League History: Conway Conference

As part of the IHHL’s expansion for the 2013-2014 season, the league conferences were realigned and renamed. As a result of the realignment, the American Conference became the Conway Conference. This change is to honor one of the IHHL’s most proficient and respected snipers, Charlie Conway.

Conway hails from Dawson Creek, BC, Canada. Before playing in the IHHL, Conway learned all he he knew about hockey from Gordon Bombay. Bombay served as a coach not only for Conway’s junior league team. Years later, Bombay and Conway were reunited when Bombay coached Conway at the Junior Goodwill Games.

Conway was drafted as late round pick by the Cleveland Blackjacks. Initially, Conway was seen as a fringe player at best, never really expected to rise above the roll of a third line winger. It was not until the epic playoff series between the Cleveland Blackjacks and the Seattle Wolves, known as the Battle in Seattle, that Conway made his mark not only as an elite sniper but as a team leader. 

When the Blackjacks' top forward and captain was laid out with a concussion in game three of the second round of the playoffs, Conway immediately stepped up and took charge of the team. With Conway at the helm, the Blackjacks were able to rally back from a three game deficit to take the series. Conway not only demonstrated his proficiency as a marksmen, but he showed unsurpassed leadership skills. Under Conway’s sure and steady leadership, the Cleveland Blackjacks went on to win the IHHL Ice Bucket for four consecutive seasons.

Conway's number was retired when Alyssa Gagen took over management of the team. Conway still holds the league records for scoring the most shorthanded goals in a playoff series and the most consecutive games played.

The Conway Conference is comprised of:

• Barrel Riders of Buffalo
• Milwaukee Monarchs
• Seattle Wolves
• Cleveland Blackjacks
• Richmond Prexies