Western International Hockey League
Encyclopedia
The Western International Hockey League was a senior level ice hockey
league that featured teams from the Western United States
and Western Canada
. It operated from 1946–62 and 1963–88. It grew out of the West Kootenay League
, which operated in southeast British Columbia
from the 1920s.
The league had teams in the British Columbian cities of Trail
, Nelson
, Kimberley
, Rossland
, Fernie
, and Cranbrook
; in Spokane, Washington
; Calgary, Alberta; Portland, Oregon
; and Los Angeles
. The league did not operate in 1962–63 while the Trail Smoke Eaters
competed for the world amateur championship overseas.
At various times in the 1950s and 1960s the league had an interlocking schedule with the Okanagan Senior League
and the Alberta Senior Hockey League
. It also played matches against the Pacific Hockey League
in 1978–79.
The champions of the WIHL received the Shore-Montgomery Trophy, donated by movie stars Dinah Shore
and George Montgomery in 1946. It is now on display in the Trail Sports Hall of Memories.
Note: In 1948-49 and 1949-50 the Trail Smoke Eaters advanced to the British Columbia playoffs because Spokane was not eligible for the Allan Cup.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
league that featured teams from the Western United States
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
and Western Canada
Western Canada
Western Canada, also referred to as the Western provinces and commonly as the West, is a region of Canada that includes the four provinces west of the province of Ontario.- Provinces :...
. It operated from 1946–62 and 1963–88. It grew out of the West Kootenay League
West Kootenay League
The West Kootenay League, also referred to as the West Kootenay Hockey League , is a defunct senior men's ice hockey league that operated in eastern British Columbia from 1922–1941, and also during the 1945-46 season...
, which operated in southeast British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
from the 1920s.
The league had teams in the British Columbian cities of Trail
Trail, British Columbia
Trail is a city in the West Kootenay region of the Interior of British Columbia, Canada.-Geography:Trail has an area of . The city is located on both banks of the Columbia River, approximately 10 km north of the United States border. This section of the Columbia River valley is located between the...
, Nelson
Nelson, British Columbia
Nelson is a city located in the Selkirk Mountains on the extreme West Arm of Kootenay Lake in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada. Known as "The Queen City", and acknowledged for its impressive collection of restored heritage buildings from its glory days in a regional silver rush,...
, Kimberley
Kimberley, British Columbia
Kimberley is a small city in southeast British Columbia, Canada along Highway 95A between the Purcell and Rocky Mountains. Kimberley was named in 1896 after the Kimberley mine in South Africa. From 1917 to 2001, it was the home to the world's largest lead-zinc mine, the Sullivan Mine...
, Rossland
Rossland, British Columbia
Rossland is a city in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia.Tucked high in the Monashee Mountains, Rossland is at an elevation of 1023 metres . Population today is approximately 3500; a number that fluctuates from season to season. The population is at its peak during the winter...
, Fernie
Fernie, British Columbia
Fernie is a city in the Elk Valley area of the East Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, Canada, located on BC Highway 3 on the eastern approaches to the Crowsnest Pass through the Rocky Mountains...
, and Cranbrook
Cranbrook, British Columbia
Cranbrook, British Columbia is a city in southeast British Columbia, located on the west side of the Kootenay River at its confluence with the St. Mary's River, It is the largest urban centre in the region known as the East Kootenay. As of 2006, Cranbrook's population is 18,267, and the...
; in Spokane, Washington
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
; Calgary, Alberta; Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
; and Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. The league did not operate in 1962–63 while the Trail Smoke Eaters
Trail Smoke Eaters
The Trail Smoke Eaters are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Trail, British Columbia, Canada. They are a part of the British Columbia Hockey League.-History:...
competed for the world amateur championship overseas.
