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.

International Hockey League (1950-1959)

The International Hockey League (1945-2001) was a triple-A level professional minor league in the United States and Canada. For more information on this league visit our International Hockey League page.

This page contains information on the International Hockey League for the years 1950-59.

International Hockey League (1950-1959) Awards

Season
Leading Scorer
MVP
1949-50
Dick Kowcinak Sarnia
Dick Kowcinak Sarnia
1950-51
Herve Parent Grand Rapids
John McGrath Toledo
1951-52
George Parker Grand Rapids
Ernie Dick Chatham
1952-53
Alex Irving Milwaukee
Donnie Marshall Cincinnati
1953-54
Don Hall Johnstown
No Award
1954-55
Phil Goyette Cincinnati
Phil Goyette Cincinnati
1955-56
Max Mekilok Cincinnati
George Hayes Grand Rapids
1956-57
Pierre Brillant Indianapolis
Pierre Brillant Indianapolis
1957-58
Warren Hynes Cincinnati
Pierre Brillant Indianapolis
1958-59
George Ranieri Louisville
Len Thornson Ft. Wayne

All Star Team Selections

1949-50 First Team
Position
Second Team
Fred Sparks Auto Club
Goal
Monty Reynolds Chatham
Leo Dodds Sarnia
Defence
John Drury Hettche
Al Plouffe Chatham
Defence
Jeff Hillier Auto Club
Stu Cousins Sarnia
Left Wing
Pat Cooney Sarnia
Dick Kowcinak Sarnia
Center
Eddie Joss Hettche
Ted Garvin Sarnia
Right Wing
Al Renfrew Auto Club
1950-51 First Team
Position
Second Team
Bill Tibbs Hettche
Goal
Ivan Walmsley Toledo
Harold Johnson Toledo
Defence
Norm Grinke Toledo
John Sneddon Sarnia
Defence
Jack Bownass Hettche
George Parker Grand Rapids
Left Wing
Carl Liscombe Auto Club
Herve Parent Grand Rapids
Center
Barney O'Connell Toledo
Jack Kernahan Toledo
Right Wing
George Burcham Grand Rapids
1951 - 52 First Team
Position
Bill Tibbs Toledo
Goal
Julian Sawchuk Troy
Defence
Al Plouffe Chatham
Defence
George Parker Grand Rapids
Left Wing
Julius Swick Troy
Center
George Drysdale Chatham
Right Wing
1952 - 53 First Team
Position
Second Team
Bill Tibbs Toledo
Goal
Claude Evans Cincinnati
Mickey Keating Cincinnati
Defence
Tom Goodfellow Grand Rapids
Julian Sawchuk Troy
Defence
Doug McCaig Toledo
Russ Kowolchuk Cincinnati
Left Wing
George Parker Grand Rapids
Don Marshall Cincinnati
Center
Julius Swick Troy
Steve Gaber Troy
Right Wing
Eddie Bruneteau Milwaukee
1953 - 54 First Team
Position
Second Team
Bill Tibbs Toledo
Goal
Charlie Hodge Cincinnati
Gaff Turner Grand Rapids
Defence
Mickey Keating Cincinnati
Roly McLenahan Cincinnati
Defence
Ott Heller Marion
Arnie Schmautz Johnstown
Left Wing
Ken Schultz Marion
Gordie Vejprava Marion
Center
Billy Watson Ft. Wayne
Don Hall Johnstown
Right Wing
Bob Rawlyk Troy
1954 - 55 First Team
Position
Second Team
Roy McMeekin Toledo
Goal
Bill Tibbs Troy
Roly McLenahan Cincinnati
Defence
Jack McCarthy Troy
Moose Lallo Grand Rapids
Defence
Doug McCaig Toledo
Don Hall Johnstown
Left Wing
Rick Hogg Grand Rapids
Phil Goyette Cincinnati
Center
John Horvath Johnstown
Gerry Prince Toledo
Right Wing
Denis Boucher Cincinnati
Roly McLenahan Cincinnati
Coach
Doug McCaig Toledo
1955 - 56 First Team
Position
Second Team
Bill Tibbs Troy
Goal
Jacques Marcotte Cincinnati
Roly McLenahan Cincinnati
Defence
Red Olson Troy
Bill Short Ft. Wayne
Defence
Lou Dietrich Troy
Duke Edmundson Cincinnati
Left Wing
Bun Smith Cincinnati
Max Mekilok Cincinnati
Center
Pete Wywrot Ft. Wayne
Warren Hynes Cincinnati
Right Wing
Steve Gaber Troy
Joe Kastelic Ft. Wayne
Nelson Podolsky Troy
Coach
Roly McLenahan Cincinnati
1956 - 57 First Team
Position
Second Team
Glenn Ramsay Cincinnati
Goal
Cliff Hicks Indianapolis
Moe Mantha Cincinnati
Defence
Lou Marcon Cincinnati
Red Olson Troy
Defence
Butch MacKay Cincinnati
Bun Smith Cincinnati
Left Wing
Duke Edmundson Cincinnati
Billy Gould Cincinnati
Center
Art Stone Ft. Wayne
Pierre Brillant Indianapolis
Right Wing
Eddie Long Ft. Wayne
Roly McLenahan Cincinnati
Coach
Leo Lamoureux Indianapolis
1957 - 58 First Team
Position
Second Team
Glenn Ramsay Cincinnati
Goal
Cliff Hicks Indianapolis
Fiori Goegan Louisville
Defence
Butch MacKay Cincinnati
Lou Marcon Cincinnati
Defence
Orrin Gould Ft. Wayne
Bun Smith Cincinnati
Left Wing
Gary Sharp Louisville
Marc Boileau Indianapolis
Center
Bill Sutherland Cincinnati
Len Thornson Ft. Wayne
Pierre Brillant Indianapolis
Right Wing
Warren Hynes Cincinnati
Billy Gould Cincinnati
Coach
Leo Lamoureux Indianapolis
1958 - 59 First Team
Position
Second Team
Don Rigazio Louisville
Goal
Cliff Hicks Indianapolis
Butch MacKay Troy
Defence
Lloyd McKey Indianapolis
Bill Short Indianapolis
Defence
Orrin Gould Ft. Wayne
George Ranieri Louisville
Left Wing
Len Ronson Ft. Wayne
Len Thornson Ft. Wayne
Center
Brian Kilrea Troy
Pierre Brillant Indianapolis
Right Wing
Andy Milne Troy
Norm Waslawski Ft. Wayne
Ken Ullyot Ft. Wayne
Coach
Leo Gasparini Louisville

