Eastern Hockey League
Encyclopedia
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, but the league returned for the 1949-50 season with eight teams. The league again did not operate during the 1953-54 season.
Teams
- Atlantic City Seagulls (1933-34 to 1941-42; 1947-48 to 1951-52)
- Baltimore ClippersBaltimore ClippersThe Baltimore Clippers were an American ice hockey team. They were the first of three Baltimore entries into the American Hockey League, who played from 1962–76...
(1945-46 to 1949-50) - Baltimore Orioles (1933-34 to 1941-42; 1944-45)
- Boston OlympicsBoston OlympicsThe Boston Olympics are a defunct farm team for the Boston Bruins. They began play during the 1940–41 Eastern Amateur Hockey League season. The Olympics were often referred to by the shortened name the ‘Pics and the franchise remained active until the 1951–52 season.- Franchise History :Founded by...
(1940-41 to 1951-52) - Bronx TigersBronx TigersThe Bronx Tigers were a minor professional ice hockey team that played in the Canadian American Hockey League in 1931-32. They were also an amateur team that played in the Eastern Hockey League in 1933-34 and 1937-38. They played out of the borough of Bronx in New York City, New York.-CAHL:In...
(1933-34 to 1933-34; 1937-38) - Cleveland Knights (1949-50)
- Grand Rapids RocketsGrand Rapids RocketsThe Grand Rapids Rockets are a defunct International Hockey League team. They were members of the IHL from the 1950–1951 season to 1955–1956 season. They were based in Grand Rapids, Michigan and played their home games in Stadium Arena. The team had previously been a member of the Eastern Amateur...
(1949-50) - Hershey B'ars/Hershey BearsHershey BearsThe Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
(1933-34 to 1937-38) - Hershey Cubs (1938-39)
- Johnstown Bluebirds (1941-42)
- Johnstown JetsJohnstown JetsThe Johnstown Jets were a professional ice hockey team from Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The Jets were founded in the Eastern Amateur Hockey League for the 1950–51 season, playing at the newly constructed Cambria County War Memorial Arena...
(1950-51 to 1952-53) - Milwaukee ClarksMilwaukee ClarksThe Milwaukee Clarks were a professional ice hockey team in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They were a member of the International Hockey League in 1948–1949 and the Eastern Amateur Hockey League in 1949–1950....
(1949-50) - New Haven Crescents/Brooklyn Crescents (1943-44)
- New Haven Nutmegs (1952-53)
- New Haven Tomahawks (1951-52)
- New York Athletic Club (1933-34)
- New York-Hamilton Crescents (1933-34 to 1934-35)
- New York RoversNew York RoversThe New York Rovers were a senior ice hockey team that was established in 1935. They played in the Eastern Hockey League as a farm team of the New York Rangers. The Rovers played alongside the Rangers in Madison Square Garden. They played in the Eastern League through 1947-48...
(1935-36 to 1951-52) - Philadelphia FalconsPhiladelphia RocketsThe Philadelphia Rockets were a minor professional ice hockey team based in the Philadelphia Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Rockets played for three seasons in American Hockey League from 1946 to 1949...
(1942-43 to 1945-46; 1951-52) - Pittsburgh Yellow JacketsPittsburgh Yellow JacketsThe Pittsburgh Yellow Jackets was an amateur hockey team that existed between . They evolved from being an amateur to a semi-pro team and are one the earliest sports organizations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Yellow Jackets played primarily in the United States Amateur Hockey Association...
(1935-36 to 1936-37) - Riverdale Skeeters (1939-40 to 1941-42)
- St. Nicholas Hockey Club (1933-34)
- Springfield IndiansSpringfield IndiansThe Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with...
(1951-52 to 1952-53) - Toledo BuckeyesToledo MercurysThe Toledo Mercurys are a defunct International Hockey League franchise from Toledo, Ohio. The Toledo Franchise was the first IHL franchise to be granted outside of the Windsor-Detroit area, for the cost of $1000.00 to Virgil Gladeaux of Toledo. The Mercurys existed 15 seasons in total from 1947 to...
(1949-50) - Troy Uncle Sam Trojans (1952-53)
- U.S. Coast Guard Cutters (1942-43)
- Washington EaglesWashington EaglesThe Washington Eagles were an American minor pro ice hockey team from Washington, D.C. that played in the Eastern Hockey League from 1939 to 1942. During those three seasons the Eagles played 186 games with an overall record of 102 wins, 67 losses and 17 ties....
