International Hockey League (1945–2001)

For the league of the same name that ran from 2007 to 2010, please see International Hockey League (2007–2010).
The International Hockey League (IHL) was a minor professional ice hockey league in the United States and Canada that operated from 1945 to 2001. The International Hockey League served as the National Hockey League's alternate farm system to the American Hockey League (AHL). After 56 years of operation with financial instability, the International Hockey League ceased operations after the 2000-01 season. Six teams from the IHL merged into the rival American Hockey League as expansion teams in 2001.
==History==
===Early years===
The IHL was formed in December 1945 and initially consisted of four cross-border teams in Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. In 1947, a team from Toledo, Ohio joined the league, and the following year the IHL expanded significantly, with teams in four additional U.S. cities. The expansion did not take hold, and for 1949–50, the league was back down to teams in Detroit and Windsor as well as two nearby Canadian cities, Sarnia, Ontario and Chatham, Ontario. Windsor dropped out in 1950, and expansion into the U.S. began again, with Toledo rejoining the league and new teams in Grand Rapids, Michigan (1950), Troy, Ohio, (1951), Cincinnati (1952), Fort Wayne, Indiana (1952), and Milwaukee (1952). At the same time, the last Canadian team left the league in 1952, when the Chatham Maroons pulled out. Three new U.S. cities were added in 1953. The league would expand and shrink between five and nine teams through the 1950s, with another major expansion in 1959. In the 1962–63 season, the IHL played an interlocking schedule with the NHL-owned Eastern Professional Hockey League, which itself folded in 1963. After 11 seasons as a strictly U.S.-based league, the IHL admitted two Canadian teams in 1963, with the Windsor Bulldogs and the return of the Chatham Maroons. Both teams dropped out after one season. The league did not have a Canadian team again until 1996.
===Major market expansion===
Starting in the late 1960s, the IHL's quality of play significantly improved. By the mid-1970s it was on par with the American Hockey League (AHL), the longtime top feeder league for the National Hockey League. Many IHL teams became the top farm teams of NHL teams. In 1984, the league absorbed many surviving members of the Central Hockey League, which had ceased operations.
Beginning in the late 1980s, the IHL began an expansion into major markets such as Atlanta, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Orlando, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, and San Francisco. Many of these were markets that had been served by the defunct World Hockey Association or abandoned by the NHL, but the IHL also placed teams in markets that already had NHL teams, such as Chicago, Detroit, and Long Beach (near Los Angeles). In the mid-1990s, the IHL moved its Atlanta and Minneapolis–Saint Paul franchises to Quebec City and Winnipeg respectively, restoring the league's Canadian presence and filling the void left by the departure of the NHL's Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets.
The league's expansion into larger markets was rapid, spearheaded by media mogul Ted Turner, and many of the smaller-market teams (such as Fort Wayne and Kalamazoo) fell away, joining lower-level leagues such as the United Hockey League and the East Coast Hockey League.
===Decline and collapse===
The IHL's expansion into NHL markets put a strain on relationships between the leagues. There was some speculation that the IHL was intending to compete directly with the NHL, especially when a lock-out in 1994 threatened to wipe out the NHL season."League's founding father watches over 50th year," David Eminian, The Hockey News, January 27, 1995. However, in the 1995-96 season, the IHL's "soft" salary cap was just $1.5 million,"Ufer trying to sell league on structured salary cap," David Eminian, The Hockey News, November 10, 1995. while the lowest NHL team payroll that season was $11.4 million.
In response, many NHL clubs shifted their affiliations to the AHL, and by 1997–98, only four of 18 IHL teams had NHL affiliations."The Modern Minors," Eric Zweig, p. 381, in Total Hockey, ed. Dan Diamond, Total Sports, 1998. With the loss of subsidized salaries, high expansion fees (by the end the league was charging as much as $8 million US for new teams), exploding travel costs, the NHL itself moving back into some of its markets, and the league's rapid expansion proved a critical strain, the 2000-01 season ended up being the final season of the IHL. The IHL did not merge into the American Hockey League. Instead, six franchises from the IHL merged into the AHL as expansion franchises and the IHL ceased operations.
