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The [[Green Bay Gamblers]] won the 2009-10 Clark Cup championship, defeating the [[Fargo Force]] 3 games to 2 in the finals. The Gamblers also won the Anderson Cup that season. |
The [[Green Bay Gamblers]] won the 2009-10 Clark Cup championship, defeating the [[Fargo Force]] 3 games to 2 in the finals. The Gamblers also won the Anderson Cup that season. |
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| − | The league announced the addition of an expansion team based in [[Bloomington, IL]], to be called the [[Bloomigton Thunder]] for the league's 2014-15 season. This team will probably replace the city's [[Southern Professional Hockey League]] team which has had difficulties in its one season in the league. The league had previously awarded and expansion team to [[Madison,Wisconsin]] to be called the [[Madison Capitols]] |
+ | The league announced the addition of an expansion team based in [[Bloomington, IL]], to be called the [[Bloomigton Thunder]] for the league's 2014-15 season. This team will probably replace the city's [[Southern Professional Hockey League]] team which has had difficulties in its one season in the league. The league had previously awarded and expansion team to [[Madison,Wisconsin]] to be called the [[Madison Capitols]]. |
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| + | The President/Commissioner of the league, Bob Fallon stated in an interview with "The Pipeline Show" that the league was looking at the [[Indiana Ice]] returning for the 2016-17 season and the look was looking at the possibility of expanding by two teams for the 2017-18 season. He stated that the expansion would not be outside of the current footprint of the league. Putting an end to speculation that the league was looking to expand further east than [[Youngstown, Ohio]]. Specifically stating that Youngstown is the furthest eastern team within the league, and travel beyond that is not likely to happen. |
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:''See also: [[List of USHL Seasons]].'' |
:''See also: [[List of USHL Seasons]].'' |
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Revision as of 22:56, 27 May 2015
For the defunct leagues of the same name, please see United States Hockey League (1945–1951) and United States Hockey League (1961-1979).
| United States Hockey League | |
| |
| Sport | Ice Hockey |
| Founded | 1947 |
| CEO | Ellis T. "Skip" Prince |
| No. of teams | 14 |
| Country(ies) |  United States
|
| Most recent champion(s) | Sioux Falls Stampede |
| Most championship(s) | (overall) Waterloo Black Hawks (9) (Clark Cup era) Omaha Lancers (7) |
| Official website | www.ushl.com |
The United States Hockey League (USHL) is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 14 member teams located in the midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger. The USHL is strictly amateur, allowing former USHL players to compete in NCAA college hockey. The league is based out of Chicago, IL
The Sioux Falls Stampede won the 2006-07 USHL championship in an expanded, 12-team playoff format. The league reverted to an 8-team divisional playoff format for the 2007-08 season.
The Indiana Ice won the 2008-09 Clark Cup championship, defeating the Fargo Force 3 games to 1 in the finals. The Ice defeated the Anderson Cup champion Green Bay Gamblers in the semi-finals.
The Green Bay Gamblers won the 2009-10 Clark Cup championship, defeating the Fargo Force 3 games to 2 in the finals. The Gamblers also won the Anderson Cup that season.
The league announced the addition of an expansion team based in Bloomington, IL, to be called the Bloomigton Thunder for the league's 2014-15 season. This team will probably replace the city's Southern Professional Hockey League team which has had difficulties in its one season in the league. The league had previously awarded and expansion team to Madison,Wisconsin to be called the Madison Capitols.
The President/Commissioner of the league, Bob Fallon stated in an interview with "The Pipeline Show" that the league was looking at the Indiana Ice returning for the 2016-17 season and the look was looking at the possibility of expanding by two teams for the 2017-18 season. He stated that the expansion would not be outside of the current footprint of the league. Putting an end to speculation that the league was looking to expand further east than Youngstown, Ohio. Specifically stating that Youngstown is the furthest eastern team within the league, and travel beyond that is not likely to happen.
- See also: List of USHL Seasons.
