Central Hockey League facts for kids
The Central Hockey League (CHL) was a professional hockey league in the United States. It was a place where hockey players could play professionally. The league started in 1992 and was owned by Global Entertainment Corporation.
History of the CHL
The Central Hockey League began its first season in 1992. It started with six teams. Some of these original teams included the Oklahoma City Blazers, the Tulsa Oilers, and the Wichita Thunder.
In 1996, some teams from another league, the Southern Hockey League (SHL), joined the CHL after the SHL closed down. This helped the CHL grow even bigger.
In 2001, the CHL joined forces with another hockey league called the Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL). This merger made the Central Hockey League stronger and larger.
Duane Lewis became the commissioner of the CHL in 2008. A commissioner is like the main leader of the league. Before him, Brad Treliving was the commissioner temporarily. Treliving had helped start the WPHL in 1996.
On June 1, 2010, the league announced that it would combine with the International Hockey League. This was another step to bring more hockey teams together.
League Champions
Teams in the CHL played every year to win the Ray Miron President's Cup. Here are the teams that won the championship each year:
- 1993 - Tulsa Oilers
- 1994 - Wichita Thunder
- 1995 - Wichita Thunder
- 1996 - Oklahoma City Blazers
- 1997 - Fort Worth Fire
- 1998 - Columbus Cottonmouths
- 1999 - Huntsville Channel Cats
- 2000 - Indianapolis Ice
- 2001 - Oklahoma City Blazers
- 2002 - Memphis RiverKings
- 2003 - Memphis RiverKings
- 2004 - Laredo Bucks
- 2005 - Colorado Eagles
- 2006 - Laredo Bucks
- 2007 - Colorado Eagles
- 2008 - Arizona Sundogs
- 2009 - Texas Brahmas
- 2010 - Rapid City Rush
