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BSHL

The Big 6 Hockey League, is a senior men's hockey league founded in December of 1959.  The is based out of the southeastern portion of Saskatchewan

A previous league with the same name played from 1944 to 1957 in the Battleford-North Battleford area, Saskatchewan. The teams that played were Battleford 1944-1945, Legion (1945), Marymount, (1945) North Battleford-Beaver Kinsmen (1944-1945), North Battleforde-Collegiate Institute (1944), North Battleford-SFTS (1944-1945), North Battleford-St Thomas More (1944-1945) and North Battleford-Services (1944). The teams that played in 1955 were Battleford, Gaslyn, Lashburn, Maidestone, Meadow Lake, Neilburg, North Battleford-St Thomas More, Turtleford and Vawn-Edam.

Teams (as of the start of the 2024-25 season)[]

Team Centre Arena
Carlyle Cougars Carlyle Carlyle Sports Arena
Carnduff Red Devils Carnduff Carnduff Fast Centennial Arena
Kipling/Windthorst Oil Kings Kipling Kipling Arena
Midale Mustangs Midale Midale Harry O' Memorial Arena
Moosomin Rangers Moosomin Mike Schwean Arena
Oxbow Huskies Oxbow Oxbow Rink
Redvers Rockets Redvers Redvers Recreation Centre
Wawota Flyers Wawota Wawota Community Forum

Founding of league and Early History[]

The Big Six Hockey League was formed at a small meeting in a garage in Oxbow in December of 1959,when the old Soo Line Hockey League seemed to be dying. Ken John of Estevan was one of the original founders and he wrote up the league's first constitution. Other founders were Cec Papke, Estevan; Hugh Mitchell, Glen Ewen; Bill Whatmore, Frobisher; Ken Caverley, Oxbow; Clarence Ching, Oxbow; Percy Hodgson, Glen Ewen; Percy Quick, Frobisher; Hank Dntnstauder, Bienfait and R.C. Goodwin, Frobisher.

The first season the league consisted of four teams including the Bienfait Coalers, Frobisher Flyers, Glen Ewen Eagles and Oxbow Aces. The Estevan Miners took part in the league that first year, but their games were just exhibition matches and they did not take part in the playoffs.

The name for the league, according to Cec Papke of Calgary, came from the Big Six Brewery in Lethbridge, Alberta. He said that there was a Big Six League in Alberta and Manitoba and he suggested that they use the same name in Saskatchewan.

The original championship trophy, The Lincoln Trophy, which is still used today, was donated by, then resident of Bienfait, Ken Lincoln, who was the head carpenter during the construction of the Bienfait-Coalfields Memorial Arena. Ken now resides in Wawota. The Morton Burke Trophy for the League's Top Point-Getter, which is also still used today, was donated by Cec Papke at the start of the 1960/61 season and he went on to win that trophy by the end of that season, which was the league's second year of existence.

The Howard Enmark Trophy for finishing in First Place in the regular season was donated by the Bienfait Coalers at the start of the 1962-63 season. This award is another that is still in use today!

Over the years just about every small town in southeast Saskatchewan has been in the Big Six at one time or another. The number of teams in the league has risen and fallen at times and reached as many as twelve at one point. The competition has been fast and furious over the years and many rivalries have been formed as a result.

Playoff Champions[]

