United States Hockey League
Current season or competition: 2011–12 USHL season |
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| Sport | Ice Hockey |
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| Founded | 1947 |
| Commissioner | Ellis T. "Skip" Prince |
| No. of teams | 16 |
| Country(ies) | USA |
| Most recent champion(s) | Green Bay Gamblers |
| Most titles | (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 16 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 Green Bay Gamblers, as the champions of the playoffs, took the 2011–2012 Clark Cup Championship in their 18th season, defeating the Western Conference Champion Waterloo Blackhawks 3 games to 2. The final game was played in front of a crowd of 7,006 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Green Bay Gamblers also won the Anderson Cup as the 2011-2012 regular season champions.
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Operations
The United States Hockey League (USHL) is the country's top junior hockey league, classified as Tier I. Like comparable entities such as the Canadian Hockey League (CHL)'s three member leagues, the USHL offers a schedule of high-level, competitive games for top players aged 16 to 20. Unlike the CHL it does not pay a stipend to its players, who thus retain amateur status and are eligible to play in the NCAA.
USHL teams, which are typically located in mid-sized cities like Green Bay, Wisconsin and Lincoln, Nebraska, pay for all uniforms and equipment. Players live with local families, who receive a small stipend for food expenses, and either continue school or work part-time jobs. Due to their schedules more than 90% of games are on weekends, which many NHL and college scouts attend. As of 2007 average attendance for games was about 3,000.
One hockey analyst stated that the USHL's first line players are as good as their counterparts in the CHL—historically a important producer of NHL players—but that the Canadian league has better third and fourth lines. In 2006, 155 USHL players committed to NCAA Division I hockey teams, while Trevor Lewis, the 17th pick in the NHL Entry Draft, was the first USHL player to sign an NHL contract immediately after playing in the league.
Teams
History
Precursors to this league were:
- American Amateur Hockey League (1947–52)
- Central Hockey League (1952–53)
- Minnesota Hockey League (1953–55)
- Central Hockey League (1955–60)
The American Amateur Hockey League was established in 1947 as the Minnesota-based American Amateur Hockey League with teams in Minneapolis, Rochester and St. Paul. Since its debut, the league has progressed and changed its name several times: In 1952, it became the Central Hockey League; then the next season it became the Minnesota Hockey League; and in 1956 the name was changed again to the Central Hockey League. In 1961, it adopted its present name, the United States Hockey League (USHL), but operated as a minor professional league until 1979.
1961–79
The United States Hockey League (USHL) operated as a senior ice hockey league 1961 to 1979.
The USHL welcomed the first female professional hockey player in 1969–70, when the Marquette Iron Rangers signed Karen Koch.
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.
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". 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.
Teams
1979 – present
Defunct Junior Teams
| Team | City | Years |
| Austin Mavericks | Austin, Minnesota | 1977–1985 |
| Danville Wings | Danville, Illinois | 2003–2004 |
| Dubuque Fighting Saints | Dubuque, Iowa | 1980–2001 |
| Fargo-Moorhead Bears | Fargo, North Dakota | 1995–1996 |
| Fargo-Moorhead Ice Sharks | Fargo, North Dakota | 1996–2000 |
| Green Bay Bobcats | Green Bay, Wisconsin | 1958–1981 |
| Hennepin Nordiques | Minneapolis, Minnesota | 1979–1980 |
| Minneapolis Stars | Minneapolis/Bloomington, Minnesota | 1977–1985 |
| North Iowa Huskies | Mason City, Iowa | 1983–1999 |
| Ohio Junior Blue Jackets | Columbus, Ohio | 2006–2008 |
| Rochester Mustangs | Rochester, Minnesota | 1985–2002 |
| St. Louis Heartland Eagles | Chesterfield, Missouri | 2003–2004 |
| Twin Cities/St. Paul Vulcans | St. Paul/Bloomington, Minnesota | 1977–2000 |
| Thunder Bay Flyers | Thunder Bay, Ontario | 1984–2000 |
| Topeka ScareCrows | Topeka, Kansas | 2001–2003 |
| Tulsa Crude | Tulsa, Oklahoma | 2001–2002 |
| Madison/Wisconsin Capitols | Madison, Wisconsin | 1984–1995 |
Timeline of junior league teams
- 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 will begin operations.
- 2009–10 United States National Development Team (Team USA) rejoins league as fully competitive member. Youngstown Phantoms expansion team added. Omaha Lancers relocate back to Omaha, Ne.
- 2010–11 Dubuque Fighting Saints rejoin league and Muskegon Lumberjacks join league as expansion teams.
Awards
Alumni
League records
Team
- Most points in a season – 98 by Green Bay Gamblers in 2011–12 season.
- 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.
- Most road wins in a season - 25 by Green Bay Gamblers in 2011-12 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
References
- ^ a b c Allen, Kevin (2007-02-06). "Youngsters hoping to realize hockey dreams". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/2007-02-05-ushl-cover_x.htm. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
- ^ 1947–48 American Amateur Hockey League [AAHL] standings at. Hockeydb.com. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
- ^ Marquette Iron Rnagers: History. Marquetteironrangers.com (June 1, 1964). Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
- ^ United States Hockey League [USHL] seasons at. Hockeydb.com. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
- ^ www.marquetteironrangers.com. www.marquetteironrangers.com. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Sioux City Musketeers hockey team of the USHL at. Hockeydb.com. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
- ^ Green Bay Bobcats hockey team of the USHL at. Hockeydb.com. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
- ^ Anoka Nordiques hockey team of the USHL at. Hockeydb.com. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
- ^ Waterloo Black Hawks hockey team of the USHL at. Hockeydb.com. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
- ^ Austin Mavericks hockey team of the USHL at. Hockeydb.com. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
- ^ Bloomington Junior Stars hockey team of the USHL at. Hockeydb.com. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
- ^ St. Paul Vulcans hockey team of the USHL at. Hockeydb.com. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
- ^ 1978–79 United States Hockey League [USHL] standings at. Hockeydb.com. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
- ^ 1968–69 United States Hockey League [USHL] standings at. Hockeydb.com. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
- ^ Santa's Village by Phillip L. Wenz, Published by Arcadia Publishing, 2007 ISBN 0-7385-4149-4, ISBN 978-0-7385-4149-5
- ^ 1961–62 United States Hockey League [USHL] standings at. Hockeydb.com (January 16, 1962). Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
- ^ http://www.murraywilliamson.org/Pages/1968.aspx
- ^ St Paul Vulcans Hockey History. Vintageminnesotahockey.com. Retrieved on October 17, 2011.
- USHL 2006–07 Media Guide
External links
- USHL website
- 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
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