At various times in the 1950s and 1960s the league had an interlocking schedule with the Okanagan Senior League
Okanagan Senior League
The Okanagan Senior Hockey League is a defunct Canadian ice hockey league that operated for 10 seasons within the Okanagan region of British Columbia. This league is notable as it played hockey at the highest amateur level in North America...
and the Alberta Senior Hockey League
Alberta Senior Hockey League
The Alberta Senior Hockey League or ASHL was a senior level ice hockey league that operated between 1936 and 1941 in Alberta, Canada. In 1941 the league ceased operations due to World War II....
. It also played matches against the Pacific Hockey League
Pacific Hockey League
The Pacific Hockey League was a low-level minor professional hockey league that existed for two seasons in 1977-78, and 1978-79. Its member teams from California, Arizona and Washington states, replaced the void left by defunct World Hockey Association franchises, with some teams sharing the names...
in 1978–79.
The champions of the WIHL received the Shore-Montgomery Trophy, donated by movie stars Dinah Shore
Dinah Shore
Dinah Shore was an American singer, actress, and television personality...
and George Montgomery in 1946. It is now on display in the Trail Sports Hall of Memories.
Teams
- Calgary Stampeders (1978–79)
- Cranbrook RoyalsCranbrook RoyalsThe Cranbrook Royals were a senior men's ice hockey team that played in the Western International Hockey League from 1965 to 1987.Prior to the commencement of the 1965–66 WIHL season it was announced that the Cranbrook Royals would be added to the league, with the result being that the WIHL would...
(1965–88) - Elk Valley BlazersElk Valley BlazersThe Elk Valley Blazers were a senior men's ice hockey team that played out of Fernie, British Columbia. They played in the Western International Hockey League from 1979 until the league folded in 1988. They won the last league championship and the Savage Cup in 1987-88....
(1979–88) - Kimberley DynamitersKimberley Dynamiters (WIHL)The Kimberley Dynamiters are a defunct Senior Amateur ice hockey club that played from 1946-1981 in the Western International Hockey League ....
- Los Angeles RamblersLos Angeles RamblersThe Los Angeles Ramblers were a senior men's ice hockey team that played one season in the Western International Hockey League.-Background:...
(1946–47) - Nelson Maple LeafsNelson Maple LeafsThe Nelson Maple Leafs were a senior men's ice hockey team. They won the British Columbia Senior Championship, the Savage Cup, seven times . They played in, but lost, the 1965 Allan Cup Final....
(1946–62, 1963–87) - Portland BuckaroosPortland BuckaroosThe Portland Buckaroos was the name of several professional ice hockey teams based in Portland, Oregon.-PCHL/NWHL era :The first incarnation of Portland Buckaroos played their home games at the Portland Ice Arena. The Buckaroos initially played in the four-team Pacific Coast Hockey League from...
(1974–75) - Rossland WarriorsRossland WarriorsThe Rossland Warriors were a senior men's ice hockey team that operated out of Rossland, British Columbia. They played in the Western International Hockey League for ten seasons, from 1956-1967...
- Spokane SpartansSpokane SpartansThe Spokane Spartans are a defunct senior men’s ice hockey from Spokane, Washington. They played in the Western International Hockey League for two seasons, 1946-47 and 1947-48....
(1946–48) - Spokane FlyersSpokane Flyers (senior)The Spokane Flyers are a defunct senior ice hockey team from Spokane, Washington. They played in the Western International Hockey League from 1948-49 to the 1979-80.1949-50: National Senior Champions...
(1948-58,1974-78,1979-80) - Spokane JetsSpokane JetsThe Spokane Jets were a senior men's ice hockey team that played out of Spokane, Washington. They played in the Western International Hockey League from 1963-64 through 1973-74.Prior to 1963 the Spokane Flyers were the city's entry in the WIHL...
(1963-74) - Spokane ChiefsSpokane Chiefs (WIHL)The Spokane Chiefs are a defunct senior ice hockey team that played in the Western International Hockey League from 1982 to 1985. They were the 1984-85 Champions of the WIHL.-Championships:...
(1982–1985) - Trail Smoke EatersTrail Smoke Eaters (senior)The Trail Smoke Eaters were a senior level men's ice hockey team from Trail, British Columbia that played from 1926 to 1987. They are recognized as being one of the best senior hockey teams in Canadian history...
