About the WSHL

The Western States Hockey League (WSHL) is an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) sanctioned, Tier II Junior "A" hockey league that has been in continuous existence since 1994.

Started by Dr. Don Thorne, whom the league championship trophy is named after, the WSHL began play in 1994 as the first junior hockey league on the west coast of the United States and is now entering its 20th season of play in 2013.

Year one consisted of six teams, spanning Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah, with all member clubs playing a 30-game schedule. The Anaheim Jr. Ducks won the first-ever Thorne Cup Championship that year and is the only franchise from the inaugural season still in existence, now operating as the Long Beach Bombers.

Current Commissioner Ron White took over operation of the WSHL in 1995 and continued to expand it over time, eventually getting it to where it is today, 30-teams stretching across 14 states, making it the second largest junior hockey league in North America.

The WSHL has had numerous teams attend and win the USA Hockey National Championship over the years and most recently, the El Paso Rhinos were crowned the United Hockey Union National Champions in 2014.

Whether it was comprised of as little as six or as many as 30 member clubs, the WSHL’s overwhelming goal has always been centered on developing hockey players, both on the ice and off, and helping them reach their goals through the sport they love. The WSHL has had great success in moving players on to the college hockey ranks through the “Western States Shootout”, an annual all-league showcase held every December in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event averages in excess of 80 scouts in attendance, all of whom are looking to bolster their roster for the following season.

The 2014-2015 regular season will feature 30 teams competing across four divisions, all playing a 46-game regular season schedule, which mimics what players would experience at the collegiate level.

WSHL Timeline

1994-1995  (Inaugural season, six member clubs playing a 30-game schedule)

• Anaheim Junior Ducks (Lake Arrowhead, California) League Champion
• Arizona Bandits (Phoenix, Arizona)
• Las Vegas Junior Aces (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• San Jose Junior Sharks (San Jose, California)
• Utah Lightning (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Ventura Mariners (Simi Valley, California)

1995-1996 (Five member clubs playing a 32-game schedule)

• Anaheim Junior Ducks (Anaheim, California) League Champion
• Las Vegas Junior Thunder (Las Vegas, Nevada) Formerly Las Vegas Junior Aces
• San Jose Junior Sharks (San Jose, California)
• Utah Lightning (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Ventura Mariners (Simi Valley, California)

1996-1997 (Seven member clubs, one inactive, playing a 34-game schedule)

• Alaska Arctic lce (Anchorage. Alaska)
• Flagstaff Mountaineers (Flagstaff, Arizona) League Champion
• Las Vegas Junior Thunder (Las Vegas, Nevada) Inactive
• New Mexico Ice Breakers (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
• Southern California Junior Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Utah Junior Grizzlies (Salt Lake City, Utah) Formerly Utah Lightning
• Ventura Mariners (Simi Valley, California)

1997-1998 (12 member clubs, Northern Division playing a 30-game schedule and Southern Division playing a 36-game schedule)

Northern Division

• Alaska Arctic Ice (Anchorage, Alaska)
• Fairbanks Ice Dogs (Fairbanks, Alaska) Northern Division Champion
• Peninsula Hellfighters (Kenai Peninsula, Alaska)
• Sinbad Sailors (Anchorage, Alaska)

Southern Division

• Colorado Cougars (Denver, Colorado)
• Flagstaff Mountaineers (Flagstaff, Arizona) Southern Division & League Champion
• Las Vegas Bandits (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• New Mexico Ice Breakers (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
• Southern California Junior Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Utah Junior Grizzlies (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Utah Valley Golden Eagles (Provo, Utah)
• Ventura Mariners (Simi Valley, California)

1998-1999 (14 member clubs, Northern Division playing a 30-game schedule and Southern Division playing a 42-game schedule)

Northern Division

• Alaska Arctic Ice (Anchorage, Alaska)
• Fairbanks Ice Dogs (Fairbanks, Alaska) Northern Division Champion
• Peninsula Hellfighters (Kenai Peninsula, Alaska)
• Sinbad Sailors (Anchorage, Alaska)
• Yukon Claim Jumpers (Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada)