Season Champion Season Champion Season Champion
1959-60 Bienfait Coalers 1960-61 Midale Miners 1961-62 Bienfait Coalers
1962-63 Bienfait Coalers 1963-64 Arcola/Kisbey Combines 1964-65 Arcola/Kisbey Combines
1965-66 Carlyle Cougars 1966-67 Arcola/Kisbey Combines 1967-68 Arcola/Kisbey Combines
1968-69 Carlyle Cougars 1969-70 Carnduff Red Devils 1970-71 Bienfait Coalers
1971-72 Wawota Flyers 1972-73 Wawota Flyers 1973-74 Wawota Flyers
1974-75 Wawota Flyers 1975-76 Bienfait Coalers 1976-77 Bienfait Coalers
1977-78 Bienfait Coalers 1978-79 Carnduff Red Devils 1979-80 Carnduff Red Devils
1980-81 Lampman Imperials 1981-82 Wawota Flyers 1982-83 Bienfait Coalers
1983-84 Carnduff Red Devils 1984-85 Estevan Bears 1985-86 Estevan Bears
1986-87 Estevan Bears 1987-88 Carnduff Red Devils 1988-89 Carlyle Cougars
1989-90 Carnduff Red Devils 1990-91 Carnduff Red Devils 1991-92 Carlyle Cougars
1992-93 Carnduff Red Devils 1993-94 Carnduff Red Devils 1994-95 Carlyle Cougars
1995-96 Bienfait Coalers 1996-97 Carlyle Cougars 1997-98 Arcola/Kisbey Combines
1998-99 Carlyle Cougars 1999-00 Carlyle Cougars 2000-01 Carlyle Cougars
2001-02 Bienfait Coalers 2002-03 Weyburn Devils 2003-04 Moosomin Rangers
2004-05 Wawota Flyers 2005-06 Weyburn Devils 2006-07 Carnduff Red Devils
2007-08 Midale Mustangs 2008-09 Midale Mustangs 2009-10 Midale Mustangs
2010-11 Bienfait Coalers 2011-12 Bienfait Coalers 2012-13 Bienfait Coalers
2013-14 Bienfait Coalers 2014-15 Bienfait Coalers 2015-16 Wawota Flyers
2016-17 Wawota Flyers 2017-18 Redvers Rockets 2018-19 Yellow Grass Wheat Kings
2019-20 Playoffs Cancelled 2020-21 Season Cancelled 2021-22 Carnduff Red Devils
2022-23 Redvers Rockets 2023-24 Moosomin Rangers 2024-25 TBD

External links[]


Canadian Senior Hockey (post-1971)
National/Regional Championships
Allan Cup (National AAA)
Patton Cup (Western Canada 71-91) - Bolton Cup (Eastern Canada 71-03)
McKenzie Cup (BC-AB) - Rathgaber Cup (SK-MB) - Atlantic Cup (2003-) (NB-NL-NS-PEI)
Provincial/Local Championships
Alberta - British Columbia - Manitoba - New Brunswick - Newfoundland and Labrador - Northern Ontario - Ontario Hockey Association - Ottawa - Quebec (Also Eastern

Region Allan Cup Qualifier) - Saskatchewan - Thunder Bay/Gary Cook Cup/Hockey Northwestern Ontario

Current Leagues
Alberta: East Central Senior Hockey League (2012-) - North Central Hockey League (1995-) - North Peace Hockey League (also in BC, 1953-) - Ranchland Senior Hockey League (1974-) - Sask/Alta Senior Hockey League (also in SK, 1964-)


British Columbia: Central Interior Senior Hockey League (1997-) - North Peace Hockey League (also in Alberta, 1953-) - West Coast Senior AA Hockey League (2016-2018, 2023-present)

Manitoba: South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League (1952-) - Tiger Hills Hockey League (1983-)

New Brunswick: Beausejour Senior Hockey League (2019-) - Ligue de hockey Vallée-Appalaches (1991-) - Southern Senior Hockey League (2021- )

Newfoundland and Labrador: Avalon East Senior Hockey League (1967-) - Central Newfoundland Hockey League (Intermediate) (2009-) - Central/West Senior Hockey League (2014-2019; 2023-)

Nova Scotia: Major Series Hockey (2024-) - Nova Scotia Legends Hockey League (2024-) - (one team from Amherst plays in New Brunswick based Beausejour Senior Hockey League)

Ontario: Allan Cup Hockey (1991-) - Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League (2019-) - Ontario Elite Hockey League (2023-) - Ontario Super Hockey League (2024-)