The six IHL franchises that were admitted into the American Hockey League as expansion teams were the Chicago Wolves, Grand Rapids Griffins, Houston Aeros, Utah Grizzlies, Milwaukee Admirals and Manitoba Moose for the 2001-02 season. Among them, the Chicago Wolves (2002, 2008), Houston Aeros (2003), and Milwaukee Admirals (2004) have all won Calder Cup titles since joining the AHL from the IHL. The Cincinnati Cyclones were admitted back to the East Coast Hockey League, which hosted the team from 1990-1992 before they moved to the IHL. The Orlando Solar Bears (the final IHL champions) and the Kansas City Blades were not admitted into the AHL because their owner, Rich DeVos, also owned the Griffins, and could only own one AHL franchise. The league's other two teams (the Cleveland Lumberjacks & the Detroit Vipers) ceased operations with the league.
Two of the former IHL teams that moved to the AHL have since relocated, as the Utah Grizzlies moved to Cleveland, Ohio to become the Lake Erie Monsters in 2007, and the Manitoba Moose moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador to become the St. John's IceCaps in 2011. As well, two IHL franchises have been relaunched in the ECHL since the IHL's demise, those being the Utah Grizzlies (formerly the Lexington Men O' War) in 2005 and the expansion Orlando Solar Bears in 2012. Also, the Worcester IceCats moved to Peoria, Illinois in 2005 and took the name of yet another former IHL franchise, the Peoria Rivermen.
==Trophies and awards==
See Also List of International Hockey League trophies
Award name 	Seasons 	Description
Turner Cup 	1945–2001	League playoff champions.
Fred A. Huber Trophy 	1945–2001	Regular season champions.
Commissioner's Trophy 	1984–2001	Coach of the Year.
Leo P. Lamoureux Memorial Trophy	1946–2001	Top point scorer.Known as "George H. Wilkinson Trophy" (1946-1960).
James Gatschene Memorial Trophy 	1946–2001	MVP / Sportsmanship.
Norman R. "Bud" Poile Trophy 	1988–2001	Playoffs MVP.
Gary F. Longman Memorial Trophy 	1961–2001	Rookie of the Year.Known as "Leading Rookie Award" (1961-1967).
Ken McKenzie Trophy 	1977–2001	American-born Rookie of the Year.
Governor's Trophy 	1964–2001	Best defenseman.Known as "Larry D. Gordon Trophy" (1998-2001).
James Norris Memorial Trophy 	1955–2001	Goaltenders with lowest GAA.
John Cullen Award 	1996–2001	Comeback Player of the Year.Known as "Comeback Player of the Year Award" (1996-1998).
Ironman Award 	1988–2001	Durability / Longevity.
IHL Man of the Year 	1992–2001	Outstanding community service.Also known as "I. John Snider, II Trophy."
*Source.
