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For the current junior hockey league please see Eastern Hockey League (2013)


The Eastern Hockey League was a minor professional league.

Eastern Amateur Hockey League (1933-1953)[]

The league was founded in 1933 as the Eastern Amateur Hockey League (EAHL). The league was founded by Thomas Lockhart, who served as its commissioner from 1933 to 1972. Lockhart, who operated a small intramural hockey league at New York City's Madison Square Garden, offered his teams - and the use of the MSG ice - in exchange for joining the league.

The EAHL operated between 1933-1948 and 1949-1953. The league has a somewhat tenuous existence. It began with seven teams, and had various numbers of teams, going as low as four. There was no 1948-49 season, due to the New York Rovers and Boston Olympics withdrawing; thus leaving the league with two teams, the Atlantic City Sea Gulls and the Baltimore Clippers.

The league returned for the 1949-50 season with eight teams including the return of Rovers and Olympics to the league and the addition of two former IHL teams; the Milwaukee Clarks and the Toledo Buckeyes as well as two new teams (the Grand Rapids Rockets and the Cleveland Knights.  An eight team league was short lived as the Baltimore and Cleveland franchises both folded on December 4, 1949.

The 1951-52 season also saw two teams fold mid-season as the Philadelphia Falcons and the Washington Lions had been suffering from poor attenance.

Between the 1951-52 and 1952-53 seasons the league had several changes as the Boston Olympics transferred to Washington, DC asuming the Washington Lions name.  The New York Rovers moved to Troy, NY becoming the Troy Uncle Sam Trojans due to losing home dates at Madison Square Garden to the NBA's New York Knickerbockers.  The Atlantic City Sea Gulls were left without enough home dates at their home arena when the Atlantic City Convention Center was too booked with conventions for them to operate out of the facility

The league again did not operate during the 1953-54 season after the Springfield Indians applied for entry into the Quebec Hockey League and the Johnstown Jets applied for entry into the International Hockey League.  This left the league with three teams and causing the league to cease operations.

League founder and president Tom Lockhart worked on getting the league back together for the following season.  The league returned for the 1954-55 season with a line up of the following; Baltimore Clippers, Washington Lions, New Haven Blades,and associate members playing a partial schedule the Clinton Comets and the Worcester Warriors. The Worcester team was made up entirely of American players mostly from the US collegiate ranks. The league changed its' name to the Eastern Hockey League.

The league playoff championship was named the Boardwalk Cup.

Teams[]

Team name City Arena Years Comments
Atlantic City Seagulls Atlantic City, New Jersey Atlantic City Convention Hall 1933-1942 Withdrew
Baltimore Orioles Baltimore, Maryland Carlin's Iceland 1933-1942 Withdrew
Bronx Tigers New York, New York Bronx Coliseum/Madison Square Garden 1933-1934 withdrew
Hershey Chocolate B'ars Hershey, Pennsylvania Hershey Ice Palace 1933-1934 renamed B'ars
New York Athletic Club New York, New York Madison Square Garden 1933-1934 withdrew
New York-Hamilton Crescents New York, New York Madison Square Garden 1933-1935 withdrew
St Nicholas Hockey Club New York, New York St. Nicholas Rink/Madison Square Garden 1933-1934 withdrew
Hershey B'ars Hershey, Pennsylvania Hershey Ice Palace 1934-1938 join American Hockey League; form Hershey Cubs
New York Rovers New York, New York Madison Square Garden 1935-1952 withdrew
Pittsburgh Yellow Jackets Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Duquesne Gardens 1935-1937 folded
Bronx Tigers New York, New York Bronx Coliseum 1937-1938 folded
Hershey Cubs Hershey, Pennsylvania Hersheypark Arena 1938-1939 folded
River Vale Skeeters River Vale, New Jersey River Vale Arena 1939-1942 withdrew
Washington Eagles Washington, DC Riverside Stadium (39-41)
Uline Arena (41-42)
1939-1942 folded
Boston Olympics Boston, Massachusetts Boston Arena 1940-1951 moved to Washington; become Washington Lions
Johnstown Blue Birds Johnstown, Pennsylvania Shaffer Ice Palace 1941-1942 folded
Philadelphia Falcons Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia Arena 1942-1946 withdrew
U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Baltimore, Maryland Carlin's Iceland 1942-1943 exhibition team; withdrew
New Haven Eagles New Haven, Connecticut New Haven Arena 1943-1944 relocated to Brooklyn during season
Brooklyn Crescents Brooklyn, New York Brooklyn Ice Palace 1944 rejoin Metropolitan Amateur Hockey League
Baltimore Orioles Baltimore, Maryland Carlin's Iceland 1944-1945 renamed Clippers
Washington Lions Washington, DC Uline Arena 1944-1947 join American Hockey League
Baltimore Clippers Baltimore, Maryland Carlin's Iceland 1945-1950 fold during season
Atlantic City Seagulls Atlantic City, New Jersey Atlantic City Convention Hall 1947-1952 withdrew
Cleveland Knights Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland Arena 1949-1950 fold during season
Grand Rapids Rockets Grand Rapids, Michigan Grand Rapids Civic Auditorium? (see note below) 1949-1950 join International Hockey League
Milwaukee Clarks Milwaukee, Wisconsin Coliseum at State Fair Park 1949-1950 join United States Hockey League (1945-1951)
Toledo Buckeyes Toledo, Ohio Toledo Sports Arena 1949-1950

