Senior hockey refers to amateur or semi-professional ice hockey competition. There are no age restrictions for Senior players, who typically consist of those whose Junior eligibility has expired.
6-814: The Western International Hockey League ( WIHL ) was a senior level ice hockey league that featured teams from the Western United States and Western Canada . It operated from 1946–62 and 1963–88. It grew out of the West Kootenay League , which operated in southeast British Columbia from the 1920s. The league had teams in the British Columbian cities of Trail , Nelson , Kimberley , Rossland , Fernie , and Cranbrook ; in Spokane, Washington ; Calgary, Alberta ; Portland, Oregon ; and Los Angeles . The league did not operate in 1962–63 while member team
12-619: The Allan Cup . From the beginning of the 1900s until the 1970s, Senior hockey was immensely popular across Canada, particularly in rural towns. At a time when most households didn't have a television and few hockey games were broadcast, local arenas were filled to capacity to watch the local team take on a rival. The popularity of Senior hockey declined in the 1980s and 1990s. A number of long-running leagues and teams vanished. Today, many players choose to play organized recreational hockey, sometimes referred to as "commercial hockey." The popularity of
18-731: The Trail Smoke Eaters competed for and won the world amateur championship overseas. At various times in the 1950s and 1960s the league had an interlocking schedule with the Okanagan Senior League and the Alberta Senior Hockey League . It also played matches against the Pacific Hockey League in 1978–79. In an era when there were fewer NHL and minor professional teams and leagues in North America, winning
24-586: The Allan Cup was a difficult challenge and the national championship trophy was a coveted prize. The WIHL, along with other highly competitive senior leagues across Canada (with member teams located in the US as well), was considered among the best amateur hockey in North America. Even until the 1980s, the caliber of play was excellent and many former top CHL, junior A, university and pro level players went on to compete for WIHL teams. The WIHL champions would be considered one of
30-613: The Trail Smoke Eaters advanced to the British Columbia playoffs because Spokane was not eligible for the Allan Cup. Senior hockey Senior hockey leagues operate under the jurisdiction of Hockey Canada or USA Hockey . They are not affiliated in any way with professional hockey leagues. Many former professional players play Senior hockey after their pro careers are over. The top Senior AAA teams in Canada compete annually for
36-679: The top non-professional teams in North America each year. The champions of the WIHL received the Shore-Montgomery Trophy , donated by movie stars Dinah Shore and George Montgomery in 1946. It is now on display in the Trail Sports Hall of Memories. WIHL teams that went on to win the Allan Cup include the Trail Smoke Eaters (1961-62), Spokane Jets (1969-70, 1971-72), Spokane Flyers (1975-76, 1979-80), Kimberley Dynamiters (1977-78), and Cranbrook Royals (1981-82). Note: In 1948–49 and 1949–50
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