Western International Hockey League

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 1961-1962 1963-1988	withdrew league suspends operations due to Trail Smoke Eaters representing Canada at 1963 World Championship fold
Los Angeles Ramblers	Los Angeles, California	Pan Pacific Auditorium	1946-1947	fold
Nelson Maple Leafs	Nelson, British Columbia	Nelson Civic Centre	1946-1962 1963-1978 1979-1987	league suspends operations due to Trail Smoke Eaters representing Canada at 1963 World Championship suspend operations December 21, 1978 fold
Spokane Spartans	Spokane, Washington	Spokane Arena (original)	1946-1948	replaced by Spokane Flyers
Trail Smoke Eaters	Trail, British Columbia	Trail Fall Fair Skating Rink (1946-1949) Cominco Arena (1949-)	1946-1961 1961-1962 1963-1984 1985-1987	withdrew in January 1961 to compete in 1961 World Championship league suspends operations due to Trail Smoke Eaters representing Canada at 1963 World Championship suspend operations January 29, 1987
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 1960-1962 1963-1967	renamed Rossland Miners league suspends operations due to Trail Smoke Eaters representing Canada at 1963 World Championship Fold
Rossland Miners	Rossland, British Columbia	Rossland Arena	1957-1960	revert to Rossland Warriors name
East Kootenay Rams	Cranbrook, British Columbia	Cranbrook Memorial Centre	1961-1961	formed to replace Trail Smoke Eaters for balance of season
Spokane Jets	Spokane, Washington	Spokane Coliseum	1963-1974	renamed Spokane Flyers
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
Spokane Chiefs	Spokane, Washington	Spokane Coliseum	1982-1985	fold when city gets Western Hockey League team

Seasons/Playoff Champions/Provincials/Nationals

Season	Playoff Champions	Provincials	Western Canada Playoffs	Allan Cup
1946-47	Kimberley Dynamiters	Won Provincial Championship	Lost Semifinals	N/A
1947-48	Trail Smoke Eaters	Won Provincial Championship	Lost Semifinals	N/A
1948-49	Spokane Flyers	Trail Smoke Eaters Won Provincial Championship	Lost Semifinals	N/A
1949-50	Spokane Flyers	Trail Smoke Eaters Lost Provincial Final	N/A	N/A
1950-51	Trail Smoke Eaters	Lost Provincial Final	N/A	N/A
1951-52	Trail Smoke Eaters	Won Provincial Championship	Lost Semifinals	N/A
1952-53	Spokane Flyers	Lost Provincial Final	N/A	N/A
1953-54	Nelson Maple Leafs	Lost Provincial Final	N/A	N/A
1954-55	Kimberley Dynamiters	Lost Provincial Final	N/A	N/A
1955-56	Spokane Flyers	Lost Provincial Final	N/A	N/A
1956-57	Spokane Flyers	Won Provincial Championship	Won Western Canada	Lost Allan Cup Final
1957-58	Rossland Miners	Lost Provincial Final	N/A	N/A
1958-59	Nelson Maple Leafs	Lost Provincial Final	N/A	N/A
1959-60	Trail Smoke Eaters	Won Provincial Championship	Won Western Canada	Lost Allan Cup Final
1960-61	Nelson Maple Leafs	Won Provincial Championship	Lost Western Final	N/A
1961-62	Trail Smoke Eaters	Won Provincial Championship	Won Western Canada	Won Allan Cup
League did not compete during 1962-63 playing season
1963-64	Kimberley Dynamiters	Won Provincial Championship	Lost Semifinals	N/A
1964-65	Nelson Maple Leafs	Won Provincial Championship	Won Western Canada	Lost Allan Cup Final
1965-66	Kimberley Dynamiters	Won Provincial Championship	Lost Semifinals	N/A
1966-67	Nelson Maple Leafs	Won Provincial Championship	Lost Western Final	N/A
1967-68	Spokane Jets	Won Provincial Championship	Lost Quarterfinals	N/A
1968-69	Spokane Jets	Won Provincial Championship	Lost Semifinals	N/A
1969-70	Spokane Jets	Won Provincial Championship	Won Western Canada	Won Allan Cup
1970-71	Nelson Maple Leafs	Won Provincial Championship	Lost Western Canada Final	N/A
1971-72	Spokane Jets	Won Provincial Championship	Won Western Canada	Won Allan Cup
1972-73	Spokane Jets	Won Provincial Championship	Lost Western Final	N/A
1973-74	Cranbrook Royals	Won Provincial Championship	Won Western Canada	Lost Allan Cup Final
1974-75	Spokane Flyers	Won Provincial Championship	Lost Western Final	N/A
1975-76	Spokane Flyers	Won Provincial Championship	Won Western Canada	Won Allan Cup
1976-77	Spokane Flyers	Won Provincial Championship	Won Western Canada	Lost Allan Cup Final
1977-78	Kimberley Dynamiters	Won Provincial Championship	Won Western Canada	Won Allan Cup
1978-79	Trail Smoke Eaters	Won Provincial Championship	Lost Western Final	N/A
1979-80	Spokane Flyers	Won Provincial Championship	Won Western Canada	Won Allan Cup
1980-81	Kimberley Dynamiters	Lost Provincial Final	N/A	N/A
1981-82	Cranbrook Royals	Won Provincial Championship	Won Western Canada	Won Allan Cup
1982-83	Trail Smoke Eaters	Won Provincial Championship	Lost Western Final	N/A
1983-84	Spokane Chiefs	Won Provincial Championship	Lost Western Final	N/A
1984-85	Spokane Chiefs	Won Provincial Championship	Lost Western Final	N/A
1985-86	Nelson Maple Leafs	Won Provincial Championship	Won Western Canada	Lost Allan Cup Final
1986-87	Nelson Maple Leafs	Won Provincial Championship	Won Western Canada	Lost Allan Cup Final
1987-88	Elk Valley Blazers	Won Provincial Championship	Do not participate	N/A

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. In 1961-62, from 1963-64 to 1978-79, and from 1981-82 through 1986-87, the Western International Hockey League was the only senior league in the province and its champion automatically won the British Columbia Senior title.

See also

List of WIHL Seasons

This article is part of the Allan Cup and other senior amateur competitions portal

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)