Southwest Hockey League (Pro)

The Southwest Hockey League was a short-lived minor professional league that existed from 1975-1977. The league was established in 1975 to train players for professional leagues.
Ralph Engelstad, a former University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux hockey goaltender, Las Vegas casino owner, construction magnate, and entrepreneur, conceived and financed the SWHL in the early 1970s, along with his younger brother, Richard. Six cities awarded teams were: Albuquerque, New Mexico; Amarillo, Texas; Billings, Montana; Butte, Montana; El Paso, Texas; and Reno, Nevada.
The purpose of SWHL was to provide a professional development circuit for young American and Canadian players interested in attending college and playing hockey. It was modeled after a similar system employed by the Canadian National Hockey Team. Teams were responsible for each player’s room and board, tuition for a local college or university, and a monthly 60 dollar stipend. SWHL Commissioner and Vice-President Winston “Bing” Juckes, a former professional hockey player, ran tryout camps in August 1975.
The league would fold on January 24, 1977.
==Champions==
*1975-76 : Amarillo Wranglers
*1976-77 : Tucson Icemen
==Teams==
Team 	Location 	Arena 	Tenure 	Notes
Albuquerque Chapparals	Albuquerque, New Mexico	Tingley Coliseum 	1975-1977	fold with league
Amarillo Wranglers 	Amarillo, Texas 	Amarillo Civic Center 	1975-1977	
renamed Amarillo Lone Stars late in 1976-77 season
Billings Blazers 	Billings, Montana 	The Metra 	1975-1977	folded; city gets Western Canada Hockey League team
Butte Copper Kings 	Butte, Montana 	Butte Civic Center 	1975-1976	relocated to Tucson; renamed Tucson Icemen
El Paso Raiders 	El Paso, Texas 	El Paso County Coliseum 	1975-1976	relocated to Minot, North Dakota during season
Reno Broncos 	Reno, Nevada 	Centennial Coliseum 	1975-1975	folded after 18 games
Minot Raiders 	Minot, North Dakota 	All Seasons Arena 	1976-1976	
renamed Minot Rangers on January 12, 1977
Bismarck Capitols 	Bismarck, North Dakota 	Bismarck Civic Center 	1976-1976	folded November 23. 1976
Minot Rangers 	Minot, North Dakota 	All Seasons Arena 	1976-1977	fold with league
Tucson Icemen 	Tucson, Arizona 	Tucson Convention Center	1976-1977	fold with league
Amarillo Lone Stars 	Amarillo, Texas 	Amarillo Civic Center 	1977-1977	fold with league
Category:Defunct ice hockey leagues