Pacific Coast Hockey League [1928-1931] history and statistics

The Pacific Coast Hockey League was a minor professional hockey league that operated in the Pacific Northwest of North America for three seasons, from 1928 to 1931. The league filled the void in this geographic region that was created when the major-league Western Hockey League was dismantled following the 1925-26 season.

The PCHL was governed by Frank Patrick, a major force in Pacific Coast hockey, having founded the first major professional hockey league in the West in 1911.

The PCHL had a relationship with the California Hockey League, and in 1930-31, at least one exhibition game was played between the leagues. There was sentiment that the leagues might eventually join together.

On November 10, 1929, about two weeks before the start of the league's second season, the Victoria Arena burned down, displacing the Victoria Cubs. The league discussed whether to continue as a three-team league or to allow Victoria to play as a road-only team. It chose the l... [Click for more]atter strategy, dividing up Victoria's home games between the three other cities.

The city of Tacoma had expressed interest in fielding a hockey team during this time, and following the 1929-30 season the Victoria Cubs were sold to Tacoma interests. A rink was scheduled to be built in that city, but the financing fell through and the team, known as the Tacoma Tigers, opened the season on the road. As time went on, it became evident that no arena would be built, so the league voted to disband the Tigers on January 1, 1931. The league finished the season with three teams - Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver.

During the summer of 1931, the teams contemplated their ability to play as a three-team league. Tacoma had started construction of an arena, and it was initially reported that the league would include this city, and the cities of Seattle and Portland were interested in continuing on. The city of Victoria also investigated the installation of ice-making equipment in another arena. Several players arrived in Seattle to train for the upcoming season. There was general optimism for the future of Pacific hockey.

Frank Patrick, though, was not as enthused of the idea of continuing the league, and was quoted that he was tired of involvement in the hockey scene. It was also rumored that the Vancouver Lions, which were controlled by Guy Patrick (brother of Frank), had quietly sold the rights to many of its star players to NHL teams.

At the league's annual meeting on October 15, 1931, it was revealed that discussion was underway with groups in Calgary and Edmonton, with the idea of forming a six-team league. Additionally, Tacoma was awarded a new franchise.

Unfortunately, a disagreement ensued between Frank Patrick and Hugh Caldwell, the president of the Seattle hockey club. Caldwell accused Patrick of having financial interests in both the Portland and Vancouver clubs, and did not agree with Patrick's suggestion to divide the cost of placing a team in Tacoma. Frank Patrick submitted his resignation, but no action was taken on it. Caldwell contemplated pulling out of the league in opposition to what he called "syndicate hockey".

The news became progressively worse. Portland reported having lost money on its team the prior season, and was rumored to want to move to Calgary. By October 20, Hugh Caldwell took steps to dispose of players under contract to Seattle, effectively pulling out of the PCHL. His dispute with Calder was deep, and he refused to sell his players to any team that would also deal with Calder. Seattle went dark for hockey.

Calder continued to try and assemble a four-team Pacific Coast Hockey League, with teams in Vancouver, Tacoma, Edmonton, and Calgary, however with the start of the hockey season fast approaching, it was too great a task in too short a time. On November 5, 1931 Calder admitted defeat, and called the league off.