==Teams==
Team 	Location 	Arena 	Tenure 	Notes 	
Detroit Auto Club 	Detroit, Michigan 	Olympia 	1945-1951	folded 	
Detroit Bright's Goodyears 	Detroit, Michigan 	Olympia 	1945-1949	folded 	
Windsor Gotfredsons 	Windsor, Ontario 	Windsor Arena 	1945-1946	renamed Windsor Staffords 	
Windsor Spitfires 	Windsor, Ontario 	Windsor Arena 	1945-1947	renamed Windsor Hettche Spitfires 	
Detroit Metal Mouldings 	Detroit, Michigan 	Olympia 	1946-1948	renamed Detroit Jerry Lynch 	
Windsor Staffords 	Windsor, Ontario 	Windsor Arena 	1946-1948	renamed Windsor Ryan Cretes 	
Windsor Hettche Spitfires 	Windsor, Ontario 	Windsor Arena 	1947-1949	folded 	
Toledo Mercurys 	Toledo, Ohio 	Toledo Sports Arena 	1947-1948	split into two teams for 1948-49 season 	
Akron Americans 	Akron, Ohio 	Iceland Arena 	1948-1949	folded 	
Detroit Jerry Lynch 	Detroit, Michigan 	Olympia 	1948-1949	folded 	
Louisville Blades 	Louisville, Kentucky 	Louisville Gardens 	1948-1949	joined United States Hockey League (1945-1951) 	
Milwaukee Clarks 	Milwaukee, Wisconsin 	Coliseum at State Fair Park 	1948-1949	joined Eastern Amateur Hockey League 	
Muncie Flyers 	Muncie, Indiana 	Gibson Arena 	1948-1949	folded; arena was being converted to a roller skating rink 	
Toledo Mercurys North 	Toledo, Ohio 	Toledo Sports Arena 	1948-1949	revert to one team for 1949-50 	
Toledo Mercurys South 	Toledo, Ohio 	Toledo Sports Arena 	1948-1949	revert to one team for 1949-50 	
Windsor Ryan Cretes 	Windsor, Ontario 	Windsor Arena 	1948-1950	folded 	
Chatham Maroons (IHL) 	Chatham, Ontario 	Chatham Memorial Arena 	1949-1952	joined OHA Senior A Hockey League (1929-1979) 	
Detroit Hettche 	Detroit, Michigan 	Olympia 	1949-1952	folded 	
Sarnia Sailors 	Sarnia, Ontario 	Sarnia Arena 	1949-1951	joined OHA Senior A Hockey League (1929-1979) 	
Grand Rapids Rockets 	Grand Rapids, Michigan 	Stadium Arena 	1950-1956	
relocated to Huntington, West Virginia; renamed Huntington Hornets 	
Toledo Mercurys 	Toledo, Ohio 	Toledo Sports Arena 	1950-1955	split 1955-56 between Toledo and Marion, Ohio 	
Troy Bruins 	Troy, Ohio 	Hobart Arena 	1951-1959	folded 	
Cincinnati Mohawks 	Cincinnati, Ohio 	Cincinnati Gardens 	1952-1958	folded 	
Fort Wayne Komets 	Fort Wayne, Indiana 	Allen County War Memorial Coliseum 	1952-1990	relocated to Albany, New York; renamed Albany Choppers 	
Milwaukee Chiefs 	Milwaukee, Wisconsin 	Milwaukee Arena 	1952-1954	folded 	
Johnstown Jets 	Johnstown, Pennsylvania 	Cambria County War Memorial Arena 	1953-1955	joined Eastern Hockey League (1933-1973) 	
Marion Barons 	Marion, Ohio 	Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Marion) 	1953-1954	Suspended operations August 12, 1954 	
Louisville Shooting Stars 	Louisville, Kentucky 	Louisville Gardens 	1953-1954	folded 	
Indianapolis Chiefs 	Indianapolis, Indiana 	Indiana State Fair Coliseum 	1955-1962	folded 	
Toledo-Marion Mercurys 	Toledo, Ohio & Marion, Ohio 	Toledo Sports Arena &Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Marion) 	1955-1956	abandon Marion, Ohio revert to Toledo Mercurys name 	
