History[]
The Western International Hockey League was a senior hockey league in southeastern British Columbia.
This was formerly the West Kootenay League. It changed its name when it expanded to Los Angeles and Spokane in 1946-47.
The Los Angeles team only lasted one season but the team in Spokane lasted through most of the league's history.
This was a senior league that won six Allan Cups.
Teams[]
Team |
Centre |
Arena |
Tenure |
Notes
|
Kimberley Dynamiters |
Kimberley, British Columbia |
Kimberley Arena
|
1946-1956 |
withdrew
|
Los Angeles Ramblers |
Los Angeles, California |
Pan Pacific Auditorium |
1946-1947 |
fold
|
Nelson Maple Leafs |
Nelson, British Columbia |
Nelson Civic Centre |
1946-1962 |
league suspends operations due to Trail Smoke Eaters representing Canada at 1963 World Championship
|
Spokane Spartans |
Spokane, Washington |
Spokane Arena (original) |
1946-1948 |
renamed Spokane Flyers
|
Trail Smoke Eaters |
Trail, British Columbia |
Riverside Arena (Trail) (1946-1949) Cominco Arena (1949-1961) |
1946-1961 |
withdrew in January 1961 to compete in 1961 World Championship
|
Spokane Flyers |
Spokane, Washington |
Spokane Arena (original) (1948-1954) Spokane Coliseum (1954-1958) |
1948-1958 |
fold when city gets Western Hockey League (minor pro) team
|
Rossland Warriors |
Rossland, British Columbia |
Rossland Arena |
1956-1957 |
renamed Rossland Miners
|
Rossland Miners |
Rossland, British Columbia |
Rossland Arena |
1957-1960 |
renamed Rossland Warriors
|
East Kootenay Rams |
Cranbrook, British Columbia |
Cranbrook Memorial Centre |
1961-1961 |
formed to replace Trail Smoke Eaters for balance of season
|
Rossland Warriors |
Rossland, British Columbia |
Rossland Arena |
1960-1962 |
league suspends operations due to Trail Smoke Eaters representing Canada at 1963 World Championship
|
Trail Smoke Eaters |
Trail, British Columbia |
Cominco Arena |
1961-1962 |
league suspends operations due to Trail Smoke Eaters representing Canada at 1963 World Championship
|
Kimberley Dynamiters |
Kimberley, British Columbia |
Kimberley Civic Centre |
1961-1962 |
league suspends operations due to Trail Smoke Eaters representing Canada at 1963 World Championship
|
Spokane Jets |
Spokane, Washington |
Spokane Coliseum |
1963-1974 |
renamed Spokane Flyers
|
Kimberley Dynamiters |
Kimberley, British Columbia |
Kimberley Civic Centre |
1963-1988 |
folded
|
Nelson Maple Leafs |
Nelson, British Columbia |
Nelson Civic Centre |
1963-1978 |
suspend operations December 21, 1978; return for 1979-80 season
|
Rossland Warriors |
Rossland, British Columbia |
Rossland Arena |
1963-1967 |
fold
|
Trail Smoke Eaters |
Trail, British Columbia |
Cominco Arena |
1963-1984 |
sat out 1984-85 season
|
Cranbrook Royals |
Cranbrook, British Columbia |
Cranbrook Memorial Centre |
1965-1988 |
fold
|
Spokane Flyers |
Spokane, Washington |
Spokane Coliseum |
1974-1978 |
join Pacific Hockey League
|
Portland Buckaroos |
Portland, Oregon |
Memorial Coliseum (Portland) |
1974-1975 |
join Pacific Northwest Hockey League
|
Calgary Stampeders |
Calgary, Alberta |
Stampede Corral |
1978-1979 |
folded January 7, 1979
|
Spokane Flyers |
Spokane, Washington |
Spokane Coliseum |
1979-1980 |
fold when city gets Western Hockey League team
|
Elk Valley Blazers |
Fernie, British Columbia |
Fernie Memorial Arena |
1979-1988 |
fold
|
Nelson Maple Leafs |
Nelson, British Columbia |
Nelson Civic Centre |
1979-1987 |
foled
|
Spokane Chiefs |
Spokane, Washington |
Spokane Coliseum |
1982-1985 |
fold when city gets Western Hockey League team
|
Trail Smoke Eaters |
Trail, British Columbia |
Cominco Arena |
1985-1987 |
suspend operations January 29, 1987
|
List of Champions[]
-* Won Allan Cup
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.
See also[]
List of WIHL Seasons