Eastern Hockey League

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==
*1937-38 Hershey Bears
*1938-39 New York Rovers
*1939-40 New York Rovers
*1940-41 Baltimore Orioles
*1941-42 New York Rovers
*1942-43 US Coast Guard Cutters
*1943-44 Boston Olympics
*1944-45 Boston Olympics
*1945-46 Boston Olympics
*1946-47 Boston Olympics
*1947-48 New York Rovers
*1948-49 No League play
*1949-50 New York Rovers
*1950-51 Boston Olympics
*1951-52 Johnstown Jets
*1952-53 Johnstown Jets
*1953-54 No League play
=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==
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==
*1978-79 Erie Blades
*1979-80 Erie Blades
*1980-81 Erie Blades
==Regular Season Champions==
*1978-79 Erie Blades
*1979-80 Erie Blades
*1980-81 Erie Blades
==See Also==
List of Eastern Hockey League seasons
==Sources==
* Eastern Hockey League, HockeyDB
Category:Defunct ice hockey leagues
Category:Eastern Hockey League