PCHL 1944-1952
The final incarnation of the league was managed by Hockey Hall of Fame member Al Leader, and grew out of combining teams from the Southern California Hockey League and the Northwest International Hockey League. The PCHL was founded as an amateur loop, partly because the National Hockey League recognized Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA) founder Lester Patrick as the territorial rights holder for professional hockey in Vancouver, Portland and Seattle. In 1948, however, the ten team league voted to turn pro, and was recognized as such by the NHL.
In 1951, having dwindled to a six team league, the PCHL merged with the Western Canada Senior Hockey League, adding three new franchises on the Canadian prairies. One year later, the league became the Western Hockey League.
The PCHL championship trophy was the President's Cup.
Read more about this topic: Pacific Coast Hockey League