(1939-40 to 1941-42) - Washington LionsWashington LionsThe Washington Lions were a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They were founded as a member of the American Hockey League in the 1941–42 season. The Lions played for two seasons, disbanded during World War II. Another Washington Lions team played in the Eastern Hockey League...
(1944-45 to 1946-47; 1951-52 to 1952-53)
Eastern Hockey League (1954-1973)
The league started back up for the 1954-55 season and changed its name to the Eastern Hockey League.The league operated between 1954 and 1973. It began with five teams and grew into two divisions for the 1959-60 season. The league reached it peak in terms of team number in the 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
North American Hockey League (1973-1977)
The North American Hockey League was a low-level minor professional hockey league that existed from 1973 to 1977. Several of the NAHL teams operated as developmental teams for World Hockey Association franchises. The NAHL was one of two leagues, along with the Southern Hockey League, that were...
and the Southern Hockey League, both of which consisted mostly of previous EHL teams.
Teams
- Baltimore ClippersBaltimore ClippersThe Baltimore Clippers were an American ice hockey team. They were the first of three Baltimore entries into the American Hockey League, who played from 1962–76...
(1954-55 to 1955-56) - Cape Cod Cubs (1972-73)
- Charlotte CheckersCharlotte Checkers (1956–1977)The Charlotte Checkers were an American ice hockey team in Charlotte, North Carolina, playing in the Eastern Hockey League and Southern Hockey League.-Franchise history:...
(1956-57 to 1972-73) - Clinton CometsClinton CometsThe Clinton Comets were an American ice hockey team in Clinton, New York.Founded in 1927–28 as the Clinton Hockey Club and nicknamed the Comets in 1949, the team played primarily at the Clinton Arena from 1949 until 1973...
(1954-55 to 1972-73) - Greensboro GeneralsGreensboro GeneralsThe Greensboro Generals were an ECHL team that existed from 1999-2004. The franchise replaced the Greensboro Monarchs, who called the city home from 1989-1995....
(1959-60 to 1972-73) - Jacksonville RocketsJacksonville RocketsThe Jacksonville Rockets were a professional minor league ice hockey team based in Jacksonville, Florida. They played in the Eastern Hockey League from 1964–1972, when they folded. They were the first professional hockey team to be based in Jacksonville or anywhere in Florida...
/Florida Rockets (1964-65 to 1971-72) - Jersey Devils (1964-65 to 1972-73)
- Jersey Larks (1960-61)
- Johnstown JetsJohnstown JetsThe Johnstown Jets were a professional ice hockey team from Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The Jets were founded in the Eastern Amateur Hockey League for the 1950–51 season, playing at the newly constructed Cambria County War Memorial Arena...
(1955-56 to 1972-73) - Knoxville KnightsKnoxville KnightsThe Knoxville Knights were a minor professional ice hockey team based in the James White Civic Coliseum in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Knights played for seven seasons in the Eastern Hockey League from 1961 to 1968. The Knights folded after the end of the 1967-68 season.The Knights had the...
(1961-62 to 1967-68) - Long Island DucksLong Island Ducks (ice hockey)The Long Island Ducks were a minor league hockey team in the Eastern Hockey League owned by Al and Renee Baron that played their home games at the Long Island Arena...
(1961-62 to 1972-73) - Nashville Dixie FlyersNashville Dixie FlyersThe Nashville Dixie Flyers were a professional minor league ice hockey team in Nashville, Tennessee. They played in the Eastern Hockey League from 1962 until the franchise folded in 1971. Their home games were held at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium....
(1962-63 to 1970-71) - New England Blades (1972-73)
- New Haven BladesNew Haven Bladesthumb|250px|right|New Haven Blades1954-1972League: [[Eastern Hockey League]]Affiliate: N/AHome Venue: New Haven ArenaThe New Haven Blades were a popular professional ice hockey team from New Haven, CT from the EHL from that played from 1954 until the league's demise in 1972...
(1954-55 to 1971-72) - New York RoversNew York RoversThe New York Rovers were a senior ice hockey team that was established in 1935. They played in the Eastern Hockey League as a farm team of the New York Rangers. The Rovers played alongside the Rangers in Madison Square Garden. They played in the Eastern League through 1947-48...
(1959-60 to 1960-61; 1964-65) - Philadelphia RamblersPhiladelphia Ramblers (EHL)The Philadelphia Ramblers were a minor professional ice hockey team based in the Philadelphia Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Ramblers played for nine seasons in the Eastern Hockey League from 1955 to 1964...