Toledo Mercurys 	Toledo, Ohio 	Toledo Sports Arena 	1956-1959	split between Toledo and St. Louis for 1959-60 season; renamed Toledo-St. Louis Mercurys	
Huntington Hornets 	Huntington, West Virginia 	Veterans Memorial Fieldhouse 	1956-1957	relocated to Louisville, Kentucky; renamed Louisville Rebels 	
Louisville Rebels 	Louisville, Kentucky 	Louisville Gardens 	1957-1960	folded 	
Denver Mavericks 	Denver, Colorado 	Denver Coliseum 	1959-1959	relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota December 3, 1959; renamed Minneapolis Millers 	
Milwaukee Falcons 	Milwaukee, Wisconsin 	Milwaukee Arena 	1959-1960	ceased operations November 26, 1960 	
Omaha Knights 	Omaha, Nebraska 	Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum 	1959-1963	joined Central Professional Hockey League 	
St. Paul Saints 	St. Paul, Minnesota 	St. Paul Auditorium 	1959-1963	joined Central Professional Hockey League as St. Paul Rangers 	
Toledo-St. Louis Mercurys 	Toledo, Ohio & St. Louis, Missouri	Toledo Sports Arena & St. Louis Arena 	1959-1960	abandon St. Louis 	
Minneapolis Millers 	Minneapolis, Minnesota 	Minneapolis Arena 	1959-1963	joined Central Professional Hockey League as Minneapolis Bruins 	
Muskegon Zephyrs 	Muskegon, Michigan 	LC Walker Arena 	1960-1965	renamed Muskegon Mohawks 	
Toledo Mercurys 	Toledo, Ohio 	Toledo Sports Arena 	1960-1962	folded 	
Port Huron Flags 	Port Huron, Michigan 	McMorran Arena 	1962-1971	renamed Port Huron Wings 	
Chatham Maroons 	Chatham, Ontario 	Chatham Memorial Arena 	1963-1964	folded 	
Des Moines Oak Leafs 	Urbandale, Iowa 	Des Moines Ice Arena 	1963-1972	renamed Des Moines Capitols 	
Toledo Blades 	Toledo, Ohio 	Toledo Sports Arena 	1963-1970	renamed Toledo Hornets 	
Windsor Bulldogs 	Windsor, Ontario 	Windsor Arena 	1963-1964	folded 	
Dayton Gems 	Dayton, Ohio 	Hara Arena 	1964-1977	relocated to Grand Rapids December 3. 1977; renamed Grand Rapids Owls 	
Muskegon Mohawks 	Muskegon, Michigan 	LC Walker Arena 	1965-1984	renamed Muskegon Lumberjacks 	
Columbus Checkers 	Columbus, Ohio 	Ohio Expo Center Coliseum 	1966-1970	team went on hiatus for 1970-71; return as Columbus Golden Seals 	
Flint Generals 	Flint, Michigan 	IMA Sports Arena 	1969-1985	relocated to Saginaw, Michigan; renamed Saginaw Generals 	
Toledo Hornets 	Toledo, Ohio 	Toledo Sports Arena 	1970-1974	relocated to Lansing, Michigan; renamed Lansing Lancers 	
Columbus Golden Seals 	Columbus, Ohio 	Ohio Expo Center Coliseum 	1971-1973	renamed Columbus Owls 	
Port Huron Wings 	Port Huron, Michigan 	McMorran Arena 	1971-1974	renamed Port Huron Flags 	
Des Moines Capitols 	Urbandale, Iowa 	Des Moines Ice Arena 	1972-1975	folded 	
Saginaw Gears (IHL) 	Saginaw, Michigan 	Saginaw Civic Center 	1972-1983	folded 	
Columbus Owls 	Columbus, Ohio 	Ohio Expo Center Coliseum 	1973-1977	relocated to Dayton, Ohio; renamed Dayton Owls 	
Kalamazoo Wings (1974-2000) 	Kalamazoo, Michigan 	Wings Stadium 	1974-1995	renamed Michigan K-Wings 	
Lansing Lancers 	Lansing, Michigan 	Metro Ice Arena 	1974-1975	folded January 15, 1975 	
Port Huron Flags 	Port Huron, Michigan 	McMorran Arena 	1974-1981	folded 	
