Minor professional hockey leagues are the backbone of the NHL. These leagues over the years have served as training grounds for the NHL teams. Entertaining hockey in their own right and offering non NHL players a chance to earn a living.

Central Hockey League (1969-1984)

The Central Hockey League (1969-1984) was renamed from the Central Professional Hockey League for the 1969-70 season. For the 1972/73 season with only four active teams, the league interlocked their schedule the Western Hockey League. This would lead to the Denver, Salt Lake City, and Seattle franchises joining the CHL for the 1974-75 season when the Western Hockey League folded.

The 1979/80 season saw the merger of the World Hockey Association and the NHL. This benifited the CHL with four of the former WHA cities joining the league. The league continued to struggle with viable franchises finally ending operations in 1984.

Central Hockey League
(1969-1984) Franchises

Albuquerque Six Guns (1974-1975)
Amarillo Wranglers (1970-1971)
Birmingham Bulls (1979-1981)
Birmingham South Stars (1982-1983)
Cincinnati Stingers (1979-1980)
Cincinnati Tigers (1981-1982)
Colorado Flames (1983-1984)
Dallas Black Hawks (1969-1982)
Denver Spurs (1972-1973, 1974-1975)
Ft. Worth Texans (1978-1982)
Ft. Worth Wings (1969-1973)
Houston Apollos (1979-1980)
Indianapolis Checkers (1979-1984)
Iowa Stars (1969-1970)
Kansas City Blues (1969-1972, 1976-1977)
Kansas City Red Wings (1977-1979)
Montana Magic (1983-1984)
Nashville South Stars (1981-1982)
Oklahoma City Blazers (1969-1977)
Oklahoma City Stars (1978-1982)
Omaha Knights (1969-1975)
Phoenix Roadrunners (1972-1973, 1977-1978)
Portland Buckaroos (1972-1973)
Salt Lake City Golden Eagles (1972-1973, 1974-1984)
San Diego Gulls (1972-1973)
Seattle Totems (1972-1973. 1974-1975)
Tucson Mavericks (1975-1976)
Tulsa Oilers (1969-1984)
US Olympic Team (1979-1980)
Wichita Wind (1980-1983)

Central Hockey League
(1969-1984) Champions

Year
Playoff Champion
Regular Season Champion
1970
Omaha Knights
Omaha Knights
1971
Omaha Knights
Omaha Knights
1972
Dallas Black Hawks
Dallas Black Hawks
1973
Omaha Knights
Dallas Black Hawks
1974
Dallas Black Hawks
Oklahoma City Blazers
1975
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
1976
Tulsa Oilers
Tulsa Oilers
1977
Kansas City Blues
Kansas City Blues
1978
Fort Worth Texans
Fort Worth Texans
1979
Dallas Black Hawks
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
1980
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
1981
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
Dallas Black Hawks
1982
Indianapolis Checkers
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
1983
Indianapolis Checkers
Indianapolis Checkers
1984
Tulsa Oilers
Tulsa Oilers

Central Hockey League
(1969-1984) Seasons

1970 Season
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Omaha Knights
72
36
26
10
82
247
212
Iowa Stars
72
35
26
11
81
252
232
Tulsa Oilers
72
35
27
10
80
230
202
Fort Worth Wings
72
31
25
16
78
217
206
Dallas Black Hawks
72
30
37
5
65
236
241
Oklahoma City Blazers
72
26
39
7
59
233
291
Kansas City Blues
72
24
37
11
59
228
259
 
1971 Season
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Omaha Knights
72
45
16
11
101
312
216
Dallas Black Hawks
72
36
26
8
80
276
246
Fort Worth Wings
72
35
28
9
79
232
198
Oklahoma City Blazers
72
30
30
12
72
258
273
Kansas City Blues
72
30
31
11
71
214
223
Tulsa Oilers
72
27
37
8
62
252
275
Amarillo Wranglers
72
14
47
11
39
216
329
 