Southern Division

• Colorado Cougars (Denver, Colorado)
• Flagstaff Mountaineers (Flagstaff, Arizona)
• Las Vegas Blackjacks (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Nevada Gamblers (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• New Mexico Ice Breakers (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
• Southern California Junior Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Utah Junior Grizzlies (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Utah Valley Golden Eagles (Provo, Utah)
• Ventura Mariners (Simi Valley. California) Southern Division & League Champion

1999-2000 (Seven member clubs playing a 40-game schedule)

• Nevada Gamblers (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• New Mexico Ice Breakers (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
• Phoenix Polar Bears (Phoenix, Arizona)
• Southern California Junior Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Utah Junior Grizzlies (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Utah Valley Golden Eagles (Provo, Utah)
• Ventura Mariners (Simi Valley. California) League and National Champion

2000-2001 (Seven member clubs playing a 40-game schedule)

• Las Vegas Outlaws (Las Vegas. Nevada)
• New Mexico Ice Breakers (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
• Phoenix Polar Bears (Phoenix, Arizona)
• Southern California Junior Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Utah Junior Grizzlies (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Utah Valley Golden Eagles (Provo, Utah)
• Ventura Mariners (Simi Valley. California) League Champion

2001-2002 (Seven member clubs playing a 38-game schedule)

• Nevada Rattlers (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Phoenix Polar Bears (Phoenix, Arizona) League Champion
• Salt Lake Maple Leafs (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• San Diego Surf (San Diego, California)
• Southern California Junior Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Utah Valley Golden Eagles (Provo, Utah)
• Valencia Flyers (Valencia, California)

2002-2003 (Seven member clubs playing a 38-game schedule)

• Capital Thunder (Roseville, California)
• Nevada Rattlers (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Phoenix Polar Bears (Phoenix, Arizona) League and USA Hockey Junior “B” National Champions
• Salt Lake Junior Grizzlies (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• San Diego Surf (San Diego, California)
• Southern California Junior Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Valencia Flyers (Valencia, California)

2003-2004 (Five member clubs playing a 38-game schedule)

• Capital Thunder (Roseville, California)
• Phoenix Polar Bears (Phoenix, Arizona) League Champion
• Salt Lake Jr. Grizzlies (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• San Diego Surf (San Diego, California)
• Southern California Junior Bombers (Lakewood, California)

WSHL sent champion and runner up (Phoenix Polar Bears and Capital Thunder) to U.S.A. Hockey Junior “B” National Championships

2004-2005 (Seven member clubs playing a 38-game schedule)

• Bazooka Blues (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
• Dallas Titans (Dallas, Texas)
• Idaho Rattlers (Boise, Idaho)
• Phoenix Polar Bears (Phoenix, Arizona) League Champion
• San Diego Surf (San Diego, California)
• Southern California Junior Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Valencia Vipers (Valencia, California)

WSHL sent champion (Phoenix Polar Bears) to U.S.A. Hockey Jr. “B” National Championships

2005-2006 (12 member clubs playing a 42-game schedule)

Western Division

• Capital Thunder (Roseville, California)
• Idaho Rattlers (Boise, Idaho)
• Peoria Coyotes (Peoria, Arizona)
• Phoenix Polar Bears (Phoenix, Arizona) Western Division Champion
• San Diego Surf (San Diego, California)
• Southern California Junior Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Valencia Vipers (Valencia, California)

Midwest Division

• Bazooka Blues (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
• Cajun Catahoulas (Lafayette, Louisiana)
• Dallas Titans (Dallas, Texas)
• Fort Worth Texans (Fort Worth, Texas) Midwest Division and League Champion
• San Antonio Diablo’s (San Antonio, Texas)

The Fort Worth Texans and Phoenix Polar Bears represented the WSHL at the USA Hockey National Championships in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2006-2007 (13 member clubs playing a 47-game schedule)