(1955-56 to 1963-64) - Rhode Island Eagles (1972-73)
- Roanoke Valley RebelsRoanoke Valley Rebels (EHL)The Roanoke Valley Rebels were a minor professional hockey franchise, based in Roanoke, Virginia, that played in the now defunct Eastern Hockey League from 1970–73...
(1971-72 to 1972-73) - St Petersburg Suns/Suncoast SunsSuncoast SunsThe Suncoast Suns were an American ice hockey team in Saint Petersburg, Florida. They played in the Southern Hockey League in the 1973-74 season. The club folded after 31 games.-Season-by-season record:-Records:...
(1971-72 to 1972-73) - Salem Rebels (1967-68 to 1970-71)
- Syracuse BlazersSyracuse BlazersThe Syracuse Blazers were a minor league hockey team that played in the Onondaga County War Memorial and New York State Fair Coliseum in Syracuse, New York....
(1967-68 to 1972-73) - Washington LionsWashington LionsThe Washington Lions were a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They were founded as a member of the American Hockey League in the 1941–42 season. The Lions played for two seasons, disbanded during World War II. Another Washington Lions team played in the Eastern Hockey League...
(1954-55 to 1956-57) - Washington Presidents (1957-58 to 1959-60)
- Worcester WarriorsWorcester Warriors (Ice hockey)The Worcester Warriors was a professional ice hockey team located in Worcester, Massachusetts. They played 2 seasons from 1954–1956, the first year in the Eastern Hockey League and the second in the Atlantic Hockey League. The city is now home to the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League.-...
(1954-55)
Northeastern/Eastern Hockey League (1979-1981)
The Northeastern Hockey League began operation in the EHL's old territory in 1978. In 1979 the Eastern Hockey League name was revived. This league was not successful and folded after three seasons. Some of its teams joined the Atlantic Coast Hockey LeagueAtlantic Coast Hockey League
The Atlantic Coast Hockey League was a minor league hockey organization that operated between 1981 and 1987. The league was founded by Bill Coffey....
.
Teams
- Baltimore Clippers (1979-80 to 1980-81)
- Erie BladesErie BladesThe Erie Blades name was used by two professional ice hockey teams in Erie, Pennsylvania. Both teams played their home games in the Erie County Field House...
(1978-79 to 1980-81) - Hampton Aces (1978-79 to 1980-81; began 1978-79 as Jersey Aces)
- Johnstown Red WingsJohnstown Red WingsThe Johnstown Red Wings were a professional ice hockey team based in Johnstown, Pennsylvania They were founded as a member of the Eastern Hockey League in the 1979-80 season.The Red Wings were used as an affiliate to the Adirondack Red Wings of the AHL...
(1978-79 to 1979-80) - New Hampshire/Cape Cod Freedoms (1978-79)
- Richmond RiflesRichmond RiflesThe Richmond Rifles were a professional ice hockey team of the Eastern Hockey League from 1979–1981, playing in Richmond, Virginia at the Richmond Coliseum. They played the final two seasons of the EHL...
(1979-80 to 1980-81) - Salem RaidersSalem RaidersThe Salem Raiders were a former professional hockey team that played in the Eastern Hockey League during the 1979-80 season, and transferred to the Atlantic Coast Hockey League during the 1981-82 season....
(1980-81) - Syracuse Hornets (1980-81)
- Utica Mohawks (1978-79 to 1979-80)
In fiction
A billboardBillboard (advertising)
A billboard is a large outdoor advertising structure , typically found in high traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertisements to passing pedestrians and drivers...
advertisement for a fictional 'Eastern Hockey League' appeared in the movie Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan
Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan
Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan is a slasher film released on July 28, 1989. It is the eighth film in the Friday the 13th film series, and deals with Jason Voorhees stalking a group of high school graduates on a ship en route to New York City, and was the last film in the series...
. The advertisement featured a prominent 'old style' masked
Goalie mask
A goaltender mask, commonly referred to as a goalie mask or a hockey mask, is a mask worn by ice hockey, inline hockey, and field hockey goaltenders to protect the head from injury. Jacques Plante was the first goaltender to create and use a practical mask in 1959. Plante's mask was a piece of...
goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
, to which Jason Voorhees
Jason Voorhees
Jason Voorhees is a fictional character from the Friday the 13th series of slasher films. He first appeared in Friday the 13th , as the son of camp cook-turned-murderer, Mrs. Voorhees, in which he was portrayed by Ari Lehman. Created by Victor Miller, with contributions by Ron Kurz, Sean S...
looks confusingly at, then stands next to, highlighting the resemblance. This movie was released in 1989, however: at least eight years after the previous Eastern Hockey League folded.