United States Hockey League (1961-1979)
The United States Hockey League (USHL) operated as a senior ice hockey league 1961 to 1979.[1]
The USHL welcomed the first female professional hockey player in 1969-70, when the Marquette Iron Rangers signed Karen Koch.[2]
By the late 1970s, the USHL had fallen on hard times. In the summer of 1977, clubs from the recently folded Midwest Junior Hockey League contacted the USHL. A unique merger was formed, with the three junior teams (Bloomington Junior Stars, Austin Mavericks, St. Paul Vulcans) and three remaining pro teams (Sioux City Musketeers, Waterloo Black Hawks, Green Bay Bobcats) gathered under the USHL banner. League governors decided on a two-division format, with the junior-aged teams in the Midwest Division and the professionals in the U.S. Division. The teams played an interlocking schedule that was, predictably, dominated by the professionals. The USHL's split existence would last just two seasons. The minor-pro wing of the league folded following the 1978-79 season, providing junior hockey operators with the opportunity to redefine the circuit. The 1979-80 season was the league's first as an entirely junior arrangement.[3]
The league's last season as a senior hockey league was 1978-79. During this final season the league comprised seven teams in two conferences. The U.S. Conference (with the Green Bay Bobcats, the Sioux City Musketeers and the Waterloo Black Hawks); while the Midwest Conference (with the Anoka Nordiques, the Austin Mavericks, the Bloomington Junior Stars, and the St. Paul Vulcans. All seven teams were made up with players categorized as "Senior Amateur".[4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Following the 1978-79 season the senior league teams in the U.S. Conference folded and the USHL became an all-junior league the following season.[11]
Teams
Current teams
| East Division | ||
| Team | Founded | City |
|---|---|---|
| Bloomington Thunder | 2014-15 | Bloomington, IL |
| Cedar Rapids RoughRiders | 1999-00 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
| Chicago Steel | 2000-01 | Bensenville, Illinois |
| Green Bay Gamblers | 1994-95 | Green Bay, Wisconsin |
| Muskegon Lumberjacks | 2010-11 | Muskegon, Michigan |
| USA Hockey National Team Development Program | 1996-97 | Plymouth, Michigan |
| Youngstown Phantoms | 2009-10 | Youngstown, Ohio |
| West Division | ||
| Team | Founded | City |
| Des Moines Buccaneers | 1980-81 | Urbandale, Iowa |
| Dubuque Fighting Saints | 2010-11 | Dubuque, Iowa |
| Fargo Force | 2008-09 | Fargo, North Dakota |
| Lincoln Stars | 1996-97 | Lincoln, Nebraska |
| Madison Capitols | 2014-15 | Madison,Wisconsin |
| Omaha Lancers | 1986-87 | Omaha, Nebraska |
| Sioux City Musketeers | 1972-73 | Sioux City, Iowa |
| Sioux Falls Stampede | 1999-00 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota |
| Tri-City Storm | 2000-01 | Kearney, Nebraska |
| Waterloo Black Hawks | 1962-63 | Waterloo, Iowa |
| Inactive Members | ||
| Team | Founded | City |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Ice | 2003-2004 | Indianapolis, Indiana |
Defunct Junior Teams
Timeline of junior league teams
USHL team locations.
- 1977-78 The St.. Paul Vulcans begin play in the mixed level league.
- 1978-79 The Anoka Nordiques begin play in the mixed level league. They are replaced by the Hennepin Nordiques for the 1979-80 season
- 1979-80 The USHL becomes an all-junior league with seven teams in two divisions. North Division: Hennepin Nordiques, Bloomington Jr. Stars, Green Bay Bobcats, and St. Paul Vulcans. South Division: Austin Mavericks, Sioux City Musketeers, and Waterloo Black Hawks.
- 1980-81 Des Moines Buccaneers enter the league. Waterloo Black Hawks move to Dubuque and become the Fighting Saints. Hennepin Nordiques move to Waterloo and become the Black Hawks. North Division: Austin, Bloomington, Green Bay, and St. Paul. South Division: Des Moines, Dubuque, Sioux City, and Waterloo.
- 1981-82 Green Bay folds. The remaining seven teams merge into one division.
- 1983-84 North Iowa Huskies enter league.
- 1984-85 Madison Capitols and Thunder Bay Flyers enter league. Bloomington changes name to Minneapolis Stars.
- 1985-86 Minneapolis folds. Austin relocates to Rochester and renamed Mustangs.
- 1986-87 Omaha Lancers enter league.
- 1991-92 Madison changes name to Wisconsin Capitols.
- 1994-95 Green Bay Gamblers enter league.
- 1995-96 Wisconsin folds. Fargo-Moorhead Bears enter league. St. Paul changes name to Twin Cities Vulcans.
- 1996-97 Fargo-Moorhead Bears disband. Fargo-Moorhead Ice Sharks enter league. Lincoln Stars enter league. League returns to divisional play. North Division: Fargo-Moorhead, Green Bay, North Iowa, Rochester, Thunder Bay, Twin Cities. South Division: Des Moines, Dubuque, Lincoln, Omaha, Sioux City, Waterloo.
- 1997-98 USA Hockey National Team Development Program plays 24-game schedule in the USHL.
- 1998-99 USHL agrees to play full-season schedule with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program as part of a two-year agreement. League moves to three-division format. East Division: Dubuque, Green Bay, Team USA, and Waterloo. Central Division: Des Moines, North Iowa, Rochester, Thunder Bay, and Twin Cities. West Division: Fargo-Moorhead, Lincoln, Omaha, and Sioux City.
- 1999-00 Sioux Falls Stampede enters league. North Iowa relocates to Cedar Rapids and renamed the RoughRiders. League moves to two-division format. West Division: Des Moines, Fargo-Moorhead, Lincoln, Omaha, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Twin Cities. East Division: Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Green Bay, Rochester, Thunder Bay, USA Development, Waterloo.
- 2000-01 Thunder Bay ceases operations. Fargo-Moorhead moves to Bensenville, IL and becomes the Chicago Steel. Twin Cities relocates to Kearney, NE and is renamed the Tri-City Storm. Team USA plays 34-game league schedule.
- 2001-02 Dubuque Fighting Saints relocate to Tulsa, Oklahoma and become the Tulsa Crude. Topeka, KS gains an expansion team called the Topeka ScareCrows.