Prince Edward Island: West Prince Senior Hockey League (2016-)

Quebec: Circuit Senior KRTB (2021-) - Ligue Regionale de Hockey (2016-) - Ligue de Hockey Cote-Sud (2012-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior du Lac-au-Fleuve (2017-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Élite (2005-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior A du Lac St-Louis (2022-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA de la Cote-Nord (2007-2014; 2022-) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AAA du Quebec (2017-) - Ligue de Hockey Sénior Desjardins de l'Est-du-Québec (2018-)

Saskatchewan: Big Six Senior Hockey League (1959-) - Cross Roads Hockey League (2022-) - Long Lake Senior Hockey League (1978-) - Notekeu Senior Hockey League (1958-) - Prairie Men's Hockey League (2024-) - Qu'Appelle Valley Highway Hockey League (2021-) - Sask/Alta Senior Hockey League (also in Alberta, 1964-) - Saskatchewan Prairie Senior Hockey League (2010-) - Sask East Hockey League (2020-) - Sask Valley Hockey League (1965-) - Sask West Senior Hockey League (2000-) - Treaty Six Hockey League (2004-2007; 2018-) - Twin Rivers Senior Hockey League (2016-) - Wheatland Senior Hockey League (1995-) - White Mud Senior Hockey League (1995-)

Northwest Territories: Presently have no Senior Level leagues in the territory

Nunavut: Rankin Inlet Senior Men's Hockey League (2008-)

Yukon: Presently have no Senior Level leagues in the territory
(teams in the Yukon have traditionally played under sanction of BC Hockey)

Defunct Leagues
Alberta: Alberta Major Intermediate League (1976-1987) - Beaver Hockey League (1969-1983) - Big Six Services Hockey League (1970-1975) - Allan Cup Hockey West/Chinook Hockey League (1955-2019, 2022-2024) - Battle River Hockey League (1992-2015) - Central Peace Hockey League (1986-1997) - Edmonton Central Intermediate Hockey League (1960-1976) - Edmonton Services Hockey League (1973-1974) - Henry Viney Hockey League (1972-1982) - Highwood Hockey League (1967-1972) - North Star Intermediate Hockey League (1963-1978) - Prairie Intermediate Hockey League (1973-1979) - Prairie Senior Hockey League (also in SK, 1971-1972) - South Peace Hockey League (1954-1988)


British Columbia: British Columbia Senior Hockey League (1979-1981) - Cariboo Hockey League (1955-1985) - Fraser Valley Hockey League (1971-1974) - Monashee Senior Hockey League (1970-1977) - Monashee AA Senior Hockey League (1985-1994) - North Okanagan Hockey League (1977-1982) - Northwest Hockey League (1975-1978) - Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey League (1957-1986) - Pacific Northwest Hockey League (1965-1982) - Richmond Intermediate Hockey League (1965-1975) - South Island Big Six Hockey League (1974-1980) - Vancouver Island Hockey League (1961-1975) - Victoria Intermediate Hockey League (1963-1974) - Western Amateur Hockey League (1966-1973) - Western International Hockey League (1946-1988)

Manitoba: Canadian Central Hockey League (1972-1974) - Carillon Senior Hockey League (2004-2022) - Central Amateur Senior Hockey League (1975-1989) - East Interlake Hockey League (1970-1976) - Eastman Hockey League (1998-2000) - Hanover Tache Hockey League (1958-2005) - Manitoba Aboriginal Senior Hockey League (2000-2001) - Manitoba Assiniboine Hockey League (1974-1983) - Manitoba Eastern Hockey League (1969-1977) - Manitoba Intermediate Hockey League (1971-1972) - Manitoba Northeast Senior Hockey League (1970-1989) - Manitoba Senior Hockey League (2008-2016) - North Central Hockey League (1958-2022) - Northern Intermediate Hockey League (1977-1978) - Nor-West Hockey League (1996-1997) - North West Senior Hockey League (2016-2017) - Parkland Hockey League (1964-1979) - Pembina Valley Hockey League (1970-1980) - Red River Valley Intermediate Hockey League (1980-1981) - Souris Valley Hockey League (1970-1987) - South Interlake Hockey League (1987-2008) - South Central Intermediate Hockey League (1960-1982) - SouthWest Hockey League (1956-2009) - West Interlake Hockey League (1954-1986) - Winnipeg Metro Hockey League (1973-1980) - Winnipeg Senior A Hockey League (1995-1997) - Yellowhead Intermediate Hockey League (1986-1989)