Western Division

• Capital Thunder (Roseville, California)
• Long Beach Bulldogs (Lakewood, California)
• Peoria Coyotes (Peoria, Arizona)
• Phoenix Polar Bears (Phoenix, Arizona) Western Division and League Champion
• San Diego Surf (San Diego, California)
• Southern California Junior Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Tucson Tilt (Tucson, Arizona)
• Valencia Vipers (Valencia, California)

Midwest Division

• Cajun Catahoulas (Lafayette, Louisiana)
• Dallas Hawks (Addison, Texas)
• El Paso Rhinos (El Pas, Texas) Midwest Division and League Runner-Up
• San Antonio Diablo’s (San Antonio, Texas)
• Tulsa Rampage (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
• Phoenix Polar Bears and El Paso Rhinos both attended USA Hockey National Championships in Marlborough, Massachusetts

2007-2008 (11 member clubs playing a 51-game schedule)

Western Division

• Colorado Outlaws (Westminster, Colorado)
• Capital Thunder (Roseville, California)
• Phoenix Polar Bears (Phoenix, Arizona) Western Division Champion and League Runner-Up
• San Diego Surf (San Diego, California)
• Southern California Junior Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Valencia Vipers (Valencia, California)

Midwest Division

• Cajun Catahoulas (Lafayette Louisiana)
• Dallas Hawks (Addison, Texas)
• El Paso Rhinos (El Pas, Texas) Midwest Division and League Champion
• San Antonio Diablo’s (San Antonio, Texas)
• Tulsa Rampage (Tulsa, Oklahoma)

Phoenix Polar Bears and El Paso Rhinos both attended USA Hockey National Championships in Marlborough, Massachusetts and the Polar Bears finished in third place

2008-2009 (11 member clubs playing a 49-game schedule)

Western Division

• Capital Thunder (Roseville California)
• Colorado Outlaws (Westminster Colorado)
• Phoenix Polar Bears (Phoenix, Arizona) Western Division and League Champion
• San Diego Gulls (San Diego, California)
• Southern California Junior Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Valencia Vipers (Valencia, California)

Midwest Division

• Dallas Hawks (Addison, Texas)
• El Paso Rhinos (El Paso, Texas) Midwest Division Champion and League Runner-Up
• San Antonio Diablo’s (San Antonio, Texas)
• Texas Renegades (Dallas, Texas)
• Tulsa Rampage (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
• Phoenix Polar Bears and El Paso Rhinos both attended USA Hockey National Championships in Marlborough, Massachusetts

2009-2010 (13 member clubs playing a 49-game schedule)

Western Division

• Arizona Redhawks (Peoria Arizona)
• Bakersfield Junior Condors (Bakersfield, California)
• Fresno Monsters (Fresno, California)
• Idaho Junior Steelheads (Boise, Idaho)
• Phoenix Polar Bears (Phoenix, Arizona) Western Division and League Champion
• San Diego Gulls (San Diego, California)
• Southern California Junior Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Valencia Flyers (Valencia, California)

Midwest Division

• Boulder Bison (Superior, Colorado) Midwest Division Champion & League Runner-Up
• El Paso Rhinos (El Paso, Texas)
• New Mexico Renegades (Rio Rancho, New Mexico)
• San Antonio Diablo’s (San Antonio, Texas)
• Tulsa Rampage (Tulsa, Oklahoma)

Phoenix Polar Bears and Boulder Bison both attended USA Hockey National Championships in Marlborough, Massachusetts

2010-2011 (13 member clubs playing a 45-game schedule)

Western Division

• Arizona Redhawks (Peoria Arizona)
• Bakersfield Junior Condors (Bakersfield, California)
• Fresno Monsters (Fresno, California)
• Idaho Junior Steelheads (Boise, Idaho)- Western Division and League Champion, 3rd Place at USA Hockey National Championships
• Long Beach Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Phoenix Polar Bears (Phoenix, Arizona)
• San Diego Gulls (San Diego, California)
• Valencia Flyers (Valencia, California)

