Big Six Intermediate Hockey League

The Big Six Intermediate Hockey League (BSIHL) was a Intermediate 'A' hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The League played under the sanction of the Manitoba Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA), in affiliation with the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA).

History
Officially the Big Six was born on Sunday October 23, 1949 with 5 teams, Brandon College joined within days.

League Champions
The winner of the McKenzie Trophy
 * 1950 Dauphin Kings
 * 1951 Dauphin Kings
 * 1952 Dauphin Kings
 * 1953 Dauphin Kings
 * 1954 Dauphin Kings
 * 1955 Brandon Wheat Kings
 * 1956 Minnedosa Jets
 * 1957 Pine Falls Paper Kings

MAHA Format
The winner of the Big Six entered Provincials, playing in the Intermediate 'A' semi finals. The winner advancing to the Intermediate 'A' final for the Manitoba Intermediate 'A' Championship. The Intermediate 'A' Champs received the McDiarmid Shield. The road out of Manitoba didn't end there, the Intermediate 'A' Champs played the Intermediate 'B' Champs, for the Intermediate Provincial crown and the right to advance to the CAHA Playoffs. Starting with the 1954-55 season, the Big Six Champions advanced directly to the Intermediate 'A' final. The 1956-57 season saw the introduction of Intermediate ‘AA’ status, which all Big Six teams received. With only 1 other team in Manitoba receiving 'AA' status, the MAHA combined the Provincial 'AA' playoffs with the Big Six playoffs.

Manitoba Champions

 * 1951 Dauphin Kings
 * 1952 Dauphin Kings
 * 1953 Dauphin Kings
 * 1954 Dauphin Kings
 * 1955 Brandon Wheat Kings
 * 1956 Minnedosa Jets
 * 1957 Pine Falls Paper Kings

CAHA Format
From 52 to 56, the winner of Manitoba played the winner of Saskatchewan, before advancing to the Western semi final. North West Ontario was the opposition in the Western semi final, with the winner advancing to the Western Canadian Intermediate final for the Edmonton Journal Trophy. There was no Canadian Championship during the Big Six existence.

Edmonton Journal Trophy Champions

 * 1952 Dauphin Kings
 * 1954 Dauphin Kings
 * 1955 Brandon Wheat Kings
 * 1957 Pine Falls Paper Kings

Awards

 * Ross Grant Trophy MVP
 * Christie Trophy Top Goaltender
 * James Creighton Trophy Scoring Champion
 * BSIHL All-Star Teams

Alumni

 * BSIHLers who played in the NHL

Also see

 * List of BSIHL Seasons