Toledo Goaldiggers 	Toledo, Ohio 	Toledo Sports Arena 	1974-1986	foleded 	
Dayton Owls 	Dayton, Ohio 	Hara Arena 	1977-1977	relocated December 3, 1977 to Grand Rapids, Michigan; renamed Grand Rapids Owls 	
Milwakee Admirals 	Milwaukee, Wisconsin 	Milwaukee Arena 	1977-2001	joined American Hockey League 	
Grand Rapids Owls 	Grand Rapids, Michigan 	Grand Rapids Stadium 	1977-1980	joined Continental Hockey League (1972-1986) 	
Dayton Gems (1964–1980) 	Dayton, Ohio 	Hara Arena 	1979-1980	folded 	
Peoria Prancers 	Peoria, Illinois 	Peoria Civic Center 	1982-1984	renamed Peoria Rivermen (IHL) 	
Indianapolis Checkers 	Indianapolis, Indiana 	Market Square Arena 	1984-1987	folded 	
Muskegon Lumberjacks (1984-1992)	Muskegon, Michigan 	LC Walker Arena 	1984-1992	relocated to Richfield, Ohio; renamed Cleveland Lumberjacks 	
Peoria Rivermen (IHL) 	Peoria, Illinois 	Peoria Civic Center 	1984-1996	relocated to San Antonio; renamed San Antonio Dragons 	
Salt Lake Golden Eagles 	Salt Lake City, Utah 	Salt Palace & Delta Center 	1984-1994	relocated to Auburn Hills, Michigan; renamed Detroit Vipers 	
Flint Spirits 	Flint, Michigan 	IMA Sports Arena 	1985-1990	relocated to Fort Wayne, Indiana; renamed Fort Wayne Komets 	
Saginaw Generals 	Saginaw, Michigan 	Saginaw Civic Center 	1985-1987	renamed Saginaw Hawks 	
Colorado Rangers 	Denver, Colorado 	Denver Coliseum 	1987-1988	renamed Denver Rangers 	
Saginaw Hawks 	Saginaw, Michigan 	Saginaw Civic Center 	1987-1989	folded 	
Denver Rangers 	Denver, Colorado 	Denver Coliseum 	1988-1989	folded 	
Indianapolis Ice 	Indianapolis, Indiana 	Indiana State Fair Coliseum, Market Square Arena, & Pan American Arena	1988-1999	folded 	
Phoenix Roadrunners (IHL) 	Phoenix, Arizona 	Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 	1989-1997	folded 	
Albany Choppers 	Albany, New York 	Knickerbocker Arena 	1990-1991	folded February 14, 1991 	
Fort Wayne Komets 	Fort Wayne, Indiana 	Allen County War Memorial Coliseum 	1990-1999	folded; replace by United Hockey League team 	
Kansas City Blades 	Kansas City, Missouri 	Kemper Arena 	1990-2001	fold with league 	
San Diego Gulls (1990-1995) 	San Diego, California 	San Diego Sports Arena 	1990-1995	relocated to Los Angeles, California; renamed Los Angeles Ice Dogs 	
Atlanta Knights 	Atlanta, Georgia 	The Omni 	1992-1996	relocated to Quebec City; renamed Quebec Rafales 	
Cincinnati Cyclones 	Cincinnati, Ohio 	Cincinnati Gardens and Riverfront Coliseum 	1992-2001	fold with league 	
Cleveland Lumberjacks 	Richfield, Ohio 	Richfield Coliseum 	1992-2001	fold with league 	
Las Vegas Thunder 	Las Vegas, Nevada 	Thomas & Mack Center 	1993-1999	folded 	
Russian Penguins 	Road Team 	N/A 	1993-1994	Touring team; played each team once 	
Chicago Wolves 	Rosemont, Illinois 	Rosemont Horizon 	1994-2001	join American Hockey League 	
Denver Grizzlies 	Denver, Colorado 	McNichols Sports Arena 	1994-1995	relocated to Salt Lake City; renamed Utah Grizzlies (1995–2005) 	
Detroit Vipers 	Auburn Hills, Michigan 	Palace of Auburn Hills 	1994-2001	fold with league 	
Houston Aeros (1994–2013) 	Houston, Texas 	The Summit (Houston) 	1994-2001	join American Hockey League 	
