Ice Warriors: The Pacific Coast/Western Hockey League, 1948-1974Technically it was a minor league, but for hockey fans west of the Mississippi, the Western Hockey League provided major-league entertainment for over 25 years. The WHL was a determined and ambitious professional league, with some 22 teams based in major American and Canadian cities. Known as the Pacific Coast Hockey League prior to 1952, the WHL aspired to establish itself as North America's second major league, a western counterpart to the early eastern Canada-based National Hockey League. But it never quite managed to make the jump to the majors. Ice Warriors is a play-by-play history of the Western Hockey League, recalling the league's beginnings as the Pacific Coast League, how it came to rival the NHL and what led to its disbanding in 1974. By interviewing former players, coaches and fans, and examining statistical records, Jon C. Stott captures the WHL's glory days and pays tribute to a time when hockey was played with heart. |
Contents
Discovering the Pacific CoastWestern Hockey League | 9 |
194849 to 195051 | 15 |
195152 to 195455 | 38 |
195556 to 195859 | 66 |
195960 to 196263 | 99 |
196364 to 196667 | 128 |
196768 to 196970 | 155 |
197071 to 197374 | 179 |
A League for Its Times | 215 |
Endnotes | 223 |
Bibliography | 249 |
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Andy Hebenton Angeles announced Arena Art Jones assists AWARDS MOST VALUABLE Bill MacFarland Bob Barlow Bud Poile Calgary career centre championship cities club Coast Division Coley Hall defeated defenceman Denver Dorohoy earned Edmonton Journal fans Fashoway finals finished franchise GENTLEMANLY PLAYER goalie goals Guyle Fielder Guyle Fielder Sea home games INDIVIDUAL LEADERS POINTS Kinasewich Larry later LEADING GOALTENDER league's Lester Patrick Cup Lucien Dechene Madigan Maple Leafs McLeod minor-league National Hockey League overtime owners penalty minutes Playoffs Phil Maloney Phoenix played Port Prairie Division professional hockey puck Regular season Roadrunners rookie Royals Salt Lake San Diego San Francisco Sandy Hucul Saskatoon scored Seals Seattle's second all-star team second team SEMIFINALS shutouts Spokane Stampeders team's teammates three games valuable player Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Sun Vancouver's Victoria Cougars Western Hockey League Westminster WHL teams WHL's winger Winnipeg York Rangers