(1946–62, 1963–84, 1985–87)
Regular season champions
- 1946-47 Kimberley Dynamiters
- 1947-48 Trail Smoke Eaters
- 1948-49 Spokane Flyers (league title)
- 1949-50 Spokane Flyers (league title)
- 1950-51 Trail Smoke Eaters
- 1951-52 Trail Smoke Eaters
- 1952-53 Spokane Flyers
- 1953-54 Nelson Maple Leafs
- 1954-55 Kimberley Dynamiters
- 1955-56 Spokane Flyers
- 1956-57 Spokane Flyers
- 1957-58 Rossland Warriors
- 1958-59 Nelson Maple Leafs
- 1959-60 Trail Smoke Eaters
- 1960-61 Nelson Maple Leafs
- 1961-62 Trail Smoke Eaters (won 1962 Allan Cup1962 Allan CupThe 1962 Allan Cup was the Canadian national senior ice hockey championship for the 1961-62 Senior "A" season. The event was hosted by the Trail Smoke Eaters and Trail, British Columbia...
) - 1963-64 Kimberley Dynamiters
- 1964-65 Nelson Maple Leafs
- 1965-66 Kimberley Dynamiters
- 1966-67 Nelson Maple Leafs
- 1967-68 Spokane Jets
- 1968-69 Spokane Jets
- 1969-70 Spokane Jets (won 1970 Allan Cup1970 Allan CupThe 1970 Allan Cup was the Canadian national senior ice hockey championship for the 1969-70 Senior "A" season. The event was hosted by the Spokane Jets in Spokane, Washington...
) - 1970-71 Nelson Maple Leafs
- 1971-72 Spokane Jets (won 1972 Allan Cup1972 Allan CupThe 1972 Allan Cup was the Canadian national senior ice hockey championship for the 1971-72 Senior "A" season. The event was hosted by the Spokane Jets and Spokane, Washington with Kimberley, British Columbia...
) - 1972-73 Spokane Jets
- 1973-74 Cranbrook Royals
- 1974-75 Spokane Flyers
- 1975-76 Spokane Flyers (won 1976 Allan Cup1976 Allan CupThe 1976 Allan Cup was the Canadian national senior ice hockey championship for the 1975-76 Senior "A" season. The event was hosted by the Spokane Flyers in Spokane, Washington. The 1976 playoff marked the 68th time that the Allan Cup has been awarded....
) - 1976-77 Spokane Flyers
- 1977-78 Kimberley Dynamiters (won 1978 Allan Cup1978 Allan CupThe 1978 Allan Cup was the Canadian national senior ice hockey championship for the 1977-78 Senior "A" season. The event was hosted by the Kimberley Dynamiters in Kimberley, British Columbia...
) - 1978-79 Trail Smoke Eaters
- 1979-80 Spokane Flyers (won 1980 Allan Cup1980 Allan CupThe 1980 Allan Cup was the Canadian national senior ice hockey championship for the 1979-80 Senior "A" season. The event was hosted by the Spokane Flyers in Spokane, Washington...
) - 1980-81 Kimberley Dynamiters
- 1981-82 Cranbrook Royals (won 1982 Allan Cup1982 Allan CupThe 1982 Allan Cup was the Canadian national senior ice hockey championship for the 1981-82 Senior "A" season. The event was hosted by the Cranbrook Royals in Cranbrook, British Columbia. The 1982 playoff marked the 74th time that the Allan Cup has been awarded.-Teams:*Petrolia Squires *Cranbrook...
) - 1982-83 Trail Smoke Eaters
- 1983-84 Spokane Chiefs
- 1984-85 Spokane Chiefs
- 1985-86 Nelson Maple Leafs
- 1986-87 Nelson Maple Leafs
- 1987-88 Elk Valley Blazers
Note: In 1948-49 and 1949-50 the Trail Smoke Eaters advanced to the British Columbia playoffs because Spokane was not eligible for the Allan Cup.