Minnesota Moose 	St. Paul, Minnesota 	St. Paul Civic Center 	1994-1996	folded 	
Soviet Wings 	Road Team 	N/A 	1994-1995	Touring team; played each team once 	
Los Angeles Ice Dogs 	Los Angeles, California 	Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 	1995-1996	relocated to Long Beach, California; renamed Long Beach Ice Dogs 	
Michigan K-Wings 	Kalamazoo Wings 	Wings Stadium 	1995-2000	withdrew to join United Hockey League 	
Orlando Solar Bears (IHL) 	Orlando, Florida 	TD Waterhouse Centre 	1995-2001	fold with league 	
San Francisco Spiders 	Daly City, California 	Cow Palace 	1995-1996	folded 	
Utah Grizzlies (1995-2005) 	Salt Lake City, Utah 	Delta Center & E Center 	1995-2001	fold with league 	
Grand Rapids Griffins 	Grand Rapids, Michigan 	Van Andel Arena 	1996-2001	join American Hockey League 	
Long Beach Ice Dogs 	Long Beach, California 	Long Beach Arena 	1996-2000	join West Coast Hockey League 	
Manitoba Moose 	Winnipeg, Manitoba 	Winnipeg Arena 	1996-2001	join American Hockey League 	
Quebec Rafales 	Quebec City, Quebec 	Colisee de Quebec 	1996-1998	folded 	
San Antonio Dragons 	San Antonio, Texas 	Freeman Coliseum 	1996-1998	folded 	
===Franchise timeline with moves===
Foundingyear	Team name(s) 	Years ofoperation 	Number ofseasons	Notes
1945 	Detroit Auto Club 	1945–1951 	6 	 
1945 	Detroit Bright's Goodyears 	1945–1949 	4 	 
1945 	Windsor GotfredsonsWindsor StaffordsWindsor Ryan Cretes 	1945–19461946–19481948–1950 	5 	 
1945 	Windsor SpitfiresWindsor Hettche SpitfiresDetroit Hettche 	1945–19471947–19491949–1952 	7 	 
1946 	Detroit Metal MouldingsDetroit Jerry Lynch 	1946–19481948–1949 	3 	 
1947 	Toledo Mercurys 	1947–19491950–1962 	14 	Played in North and South divisions (1948–1949).Played as Toledo Buckeyes (EAHL) (1949–50).Played as Toledo-Marion Mercurys (1955–1956).Played as Toledo-St. Louis Mercurys (1959–1960).
1948 	Akron Americans 	1948–1949 	1 	 
1948 	Louisville Blades 	1948–1949 	1 	Transferred to USHL in 1949.
1948 	Milwaukee Clarks 	1948–1949 	1 	Transferred to EAHL in 1949.
1948 	Muncie Flyers 	1948–1949 	1 	 
1949 	Sarnia Sailors 	1949–1951 	2 	Transferred to OHA Sr. A in 1951.
1949 	Chatham Maroons 	1949–19521963–1964 	4 	Played in OHA Sr. A (1952–1963).
1950 	Grand Rapids RocketsHuntington HornetsLouisville Rebels 	1950–19561956–19571957–1960 	10 	 
1951 	Troy Bruins 	1951–1959 	8 	 
1952 	Cincinnati Mohawks 	1952–1958 	6 	Transferred from AHL in 1952.
1952 	Fort Wayne KometsAlbany Choppers 	1952–19901990–1991 	39 	Original Fort Wayne Komets replaced in 1990 by relocated Flint Spirits franchise.
1952 	Milwaukee Chiefs 	1952–1954 	2 	 
1953 	Johnstown Jets 	1953–1955 	2 	Transferred from EAHL in 1953Transferred to EHL in 1955.
1953 	Louisville Shooting Stars 	1953–1954 	1 	 
1953 	Marion Barons 	1953–1954 	1 	 
1955 	Indianapolis Chiefs 	1955–1962 	7 	 
1959 	Milwaukee Falcons 	1959–1960 	2 	Ceased operations November 26, 1960 during second season.
1959 	Denver MavericksMinneapolis Millers 	19591959–1963 	4 	Denver relocated mid-season to Minneapolis on December 3, 1959.