rejoin International Hockey League as Toledo Mercurys

Johnstown Jets Johnstown, Pennsylvania Cambria County War Memorial Arena 1950-1953 join International Hockey League
New Haven Tomahawks New Haven, Connecticut New Haven Arena 1951-1952 renamed New Haven Nutmegs
Philadelphia Falcons Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia Arena 1951-1952 fold during season
Springfield Indians West Springfield, Massachusetts Eastern States Coliseum 1951-1953 join Quebec Hockey League
Washington Lions Washington, DC Uline Arena 1951-1953 return in 1954
New Haven Nutmegs New Haven, Connecticut New Haven Arena 1952-1953 return in 1954 as New Haven Blades
Troy Uncle Sam Trojans Troy, New York RPI Field House 1952-1953 return in 1954 as Clinton Comets

Note: The Grand Rapids Stadium did not open until 1952. Based on the fact that it was used by a minor league basketball team during the 1950-51 season, it is possible this was also the home of the Grand Rapids Rockets.

EAHL Champions[]

Eastern Hockey League (1954-1973)[]

The league started up again for the 1954-55 season and changed its name to the Eastern Hockey League.

This league operated between 1954 and 1973. It began with five teams and grew into two divisions for the 1959-60 season. The league reached its peak in 1967-68 when it had twelve teams in two divisions. In its final season the league had twelve teams split into three divisions.

The EHL ceased operations after the 1972-73 season, after which it was succeeded by the North American Hockey League and the Southern Hockey League, both of which consisted mostly of previous EHL teams.

Teams[]

Team name City Arena Years Comments
Baltimore Clippers Baltimore, Maryland Carlin's Iceland 1954-1956 relocate to Charlotte after arena burns down
Clinton Comets Clinton, New York Clinton Arena 1954-1973 join North American Hockey League (1973-1977) as Utica, New York based Mohawk Valley Comets
New Haven Blades New Haven, Connecticut New Haven Arena 1954-1972 moved to West Springfield, Massachusetts; renamed New England Blades
Washington Lions Washington, DC Uline Arena 1954-1957 renamed Presidents
Worcester Warriors Worcester, Massachusetts Worcester Arena 1954-1955 folded
Johnstown Jets Johnstown, Pennsylvania Cambria County War Memorial Arena 1955-1973 join North American Hockey League (1973–1977)
Philadelphia Ramblers (EHL) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia Arena 1955-1964 become Jersey Devils
Charlotte Rebels Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte Coliseum 1956-1956 renamed  Charlotte Checkers (1956–1977)
Charlotte Checkers (1956–1977) Charlotte, North Carolina Charlotte Coliseum 1956-1973 join Southern Hockey League (1973-1977)
Washington Presidents Washington, DC Uline Arena 1957-1960 become Jersey Larks
Greensboro Generals Greensboro, North Carolina Greensboro Coliseum 1959-1973 join Southern Hockey League (1973-1977)
New York Rovers New York, New York Madison Square Garden 1959-1961 became Long Island Ducks
Jersey Larks Cherry Hill, New Jersey Cherry Hill Arena 1960-1961 moved to Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville Knights Knoxville, Tennessee James White Civic Coliseum 1961-1968 Folded
Long Island Ducks Commack, New York Long Island Arena 1961-1973 renamed  Charlotte Checkers (1956–1977)
Nashville Dixie Flyers Nashville, Tennessee Nashville Municipal Auditorium 1962-1971 Folded
Jacksonville Rockets Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville Coliseum 1964-1966 renamed Florida Rockets
New York Rovers New York, New York Madison Square Garden 1964-1965 folded
Jersey Devils Cherry Hill, New Jersey Cherry Hill Arena 1964-1973 fold with league
Florida Rockets Jacksonville, Florida and several other cities in Florida Jacksonville Coliseum and several other arenas in Florida 1966-1968 revert to Jacksonville name
Salem Rebels Salem, Virginia Salem Roanoke County Civic Center 1967-1971 become Roanoke Valley Rebels
Syracuse Blazers Syracuse, New York Onondaga County War Memorial 1967-1973 join North American Hockey League (1973-1977)
Jacksonville Rockets Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville Coliseum 1968-1972 Fold December 1971
Roanoke Valley Rebels Salem, Virginia Salem Roanoke County Civic Center 1971-1973 join Southern Hockey League (1973-1977)
St. Petersburg Suns St. Petersburg, Florida Bayfront Arena 1971-1972 renamed Suncoast Suns
Cape Cod Cubs South Yarmouth, Massachusetts Cape Cod Coliseum 1972-1973 join North American Hockey League (1973–1977)
New England Blades West Springfield, Massachusetts Eastern States Coliseum 1972-1972 fold December 1, 1972
Rhode Island Eagles Woonsocket, Rhode Island Brother Adelard Arena 1972-1973 fold
Suncoast Suns St. Petersburg, Florida Bayfront Arena 1972-1973 join Southern Hockey League (1973-1977)