1972 Season
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Dallas Black Hawks
72
43
22
7
93
317
232
Tulsa Oilers
72
34
30
8
76
256
243
Fort Worth Wings
72
30
30
12
72
238
246
Oklahoma City Blazers
72
29
34
9
67
235
273
Omaha Knights
72
29
35
8
66
241
260
Kansas City Blues
72
21
35
16
58
244
277
 
1973 CHL Season
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Dallas Black Hawks
72
38
23
11
87
256
208
Omaha Knights
72
35
27
10
80
262
263
Fort Worth Wings
72
31
35
6
68
254
267
Tulsa Oilers
72
26
37
9
61
259
308
 
1973 WHL Season
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Phoenix Roadrunners
72
37
26
9
83
310
250
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
72
32
25
15
79
288
259
San Diego Gulls
72
32
29
11
75
239
223
Denver Spurs
72
27
32
13
67
264
275
Seattle Totems
72
26
32
14
66
270
286
Portland Buckaroos
72
21
39
12
54
226
226
 
In 1972-73 the CHL played an interlocking schedule with the Western Hockey League.
               
1974 Season
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Oklahoma City Blazers
72
36
25
11
83
280
230
Omaha Knights
72
34
23
15
83
259
217
Dallas Black Hawks
72
29
26
17
75
220
227
Fort Worth Texans
72
30
28
14
74
237
241
Tulsa Oilers
72
28
31
13
69
233
239
Albuquerque Six Guns
72
16
40
16
48
188
263
 
1975 North Division
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
78
43
24
11
97
317
245
Denver Spurs
78
36
29
13
85
285
263
Omaha Knights
78
34
33
11
79
254
268
Seattle Totems
78
29
38
11
69
258
296
 
1975 South Division
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Dallas Black Hawks
78
40
30
8
88
302
259
Oklahoma City Blazers
78
33
33
12
78
267
267
Tulsa Oilers
78
27
41
10
64
262
289
Fort Worth Texans
78
26
40
12
64
264
322
 
1976 Season
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Tulsa Oilers
76
45
21
10
100
301
228
Dallas Black Hawks
76
41
24
11
93
282
211
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
76
37
35
4
78
300
299
Oklahoma City Blazers
76
32
34
10
74
256
263
Fort Worth Texans
76
29
31
16
74
287
271
Tucson Mavericks
76
14
53
9
37
242
396
 
1977 Season
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Kansas City Blues
76
46
21
9
101
322
225
Dallas Black Hawks
76
35
25
16
86
281
231
Tulsa Oilers
76
37
29
10
84
314
289
Fort Worth Texans
76
35
32
9
79
272
261
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
76
31
39
6
68
276
288
Oklahoma City Blazers
76
15
53
8
38
245
416
 
1978 Season
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Fort Worth Texans
76
44
29
3
91
262
251
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
76
42
31
3
87
283
238
Dallas Black Hawks
77
38
36
3
79
284
281
Tulsa Oilers
76
34
39
3
71
264
273
Kansas City Red Wings
76
33
40
3
69
266
257
Phoenix Roadrunners
27
4
20
3
11
75
134
 
1979 Season
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
76
47
22
7
101
314
209
Dallas Black Hawks
76
45
28
3
93
339
289
Kansas City Red Wings
76
37
36
4
77
301
306
Fort Worth Texans
76
33
39
4
70
260
277
Oklahoma City Stars
76
34
31
1
69
277
311
Tulsa Oilers
76
21
51
4
46
258
357
 
1980 Season
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
80
49
24
7
105
342
259
Indianapolis Checkers
79
40
32
7
87
275
238
Fort Worth Texans
80
37
34
9
83
312
298
Birmingham Bulls
80
36
39
5
77
260
295
Tulsa Oilers
80
34
37
9
77
241
256
Houston Apollos
80
32
38
10
74
300
319
Oklahoma City Stars
80
33
44
3
69
261
268
Dallas Black Hawks
80
29
43
8
66
291
334
U.S. Olympic Team
18
14
3
1
29
85
57
Cincinnati Stingers
33
11
21
1
23
108
151
 