- 2002-03 Rochester ceases operations. Tulsa ceases operations. Omaha relocates to Council Bluffs, IA., and changes its name to the River City Lancers.
- 2003-04 Danville Wings enter the league. Topeka moves to St. Louis and becomes the Heartland Eagles.
- 2004-05 Danville moves to Indianapolis and becomes the Indiana Ice. St. Louis granted one-year suspension of operations.
- 2005-06 River City Lancers change name back to Omaha Lancers.
- 2006-07 Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets join the league after purchasing the membership of the former Thunder Bay Flyers.
- 2007-08 Ohio Jr. Blue Jackets cease operations at the conclusion of the season.
- 2008-09 Fargo Force began operations.
- 2009-10 United States National Development Team (Team USA) re-join league as fully competitive member. Youngstown Phantoms expansion team added.
- 2010-11 Dubuque Fighting Saints rejoin league and Muskegon Lumberjacks join league after city's IHL team moves out of town.
- 2014-15 Madison, Wisconsin announced as an expansion team on August 5, 2013 to be named the Madison Capitols (after a previous USHL franchise). Bloomington, Illinois awarded an expansion team on April 1, 2014 to be named the Bloomington Thunder. The Indiana Ice take a leave of absence when the city gets an ECHL franchise
Awards
Alumni
- Selections in the top three rounds of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft
- Louis Leblanc (Omaha Lancers), 18th overall by Montreal Canadiens
- John Moore (Chicago Steel), 21st overall by Columbus Bluejackets
- Alex Chiasson (Des Moines Buccaneers), 38th overall by Dallas Stars
- Philip Samuelsson (Chicago Steel), 61st overall by Pittsburgh Penguins
- Josh Birkholz (Fargo Force), 67th overall by Florida Panthers
- Michael Lee (Fargo Force), 91st overall by Phoenix Coyotes
- Selections in the top three rounds of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft
- John Carlson (Indiana Ice), 27th overall by Washington Capitals
- Patrick Wiercioch (Omaha Lancers), 42nd overall by Ottawa Senators
- Jimmy Hayes (Lincoln Stars), 60th overall by Toronto Maple Leafs
- Steve Quailer (Sioux City Musketeers), 86th overall by Montreal Canadiens
- Scott Winkler (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders), 89th overall by Dallas Stars
- Max Nicastro (Chicago Steel), 91st overall by Detroit Red Wings
League records
Team
- Most points in a season – 98 by Green Bay Gamblers in 2011-12 and Dubuque Fighting Saints in 2012-13
- Most wins in a season – 48 by Des Moines Buccaneers in 1998–99 season.
- Most losses in a season – 48 by Omaha Lancers in 1986–87 season.
- Longest winning streak - 19 by Des Moines Buccaneers between November 1, 1998 and January 6, 1999.
Individual
- Most points in a season - 135 by Tim Ferguson of Sioux City Musketeers in 1985–86 season.
- Most goals in a season – 67 by Rod Taylor of Sioux City Musketeers in 1985–86 season.
- Most assists in a season - 79 by Tim Ferguson of Sioux City Musketeers in 1985–86 season.
- Most PIMs in a season – 316 by Chad Stauffacher of Green Bay Gamblers in 1996–97 season.
See Also
List of American Junior Seasons
References
- ↑ http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/250.html
- ↑ www.marquetteironrangers.com
- ↑ http://www.ushl.com/about/history.cfm
- ↑ http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/sioux-city-musketeers-8023.html
- ↑ http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/green-bay-bobcats-5917.html
- ↑ http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/anoka-nordiques-4651.html
- ↑ http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/waterloo-black-hawks-8879.html
- ↑ http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/austin-mavericks-4712.html
- ↑ http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/bloomington-junior-stars-4900.html
- ↑ http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/st.-paul-vulcans-8234.html
- ↑ http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/ushl19621979.html
- USHL 2006-07 Media Guide
External links
- USHL website
- Maps to USHL arenas
- Semi-Pro season standings 1947-1960
- Semi-Pro season standings 1961-1979
- Amateur season standings 1979-2007
- USHL Team Logos 1961-1979
- History of former USHL member Green Bay Bobcats
- History of former USHL member Marquette Iron Rangers
- History of former USHL member St. Paul/Twin City Vulcans
- History of former USHL member Rochester Mustangs
- List of USHL (junior league) alumni who are playing in the NHL or currently under NHL contract
| United States Hockey League | |
|---|---|
| East Division | Cedar Rapids RoughRiders · Central Illinois Flying Aces · Chicago Steel · Dubuque Fighting Saints · Green Bay Gamblers · Madison Capitols · Muskegon Lumberjacks · US National Team Development Program · Youngstown Phantoms |
| West Division | Des Moines Buccaneers · Fargo Force · Lincoln Stars · Omaha Lancers · Sioux City Musketeers · Sioux Falls Stampede · Tri-City Storm · Waterloo Black Hawks |
| Related articles: Clark Cup · Anderson Cup · Annual awards · NHL alumni · NHL draftees | |