Midwest Division

• Boulder Bison (Superior, Colorado)
• El Paso Rhinos (El Paso, Texas)- Midwest Division Champion & League Runner-up, 2nd Place at USA Hockey National Championships
• Texas (North Richland Hills, Texas)
• New Mexico Renegades (Rio Rancho, New Mexico)
• Tulsa Rampage (Tulsa, Oklahoma)

2011-2012 (16 member clubs playing a 46-game schedule)

Western Division

• Arizona Redhawks (Peoria Arizona)
• Fresno Monsters (Fresno, California) Western Division Champion
• Long Beach Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Phoenix Knights (Phoenix, Arizona)
• San Diego Gulls (San Diego, California)
• Valencia Flyers (Valencia, California)

Midwest Division

• Dallas Ice Jets (Grapevine, Texas) Thorne Cup Runner-Up
• Dallas Snipers (Plano, Texas)
• El Paso Rhinos (El Paso, Texas) Mid-West Conference Champion, Thorne Cup Finals host
• New Mexico Renegades (Rio Rancho, New Mexico)
• Texas (North Richland Hills, Texas)

Mountain Division

• Boulder Bison (Superior, Colorado)
• Cheyenne Stampede (Cheyenne, Wyoming)
• Idaho Junior Steelheads (Boise, Idaho) Mountain Division and Thorne Cup Champion
• Ogden Mustangs (Ogden, Utah)
• Park City Moose (Park City, Utah)

2012-2013 (22 member clubs playing a 46-game schedule)

Midwest Division

• Dallas Ice Jets (Grapevine, Texas) Midwest Division Champion
• Dallas Snipers (Plano, Texas)
• Texas (North Richland Hills, Texas)
• Tulsa Junior Oilers (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
• Wichita Junior Thunder (Wichita, Kansas)

Mountain Division

• Arizona Redhawks (Peoria, Arizona)
• Boulder Bison (Superior, Colorado)
• Cheyenne Stampede (Cheyenne, Wyoming)
• El Paso Rhinos (El Paso, Texas) Mountain Division Champion
• New Mexico Renegades (Rio Rancho, New Mexico)
• Phoenix Knights (Chandler, Arizona)

Northwest Division

• Idaho Junior Steelheads (McCall, Idaho) Northwest Division, Thorne Cup and United Hockey Union National Champion
• Ogden Mustangs (Ogden, Utah)
• Salt Lake City Moose (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Seattle Totems (Mountlake Terrace, Washington)
• Southern Oregon Spartans (Medford, Oregon)

Pacific Division

• Bay Area Seals (Daly City, California) Pacific Division Champion, Thorne Cup Runner-Up and United Hockey Union National Championship Runner-Up
• Fresno Monsters (Fresno, California)
• Long Beach Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Ontario Avalanche (Ontario, California)
• San Diego Gulls (San Diego, California)
• Valencia Flyers (Valencia, California)

WSHL Champion Idaho Junior Steelheads and runner-up Bay Area Seals both competed in the inaugural United Hockey Union National Championships and finished the same way, Idaho as champion and Bay Area as runner-up.

2013-2014 (24 member clubs playing a 46-game schedule)

Midwest Division

• Dallas Ice Jets (Grapevine, Texas)
• Dallas Snipers (Plano, Texas)
• El Paso Rhinos (El Paso, Texas) Midwest Division, Thorne Cup and United Hockey Union National Champion
• Texas (North Richland Hills, Texas)
• Tulsa Junior Oilers (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
• Wichita Junior Thunder (Wichita, Kansas)

Mountain Division

• Arizona Redhawks (Peoria, Arizona)
• Boulder Bison (Superior, Colorado)
• Cheyenne Stampede (Cheyenne, Wyoming)
• Colorado Jr. Eagles (Fort Collins, Colorado) Expansion Franchise
• New Mexico Renegades (Rio Rancho, New Mexico)
• Phoenix Knights (Chandler, Arizona) Mountain Division Champion