Champions[]

Boardwalk Cup

Charlotte Clippers captain Bibber O'Hearn with Boardwalk Cup after winning 1957 championship

Season Northern Division Central Division Southern Division Overall Winner Boardwalk Cup Playoff Champions
1954-55 - - - Clinton Comets Washington Lions
1955-56 - - - New Haven Blades New Haven Blades
1956-57 - - - Charlotte Clippers Charlotte Clippers
1957-58 - - - Charlotte Clippers Washington Presidents
1958-59 - - - Clinton Comets Clinton Comets
1959-60 Clinton Comets - Johnstown Jets Johnstown Jets Johnstown Jets
1960-61 New Haven Blades - Johnstown Jets Johnstown Jets Johnstown Jets
1961-62 Clinton Comets - Greensboro Generals Clinton Comets Johnstown Jets
1962-63 Clinton Comets - Greensboro Generals Greensboro Generals Greensboro Generals
1963-64 Johnstown Jets - Greensboro Generals Johnstown Jets Clinton Comets
1964-65 Clinton Comets - Nashville Dixie Flyers Nashville Dixie Flyers Long Island Ducks
1965-66 Long Island Ducks - Nashville Dixie Flyers Long Island Ducks Nashville Dixie Flyers
1966-67 Clinton Comets - Nashville Dixie Flyers Nashville Dixie Flyers Nashville Dixie Flyers
1967-68 Clinton Comets - Greensboro Generals Clinton Comets Clinton Comets
1968-69 Clinton Comets - Greensboro Generals Clinton Comets Clinton Comets
1969-70 Clinton Comets - Greensboro Generals Clinton Comets Clinton Comets
1970-71 New Haven Blades - Charlotte Checkers Charlotte Checkers Charlotte Checkers
1971-72 Syracuse Blazers - Charlotte Checkers Charlotte Checkers Charlotte Checkers
1972-73 Syracuse Blazers Cape Cod Cubs Roanoke Valley Rebels Syracuse Blazers Syracuse Blazers



Eastern Hockey League (1978-1981)[]

The Northeastern Hockey League was founded in 1978. A year later the Eastern Hockey League name was revived. This league was not successful and folded after only three seasons due to financial issues. The league was reorganized as the Atlantic Coast Hockey League, which is a forerunner of the ECHL.

Teams[]

Team name City Arena Years Comments
Erie Blades Erie, Pennsylvania Erie County Field House 1978-1981 join American Hockey League
Jersey Aces Cherry Hill, New Jersey Cherry Hill Arena 1978-1979 moved to Hampton, Virginia mid-season
Johntown Wings Johnstown, Pennsylvania Cambria County War Memorial Arena 1978-1979 Renamed Johnstown Red Wings
New Hampshire Freedoms Concord, New Hampshire and Manchester, New Hampshire John F. Kennedy Memorial Coliseum and Douglas N. Everett Arena 1978-1979 relocated to South Yarmouth, Massachusetts during season
Utica Mohawks Utica, New York Utica Memorial Auditorium 1978-1980  league rights transfer to Salem, Virginia; city gets Atlantic Coast Hockey League team known as Mohawk Valley Stars
Cape Cod Freedoms South Yarmouth, Massachusetts Cape Cod Coliseum 1978-1979 relocated to Richmond, Virginia
Hampton Aces Hampton, Virginia Hampton Coliseum 1978-1981 folded
Baltimore Clippers Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore Civic Center 1979-1981 join Atlantic Coast Hockey League as Baltimore Skipjacks
Johnstown Red Wings Johnstown, Pennsylvania Cambria County War Memorial Arena 1979-1980 Folded
Richmond Rifles Richmond, Virginia Richmond Coliseum 1979-1981 folded
Salem Raiders Salem, Virginia Salem Roanoke County Civic Center 1980-1981 Join Atlantic Coast Hockey League
Syracuse Hornets Syracuse, New York State Fair Coliseum (Syracuse) 1980-1981

fold after 10 games


Playoff Champions[]


Regular Season Champions[]

See Also[]

List of Eastern Hockey League seasons

Sources[]


This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Eastern Hockey League. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Ice Hockey Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License 3.0 (Unported) (CC-BY-SA).





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