Maritimes: Maritime Senior Hockey League (1991-1992) - Northumberland Dairy Senior AAA Hockey League (1995-1998)

New Brunswick: Acadie-Gaspesie Senior Hockey League (2013-2014) - Central New Brunswick Intermediate Hockey League (1973-1977) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Acadie-Chaleur (2016-2022) - Miramichi Senior Hockey League (2000-2004) - Eastern Senior Hockey League (2001-2010) - New Brunswick Chaleur Hockey League (1991-1995) - Kent-Sud Senior Hockey League (1996-1999) - New Brunswick Eastern Hockey League (1972-1973) - New Brunswick Senior Hockey League (1968-1991) - North East Senior Hockey League (2011-2018) - North Shore Senior Hockey League (1939-1978) - North Shore Senior Hockey League (1996-2010) - Saint John Valley Senior Hockey League (2004-2005) - South Central Intermediate C Hockey League (1975-1978) - Southern New Brunswick Senior Hockey League (1962-2010) - St. John Valley Hockey League (1966-1978)

Newfoundland and Labrador: Bay St. George Senior Hockey League (1966-1984) - Corner Brook Intermediate Hockey League (1966-1984) - Deer Lake Intermediate Hockey League (1976-1985) - East Coast Senior Hockey League (2017-2020) - Newfoundland Senior Hockey League (2011-2014) - Newfoundland West Coast Senior Hockey League (2001-2011; 2016-2023) - West Newfoundland Intermediate A Hockey League (1973-1974)

Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Senior Hockey League (1982-1996) - Tri-County Senior Hockey League (1973-1988) - West Island Senior Hockey League (1991-1996)

Nunavut: Iqaluit Senior Hockey League (2009-2023)

Ontario: Carleton-Russell Intermediate B Hockey League (1976-1980) - Central Ontario Hockey League (1970-1983) - Central Senior B Hockey League (1986-1989) - Central Ontario Super Hockey League (2024-2024) Cyclone Intermediate D Hockey League (1977-1984) - Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League (2003-2008) - Georgian Bay Intermediate A Hockey League (1968-1972; 1978-1980) - HNO Senior League (2009-2012) - Major Intermediate A Hockey League (1980-1983) - Niagara Intermediate A Hockey League (1965-1979) - North Oxford Men's Hockey League (1959-2012) - Northern Senior A Hockey League (1983-1992) - ACH Senior AA G-League (2021) - OHA Intermediate C Hockey League (1973-1986) - OHA Senior A League (1890-1979) - OHA Senior A Hockey League (1972-1987) - Ottawa District Senior Hockey League (1968-1977) - Ontario Senior AA Hockey League (1983-1988) - Seaway Intermediate C Hockey League (1973-1976; 1978-1984) - Seaway-Western Intermediate C Hockey League (1976-1978) - Seaway-Cyclone Senior B Hockey League (1984-1990) - South Carleton Intermediate Hockey League (1970-1980) - Thunder Bay Hockey League (1980-1982) - Western Intermediate C Hockey League (1973-1976) - Western Ontario Super Hockey League (2021-2024) - WOAA Senior AA Hockey League (1942-2023)