Northwest Division

• Idaho Junior Steelheads (McCall, Idaho) Thorne Cup and UHU Runners-up
• Missoula Maulers (Missoula, Montana) Northwest Division Champion
• Ogden Mustangs (Ogden, Utah)
• Salt Lake City Moose (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Seattle Totems (Mountlake Terrace, Washington)
• Southern Oregon Spartans (Medford, Oregon)

Pacific Division

• Fresno Monsters (Fresno, California) Pacific Division Champion
• Lake Tahoe Blue (South Lake Tahoe, California) Formerly the Bay Area Seals
• Long Beach Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Ontario Avalanche (Ontario, California)
• San Diego Gulls (San Diego, California)
• Valencia Flyers (Valencia, California)

2014-2015 (28 member clubs playing a 46-game schedule)

Midwest Division

• Dallas Snipers (Plano, Texas)
• El Paso Rhinos (El Paso, Texas) Midwest Division Title
• Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
• Springfield Express (Springfield, Missouri)
• Tulsa Junior Oilers (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
• Wichita Jr. Thunder (Wichita, Kansas)

Mountain Division

• Casper Coyotes (Casper, Wyoming) Mountain Division Title
• Cheyenne Stampede (Cheyenne, Wyoming)
• Colorado Evolution (Denver, Colorado)
• Colorado Jr. Eagles (Fort Collins, Colorado)
• Colorado RoughRiders (Superior, Colorado)
• Ogden Mustangs (Ogden, Utah)
• Salt Lake City Moose (West Valley City, Utah)

Northwest Division

• Butte Cobras (Butte, Montana)
• Idaho Junior Steelheads (McCall, Idaho) Northwest and Thorne Cup Champions
• Lake Tahoe Blue (South Lake Tahoe, California)
• Missoula Maulers (Missoula, Montana)
• Seattle Totems (Mountlake Terrace, Washington)
• Southern Oregon Spartans (Medford, Oregon)
• Whitefish Wolverines (Whitefish, Montana)

Western Division

• Arizona Redhawks (Peoria, Arizona)
• Fresno Monsters (Fresno, California) Western Division Title
• Las Vegas Storm (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Long Beach Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Ontario Avalanche (Ontario, California)
• Phoenix Knights (Gilbert, Arizona)
• San Diego Gulls (San Diego, California)
• Valencia Flyers (Valencia, California)

2015-2016 (29 member clubs playing a 46-game schedule)

Midwest Division

• Dallas Snipers (Plano, Texas)
• El Paso Rhinos (El Paso, Texas)
• Oklahoma City Blazers (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) Midwest Division Title
• Springfield Express (Springfield, Missouri)
• Tulsa Jr. Oilers (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
• Wichita Jr. Thunder (Wichita, Kansas)

Mountain Division

• Casper Coyotes (Casper, Wyoming)
• Cheyenne Stampede (Cheyenne, Wyoming)
• Colorado Evolution (Denver, Colorado) Mountain Division Title
• Colorado Jr. Eagles (Fort Collins, Colorado)
• Ogden Mustangs (Ogden, Utah)
• Salt Lake City Moose (West Valley City, Utah)
• Superior RoughRiders (Superior, Colorado)

Northwest Division

• Butte Cobras (Butte, Montana)
• Idaho Jr. Steelheads (McCall, Idaho) Northwest Title and Thorne Cup Champions
• Missoula Maulers (Missoula, Montana)
• Seattle Totems (Mountlake Terrace, Washington)
• Southern Oregon Spartans (Medford, Oregon)
• Tahoe Icement (South Lake Tahoe, California)
• Whitefish Wolverines (Whitefish, Montana)
• Vancouver Rangers (Vancouver, Washington)

Western Division

• Arizona Hawks (Peoria, Arizona)
• Fresno Monsters (Fresno, California)
• Las Vegas Storm (Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Long Beach Bombers (Lakewood, California)
• Ontario Avalanche (Ontario, California)
• Phoenix Knights (Gilbert, Arizona)
• San Diego Sabers (San Diego, California)
• Valencia Flyers (Valencia, California) Western Division Title