1981 Season
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Dallas Black Hawks
79
56
16
7
119
356
233
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
80
46
29
5
97
368
295
Indianapolis Checkers
80
44
30
6
94
306
238
Oklahoma City Stars
79
39
38
2
80
312
328
Tulsa Oilers
79
33
42
4
70
285
312
Wichita Wind
80
32
45
3
67
307
346
Fort Worth Texans
80
24
53
3
51
201
309
Birmingham Bulls
58
17
37
4
38
204
277
Houston Apollos
33
12
13
8
32
97
98
 
1982 North Division
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
80
47
30
3
97
368
329
Cincinnati Tigers
80
46
30
4
96
375
340
Indianapolis Checkers
80
42
33
5
89
319
259
Nashville South Stars
80
41
35
4
86
313
319
 
1982 South Division
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Wichita Wind
80
44
33
3
91
343
329
Tulsa Oilers
80
43
36
1
97
355
324
Dallas Black Hawks
80
37
37
6
80
394
382
Oklahoma City Stars
80
25
54
1
51
300
397
Fort Worth Texans
80
20
57
3
43
273
401
 
1983 Season
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Indianapolis Checkers
80
50
28
2
102
335
242
Colorado Flames
80
41
36
3
85
322
322
Birmingham South Stars
80
41
37
2
84
297
297
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
80
41
38
1
83
318
312
Tulsa Oilers
80
32
47
1
65
282
321
Wichita Wind
80
29
48
3
61
286
346
 
1984 Season
GP
W
L
T
PTS
GF
GA
 
Colorado Flames
76
48
25
3
99
343
287
Tulsa Oilers
68
36
27
5
77
252
248
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
72
35
35
2
72
334
330
Indianapolis Checkers
72
34
36
2
70
308
289
Montana Magic
76
20
52
4
44
276
381
               
Tulsa was taken over by the league with two months remaining in schedule and played remaining games on road.

Central Hockey League
(1969-1984) Award Winners

League Scoring Champions

Year
 Player Team GP
G
A
 Pts.
       
 
1970
 Jack Egers Omaha 70
42
48
 90
1971
 Pierre Jarry Omaha 71
46
46
 92
1972
 Ross Perkins Ft. Worth 68
41
56
 97
Jean Payette Tulsa 72
33
64
 97
1973
 Lyle Moffat Tulsa 71
40
40
 80
Danny Gruen Ft. Worth 68
35
45
 80
1974
 Wayne Schaab Omaha 72
31
58
 89
1975
 Wayne Schaab Omaha 78
36
49
 85
1976
 Jim Wiley Tulsa 76
33
63
 96
1977
 Steve West OKC 76
33
63
 96
1978
 Doug Palazzari Salt Lake 70
45
56
 101
1979
 Rick Shinske Salt Lake 66
22
66
 88
1980
 Doug Palazzari Salt Lake 74
48
61
 109
1981
 Joe Mullen Salt Lake 80
59
58
 117
1982
 Bobby Francis OKC 80
48
66
 114
1983
 Wes Jarvis Birm. 75
40
68
 108
1984
 Scott MacLeod Salt Lake 68
43
75
 118


Most Valuable Player Award

Year
 Player Team
     
1970
 Dan Johnson Tulsa
1971
 Joe Zanussi Ft. Worth
Gerry Ouellette Omaha
Peter McDuffe Omaha
Andre Dupont Omaha
1972
 Gregg Sheppard OKC
1973
 Mike Cormier Ft. Worth
1974
 Glenn Resch Ft. Worth
1975
 Wayne Schaab Omaha
1976
 Ian McKegney Dallas
1977
 Barclay Plager K.C.
1978
 Doug Palazzari Salt Lake
1979
 Ron Low K.C.
1980
 Doug Palazzari Salt Lake
1981
 Joe Mullen Salt Lake
1982
 Bobby Francis OKC
1983
 Kelly Hrudey Indy.
1984
 Bruce Affleck Indy.
John Vanbiesbrouck Tulsa


Most Valuable Defenseman

Year
 Player Team
   
1970
 Mike Robitaille Omaha
1971
 Andre Dupont Omaha
1972
 Bart Crashley Dallas
1973
 Len Frig Dallas
1974
 Claire Alexander OKC
1975
 Ian McKegney Dallas
1976
 Ian McKegney Dallas
1977
 Mike O'Connell Dallas
1978
 Larry Giroux K.C.
1979
 Greg Hubick Dallas
1980
 Bruce Affleck Dallas
1981
 Bruce Affleck Indy.
1982
 Dan Poulin Nash.
1983
 Gord Dineen Indy.
1984
 Bruce Affleck Indy.