1959 	Omaha Knights 	1959–1963 	4 	Transferred to Central Professional Hockey League in 1963.
1959 	St. Paul Saints 	1959–1963 	4 	 
1960 	Muskegon ZephyrsMuskegon MohawksMuskegon LumberjacksCleveland Lumberjacks 	1960–19651965–19841984–19921992–2001 	41 	 
1962 	Port Huron FlagsPort Huron WingsPort Huron Flags 	1962–19711971–19741974-1981 	19 	 
1963 	Des Moines Oak LeafsDes Moines Capitols 	1963–19721972–1975 	12 	 
1963 	Toledo BladesToledo HornetsLansing Lancers 	1963–19701970–19741974–1975 	12 	 
1963 	Windsor Bulldogs 	1963–1964 	1 	Transferred from OHA Sr. A in 1963.
1964 	Dayton Gems 	1964–19771979–1980 	14 	Team on hiatus from 1977–1979.
1966 	Columbus CheckersColumbus Golden SealsColumbus OwlsDayton OwlsGrand Rapids Owls	1966–19701971–19731973–197719771977–1980	23 	Franchise on hiatus from 1970–71. Dayton relocated mid-season to Grand Rapids on December 15, 1977.
1969 	Flint GeneralsSaginaw GeneralsSaginaw Hawks 	1969–19851985–19871987–1989 	20 	 
1972 	Saginaw Gears 	1972–1983 	11 	 
1974 	Kalamazoo WingsMichigan K-Wings 	1974–19951995–2000 	26 	 
1974 	Toledo GoaldiggersKansas City Blades 	1974–19861990-2001 	23 	 
1977 	Milwaukee Admirals 	1977–2001 	24 	Transferred from USHL in 1977.Transferred to AHL in 2001.
1982 	Peoria PrancersPeoria RivermenSan Antonio Dragons 	1982–19841984-19961996–1998 	16 	 
1984 	Salt Lake Golden EaglesDetroit Vipers 	1984–19941994–2001 	17 	Transferred from CHL in 1984.
1984 	Indianapolis CheckersColorado RangersDenver RangersPhoenix Roadrunners 	1984–19871987–19881988–19891989–1997 	13 	Transferred from CHL in 1984.
1985 	Flint SpiritsFort Wayne Komets 	1985–19901990–1999 	14 	Transferred to UHL in 1999.
1988 	Indianapolis Ice 	1988–1999 	11 	Transferred to CHL in 1999.
1990 	San Diego GullsLos Angeles Ice DogsLong Beach Ice Dogs 	1990–19951995–19961996–2000 	10 	Transferred to WCHL in 2000.
1992 	Atlanta KnightsQuebec Rafales 	1992–19961996–1998 	6 	 
1992 	Cincinnati Cyclones 	1992–2001 	9 	 
1993 	Las Vegas Thunder 	1993–1999 	6 	 
1993 	Russian Penguins 	1993–1994 	1 	Touring Russian team.
1994 	Chicago Wolves 	1994–2001 	7 	Transferred to AHL in 2001.
1994 	Houston Aeros 	1994–2001 	7 	Transferred to AHL in 2001.
1994 	Minnesota MooseManitoba Moose 	1994–19961996–2001 	7 	Transferred to AHL in 2001.
1994 	Denver GrizzliesUtah Grizzlies 	1994–19951995-2001 	7 	Transferred to AHL in 2001.
1995 	Orlando Solar Bears 	1995–2001 	6 	 
1995 	San Francisco Spiders 	1995–1996 	1 	 
1996 	Grand Rapids Griffins 	1996–2001 	5 	Transferred to AHL in 2001.
==See also==
*List of International Hockey League (1945-2001) seasons
*List of ice hockey leagues
*Minor league
==References==
==External links==
*International Hockey League 1945-2001 Internet Hockey Database - Standings and Statistics
*International Hockey League 1945-2001 Internet Hockey Database - IHL Awards
*
Category:Ice hockey leagues
Category:Canadian-American Amateur Leagues
Category:Established in 1945
Category:Disestablished in 2001
Category:Defunct ice hockey leagues