1976–77 IHL season

The 1976–77 IHL season was the 32nd season of the International Hockey League (IHL), a North American minor professional league. Nine teams participated in the regular season, and the Saginaw Gears won the Turner Cup.

Inquiry into professional sports

IHL commissioner Bill Beagan testified at the July 1976 United States House of Representatives inquiry into professional sports, which investigated United States antitrust law, the effect of United States nationality law, finances of leagues and their franchises, and violence in sport.[1] He stated that IHL players were not considered professionals despite receiving some compensation, and were classified as amateurs by the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States (AHAUS).[2] He testified that the IHL was the largest financial contributor to AHAUS at the time, had an agreement with the National Hockey League (NHL) to develop on-ice officials and players, but the World Hockey Association (WHA) showed no interested in negotiating any agreement.[3] Beagan felt that the NHL was no longer able to contribute much towards amateur programs in the United States or Canada due to competition from the WHA, which undermined the IHL.[4] He stated the league faced challenges to maintain quality due to changes to immigration laws which deterred participation by players and referees who were Canadian.[2]

Regular season
Northern Division GP W L T GF GA Pts
Saginaw Gears7840271133829291
Kalamazoo Wings7838271332529089
Flint Generals7835331034230680
Muskegon Mohawks7831361129432273
Port Huron Flags782743826832862
Southern Division GP W L T GF GA Pts
Toledo Goaldiggers784031732131787
Dayton Gems783538530431275
Fort Wayne Komets7832361030131174
Columbus Owls7828351529430971

Turner Cup-Playoffs
Turner Cup-Quarterfinals Turner Cup-Semifinals Turner Cup-Final
         
N1 Saginaw Gears 4
N4 Muskegon Mohawks 3
N1 Saginaw Gears 4
N2 Kalamazoo Wings 1
N2 Kalamazoo Wings 4
N3 Flint Generals 1
N1 Saginaw Gears 4
S1 Toledo Goaldiggers 3
S1 Toledo Goaldiggers 4
S4 Columbus Owls 3
S1 Toledo Goaldiggers 4
S3 Fort Wayne Komets 1
S2 Dayton Gems 0
S3 Fort Wayne Komets 4

References

General

  • Inquiry Into Professional Sports: Hearings Before the House Select Committee on Professional Sports, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1976 – via Google Books

Specific

  1. "IHL Head To Testify". Benton Harbor Herald Palladium. Benton Harbor, Michigan. July 28, 1976. p. 40.
  2. Inquiry Into Professional Sports (1976), p. 329
  3. Inquiry Into Professional Sports (1976), p. 356
  4. Inquiry Into Professional Sports (1976), p. 330
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