Leading Goaltenders

Year
 Players Team GAA
     
1970
 Serge Aubry Tulsa 2.53
1971
 Peter McDuffe Omaha 2.77
1972
 John Adams OKC
1973
 Mike Veisor Dallas 2.75
1974
 John Voss Omaha 2.83
1975
 Ray Martyniuk Salt Lake 2.96
1976
 Mike Veisor Dallas 2.93
1977
 Gord McRae Dallas 2.71
Yves Belanger K.C. 2.73
1978
 Doug Grant Salt Lake 3.10
Ed Staniowski Salt Lake 3.19
1979
 Terry Richardson Salt Lake 2.53
Doug Grant Salt Lake 2.92
1980
 Richard Brodeur Indy. 2.88
Jim Park Indy. 3.00
1981
 Paul Harrison Dallas 2.70
Ken Ellacott Dallas 3.06
1982
 Kelly Hrudey Indy. 2.95
Rob Holland Indy. 3.41
1983
 Rob Holland Indy. 2.87
Kelly Hrudey Indy. 3.04
1984
 John Vanbiesbrouck Tulsa 3.46
Ron Scott Tulsa 3.81

Rookie of the Year Winners

Year
 Players Team
   
1970
 Andre Dupont Omaha
1971
 Mike Murphy Omaha
1972
 Tom Williams Omaha
1973
 Mike Veisor Dallas
1974
 Claire Alexander OKC
1975
 Guy Chouinard Omaha
1976
 Brad Gassoff Tulsa
1977
 Bernie Federko Kansas City
1978
 Glen Hanlon Tulsa
1979
 Mike Eaves OKC
1980
 Joe Mullen Salt Lake City
1981
 Roland Melanson Indianapolis
1982
 Bobby Francis OKC
1983
 Larry Floyd Wichita
1984
 Scott MacLeod Salt Lake City

Most Improved Defenseman

Year
 Player Team
   
1978
 Mike Hordy Fort Worth
1979
 Jeff Bandura Dallas
1980
 Gord Wappel Birmingham
1981
 Dave Feamster Dallas
1982
 Dan Poulin Nashville
1983
 Gord Dineen Indianapolis
1984
 Grant Ledyard Tulsa

Iron Man Award

Year
 Player Team
   
1977
 Glen Surbey Tulsa
1978
 Duane Wylie Dallas
1979
 Floyd Thomson Salt Lake City
1980
 Darcy Reigier Indianapolis
1981
 Kevin Devine Indianapolis
1982
 Reg Thomas Cincinnati
1983
 Red Laurence Indianapolis
1984
 Chris Pryor Salt Lake City


Playoff MVP

Year
 Player Team
     
1977
 Bill McKenzie Kansas City
1978
 John Anderson Dallas
1979
 Curt Ridley Dallas
1980
 Doug Grant Salt Lake City
1981
 Don Murdoch Wichita
1982
 Kelly Hrudey Indianapolis
1983
 Bruce Affleck Indianapolis
1984
 Bruce Affleck Indianapolis


Coach of the Year

Year
 Coach Team
     
1970
 Marcel Pronovost Tulsa
1971
 Fred Shero Omaha
1972
 Bobby Kromm Dallas
1973
 Fred Creighton Omaha
1974
 Gerry Moore OKC
1975
 Jack Evans Salt Lake City
1976
 Orland Kurtenbach Tulsa
1977
 Johnny Choyce Fort Worth
1978
 Billy MacMillan Fort Worth
1979
 Jack Evans Salt Lake City
John Muckler Dallas
1980
 Jack Evans Salt Lake City
1981
 Dan Belisle Dallas
1982
 Fred Creighton Indianapolis
1983
 Fred Creighton Indianapolis
1984
 Tom Webster Tulsa