How did the American Hockey League start?
In 1936, the Canadian-American Hockey League merged with the International Hockey League to form what is today known as the American Hockey League (AHL). Eight teams hit the ice that first season, playing in familiar cities like Cleveland, Springfield, Philadelphia, Providence and Syracuse. Frank Calder, the NHL’s president at the time, was instrumental in the forming of the new league, and his name would be given to its championship trophy. The first Calder Cup was won by the Syracuse Stars, beginning a tradition that continued in 2005 when the Philadelphia Phantoms were crowned AHL champions. What is the history of pro hockey in Cleveland? The Cleveland Indians (IHL) (1929-1933) The roots of professional hockey in Cleveland traces back to the Cleveland Indians, who began play in the International Hockey League in 1929-30. The Indians played for five seasons, until being renamed the Cleveland Falcons for the 1934-35 season. The Cleveland Falcons (IHL) (1934-1936) The Cleveland Falcons
