From the ashes of the International Canadian Hockey League (ICHL) and the Continental Hockey League (CHL) rose the Icehouse Hockey League (IHHL). In 1920 both the ICHL and the CHL were on the brink of collapse. The ICHL had spread itself too far across N. America with teams playing as far north as Yellowknife NWT, and as far south as Houston, TX. The financial strain of travel combined with the diminishing competitiveness of the league was proving to be fatal to the financial health of the league. The only teams that were able to generate enough interest to remain financially viable were the Seattle Wolves, Montreal Reds, Sioux Falls Scouts, and the Saskatoon Sasquatches.
Meanwhile, the CHL's finances and attendance had been anemic at best, ever since the end of WWI. Again, the expense of travel and a depletion of quality players meant less games overall, and fewer games that were truly competitive. The only four teams that were able to consistently make ends meet were the Portland Mariners, Washington Winter Warriors, Cleveland Blackjacks, and the Boston Shamrocks.
On June 1, 1921 the owners of these teams met in Washington to discuss the creation of a new league. After a week of deliberation they founded the Icehouse Hockey League. League headquarters were established in Washington where they are still to this day. The league was separated into two conferences, the Federal Conference and the Continental Conference. The Federal Conference included Boston, Washington, Montreal, and Portland while the Continental Conference included Saskatoon, Cleveland, Seattle and Sioux Falls.
The first few seasons were rough going for the fledgeling IHHL. Transportation costs were a continuing pain point in the Continental Conference and there was a real risk of losing both the Scouts and the Pilots. The league soldiered on and by the spring of 1925, the IHHL found itself in a relatively stable position financially.
On June 1, 1921 the owners of these teams met in Washington to discuss the creation of a new league. After a week of deliberation they founded the Icehouse Hockey League. League headquarters were established in Washington where they are still to this day. The league was separated into two conferences, the Federal Conference and the Continental Conference. The Federal Conference included Boston, Washington, Montreal, and Portland while the Continental Conference included Saskatoon, Cleveland, Seattle and Sioux Falls.
The first few seasons were rough going for the fledgeling IHHL. Transportation costs were a continuing pain point in the Continental Conference and there was a real risk of losing both the Scouts and the Pilots. The league soldiered on and by the spring of 1925, the IHHL found itself in a relatively stable position financially.
Original IHHL Teams
The original IHHL teams were located in Boston, Saskatoon, Cleveland, Portland (Maine), Seattle, Washington, and Montreal- Boston Shamrocks
- Saskatoon Sasquatches
- Cleveland Blackjacks
- Portland Mariners
- Montreal Reds
- Seattle Wolves
- Washington Winter Warriors
- Sioux Falls Scouts
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