Before the season even started, the Vancouver Whalers had a tough task ahead of them. After losing players like Murray, Odegard, Phelps, Kikkomen, Oullette, Odjick and Bennett, the new rookies had a lot to prove. However, it was just too much for the Whalers to handle as they ended up finishing last in the SMJHL with 37 points (16-29-5). Finishing last in goals for, 5th in goals against and last in goal differential, the Whalers looked terrible on paper. However, this was a year for the rookies to improve and for them to come back next season better than ever. There is no one in the locker room that doesn’t believe next year with be the year of the Whalers. Gabriel Wong finished 5th in the league in rookie scoring with 9 goals and 17 assists for 25 points. The Whalers also traded for Wayne Hetzky and Howie Dewitt, who both finished with 22 points and 18 points respectively. First round picks Skillstedt and Woodcroft finished with 17 points and 13 points as well. Rookie defensemen Mete and Love also took strides of improvement throughout the season. The turning point of the season was when Whaler’s management realized that making the playoffs would be a stretch and started trading players to stock up on draft picks and rookies. That is how Hetzky and Dewitt ended up on the team. However, they gave up veteran members like Lindqvist, Twain, Stephens and Wit. These moves may have made the Whalers worse on paper, but it gave the rookies more of a chance to play and be ready for next season. Look out SMJHL, the Whalers are looking like they are ready for revenge.