International Hockey League (1950-1959) Seasons

1950 Season
GP
W
L
T
GF
GA
Pts
 
Sarnia Sailors
40
26
11
3
219
136
55
Detroit Auto Club
40
19
14
7
170
139
45
Chatham Maroons
40
19
18
3
152
148
41
Detroit Hettche
40
15
21
4
157
191
34
Windsor Ryan Cretes
40
10
25
5
152
236
25
 
1951 Season
GP
W
L
T
GF
GA
Pts
 
Grand-Rapids Rockets
56
39
11
6
274
165
84
Toledo Mercurys
56
35
15
6
290
174
76
Chatham Maroons
52
25
23
4
211
215
59
Sarnia Sailors
52
24
19
9
226
191
59
Detroit Auto Club
52
10
32
10
136
238
31
Detroit Hettche
52
6
39
7
112
266
19
 
1952 Season
GP
W
L
T
GF
GA
Pts
 
Grand-Rapids Rockets
48
29
13
6
213
156
64
Toledo Mercurys
48
24
18
6
210
192
54
Troy Bruins
48
23
19
6
211
180
52
Chatham Maroons
48
22
23
3
206
218
47
Detroit Hettche
48
10
35
3
138
232
23
 
1953 Season
GP
W
L
T
GF
GA
Pts
 
Cincinnati Mohawks
60
43
13
4
310
152
90
Troy Bruins
60
34
21
5
264
221
73
Toledo Mercurys
60
32
25
3
210
207
67
Grand-Rapids Rockets
60
27
32
1
231
257
55
Fort Wayne Komets
60
20
38
2
182
244
42
Milwaukee Chiefs
60
15
42
3
234
350
33
 
1954 Season
GP
W
L
T
GF
GA
Pts
 
Cincinnati Mohawks
64
47
15
2
325
153
96
Marion Barons
64
40
24
0
279
207
80
Johnstown Jets
65
35
27
3
254
221
73
Toledo Mercurys
64
33
26
5
221
157
71
Troy Bruins
64
31
32
1
241
258
63
Fort Wayne Komets
64
29
30
5
203
220
63
Grand-Rapids Rockets
64
29
32
3
252
274
61
Louisville Shooting Stars
64
18
42
4
202
331
40
Milwaukee Chiefs
64
13
48
3
187
343
29
 