Quebec: Laval Senior A Hockey League (2013-2022) - Ligue Centrale de Hockey (LCH) (2000-2008) - Ligue Hockey de la Belle Province (1970-1973) - Ligue de Hockey Beauce Bellechase Frontenac (1999-2017) - Ligue de Hockey Semi-Contact de Lotbinière (2002-2006) - Ligue de Hockey Senior de la Mauricie (1992-1996) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Majeur du Quebec (1979-85; 1994-96) - Ligue de Hockey Senior de l'Est du Quebec (2005-2010) - Ligue de hockey Senior des Îles de la Madeleine (1991-2005) - Ligue de Hockey Senior A de la Mauricie (2001-2017) - Ligue de Hockey Senior A Inter-Rives (2006-2007) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA de l'Estrie (2001-2004) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA LAB-BEC (2012-2013) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA du Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean (2002-2003) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Bas-Saint-Laurent (1994-2005) - Ligue de Hockey Senior des Cantons-de-L'Est (2011-2015) - Ligue de hockey les Cotiers de la Gaspesie (2002-2008) - Ligue de Hockey Senior des Deux Rives (2002-2003) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Montreal Metropolitain (2003-2007) - Ligue de Hockey Senior Provinciale AA (2004-2006) - Ligue de Hockey Senior AA L.D.B. du Quebec (1979-2000) - Ligue de hockey Budweiser de 'est du Quebec (2011-2013) - Montreal Senior Hockey League (1977-1980) - Outaouais Hockey League (1973-1975) - Promutuel Senior Hockey League (1999-2007) - Republican Hockey League (also in NB, 1962-1987) - Quebec Metro Senior Hockey League (1989-1991) - Quebec-Portneuf Commercial Hockey League (1990-2004) - Quebec Senior AA Hockey League (2018-2021) - Quebec Senior North-East Hockey League (2003-2007)

Prince Edward Island: Island Community Senior Hockey League (2010-2013) - Prince Edward Island Senior Hockey League (1990-1991) - Prince Edward Island Senior Hockey League (2010-2011)

Saskatchewan: 39C Hockey League (1968-1983) - 5-40 Hockey League (1962-1984) - Beaver Lakes Hockey League (1986-2018) - Big V Senior Hockey League (1954-1977) - Blackstrap Hockey League (1972-1985) - Carrot River Valley Hockey League (1950-1982) - Central Saskatchewan Intermediate Hockey League (1986-1990) - Central Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League (1988-1995) - Coteau Hills Hockey League (1951-1995) - Fishing Lake Hockey League (1953-2015) - Fort Carlton Senior Hockey League (1971-2019) - Highway Hockey League (1965-2020) - Last Mountain Hockey League (1954-1978) - North Central Saskatchewan Senior Hockey League (1968-1972) - Northern Lakes Hockey League (1966-1976) - North Saskatchewan River Hockey League (1995-2015) - Pasquia Hockey League (1977-2009) - Potash Cutarm Hockey League (1963-1975) - Qu'Appelle Valley Hockey League (1960-2021) - Right Angle Hockey League (1962-1985) - River Lake Senior Hockey League (1997-2000) - Saskatchewan Intermediate A Hockey League (1979-1983) - Saskatchewan Treaty Hockey League (2021)- Soo Line Hockey League (1980-2000) - South Central Senior Hockey League (1983-1990) - South East Senior Hockey League (1971-1973) - South Saskatchewan River Hockey League (1958-1979) - Three Rivers Hockey League (1980-1987) - Triangle Hockey League (1965-2020) - Western Saskatchewan Intermediate AA Hockey League (1966-1974) - Whiska Creek Hockey League (1980's-90's) - Wild Duck Hockey League (1961-1980) - Wild Goose Hockey League (1954-2008) - Yellowhead Hockey League (1980-2000)

Nunavut: Iqaluit Senior Hockey League (2009-2023)

Yukon: See Whitehorse Huskies (1992-1993, 2009-2010, 2014-2017)

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