s growth. Spokane’s franchises, first the Comets and later the Jets, were known for gritty, hard-nosed hockey and exceptionally loyal supporters. The Salt Lake Golden Eagles became one of the WHL’s most recognizable teams with their bright gold-and-blue colors and high-energy play. Even smaller markets such as Moose Jaw contributed to the grassroots culture that made the league so significant across the West.

The WHL produced a remarkable list of stars, including Guyle Fielder, Art Jones, Len Ronson, Buddy Boone, Larry Lund, Don Head, and Bill MacFarland. Many players found long careers in the WHL, while others springboarded into the NHL or enjoyed second careers in WHL cities where they became local icons. The league’s coaching and front-office talent was equally strong, with figures who shaped the sport long after the WHL closed.

During the late 1960s, the WHL grew so powerful that hockey insiders speculated it might become a true major league. NHL owners noticed the WHL’s strong attendance, skilled rosters, and major-market teams. This pressure contributed directly to NHL expansion in 1967 and beyond, as the NHL sought to occupy cities that the WHL had established as prime destinations—Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Denver, and others. The WHL was not outmatched in talent; it was strategically displaced by NHL expansion into its strongest markets.

By the early 1970s, as the NHL absorbed WHL cities and player salaries rose across the sport, the WHL could no longer operate sustainably and ultimately dissolved in 1974. But its legacy remains unmistakable. The league nurtured western hockey culture, produced elite players, established major-league markets, and served as the vital bridge between the PCHL era and the modern western hockey landscape.

The Royal Retros WHL Collection is a tribute to that history. Every jersey, shirt, and hat in this line draws from original WHL team aesthetics—bold striping, vintage fonts, classic crests, striking mascots, and authentic western color palettes—reimagined with modern fabrics, sublimated artwork, and streetwear-focused design. Whether your heart belongs to the Portland Buckaroos, Seattle Totems, Vancouver Canucks (WHL), San Diego Gulls, Phoenix Roadrunners, Spokane Jets, Victoria Maple Leafs, Denver Spurs, or any of the league’s legendary franchises, this collection brings back the stories, rivalries, and passion that defined the league from 1952 to 1974.

This is the most complete WHL apparel collection available anywhere, honoring the teams and eras that helped shape the history of professional hockey in the West.