1955 Season
GP
W
L
T
GF
GA
Pts
 
Cincinnati Mohawks
60
40
19
1
268
164
81
Troy Bruins
60
31
27
2
190
180
64
Toledo Mercurys
60
31
29
0
183
196
62
Grand-Rapids Rockets
60
28
31
1
199
215
57
Johnstown Jets
60
25
34
1
188
215
51
Fort Wayne Komets
60
22
37
1
181
235
45
 
1956 Season
GP
W
L
T
GF
GA
Pts
 
Cincinnati Mohawks
60
45
13
2
336
159
92
Troy Bruins
60
39
20
1
216
152
79
Fort Wayne Komets
60
29
29
2
272
219
60
Toledo/Marion Mercurys
60
25
30
5
178
229
55
Grand-Rapids Rockets
60
24
33
3
198
237
51
Indianapolis Chiefs
60
11
48
1
126
330
23
 
1957 Season
GP
W
L
T
GF
GA
Pts
 
Cincinnati Mohawks
60
50
9
1
245
113
101
Indianapolis Chiefs
60
26
29
5
168
177
57
Huntington Hornets
60
26
30
4
180
188
56
Toledo Mercurys
60
26
30
4
166
186
56
Fort Wayne Komets
60
25
29
6
170
177
56
Troy Bruins
60
15
41
4
135
223
34
 
1958 Season
GP
W
L
T
GF
GA
Pts
 
Cincinnati Mohawks
64
43
16
5
303
176
91
Fort Wayne Komets
64
28
28
8
213
224
64
Louisville Rebels
64
30
31
3
239
263
63
Indianapolis Chiefs
64
28
30
6
209
208
62
Toledo Mercurys
64
26
32
6
214
248
58
Troy Bruins
64
20
38
6
192
251
46
 
1959 Season
GP
W
L
T
GF
GA
Pts
 
Louisville Rebels
60
35
24
1
280
197
71
Fort Wayne Komets
60
32
27
1
236
213
65
Troy Bruins
60
30
28
2
245
283
62
Indianapolis Chiefs
60
26
30
4
231
247
56
Toledo Mercurys
60
22
36
2
196
248
46

International Hockey League (1950-1959) Playoffs

Season
Finals
Semi Finals
Quarter Finals
         
1949-50
Chatham Maroons beat
Sarnia Sailors 4 games to 3
  Chatham Maroons beat Detroit Auto Club 3 games to 1
Sarnia Sailors beat Detroit Hettche 3 games to 0
   
1950-51
Toledo Mercurys beat Grand Rapids Rockets 4 games to 1   Toledo Mercurys beat Sarnia Sailors 3 games to 0
Grand Rapids Rockets beat Chatham Maroons 3 games to 0
   
1951-52
Toledo Mercurys beat Grand Rapids Rockets 4 games to 2   Toledo Mercurys beat Chatham Maroons 4 games to 0
Grand Rapids Rockets beat Troy Bruins 4 games to 3
   
1952-53
Cincinnati Mohawks beat Grand Rapids Rockets 4 games to 0   Cincinnati Mohawks beat Toledo Mercurys 4 games to 1
Grand Rapids Rockets beat Troy Bruins 4 games to 2
   
1953-54
Cincinnati Mohawks beat Johnstown Jets 4 games to 2   Cincinnati Mohawks beat Marion Barons 4 games to 1
Johnstown Jets beat Toledo Mercurys 2 games to 0
  Johnstown Jets beat Ft. Wayne Komets 2 games to 0
Toledo Mercurys beat Troy Bruins 2 games to 1
1954-55
Cincinnati Mohawks beat Troy Bruins 4 games to 3   Cincinnati Mohawks beat Toledo Mercurys 3 games to 0
Troy Bruins beat Grand Rapids Rockets 3 games to 1
   
1955-56
Cincinnati Mohawks beat Toledo Mercurys 4 games to 0   Cincinnati Mohawks beat Ft. Wayne Komets 3 games to 1
Toledo Mercurys beat Troy Bruins 3 games to 2
   
1956-57
Cincinnati Mohawks beat Indianapolis Chiefs 3 games to 0   Cincinnati Mohawks beat Hubtington Hornets 3 games to 1
Indianapolis Chiefs beat Toledo Mercurys 3 games to 2
   
1957-58
Indianapolis Chiefs beat Louisville Rebels 4 games to 3   Indianapolis Chiefs beat Ft. Wayne Komets 3 games to 1
Louisville Rebels beat Cincinnati Mohawks 3 games to 1
   
1958-59
Louisville Rebels beat Ft. Wayne Komets 4 games to 2   Louisville Rebels beat Troy Bruins 4 games to 1
Ft. Wayne Komets beat Indianapolis Chiefs 4 games to 1