Turner Cup


The Turner Cup was the championship trophy of the International Hockey League from 1945 to 2001 and the renamed United Hockey League from 2007 to 2010. The Cup was named for Joe Turner, a goaltender from Windsor, Ontario. Turner became professional with the Detroit Red Wings organization, and played one season with the Indianapolis Capitals in the American Hockey League. Turner was killed in Belgium during World War II, while serving with the United States Army.
It was the championship trophy to the incarnation of the IHL that existed from 1945 to 2001 before it was retired to the Hockey Hall of Fame. In July 2007, the United Hockey League officially changed its name to "International Hockey League". The new IHL put forth a request to the Hockey Hall of Fame to take a controlling interest in the Turner Cup. The name Turner Cup was restored on September 24, 2007 as a tribute to the original IHL. When the incarnation of the IHL that existed from 2007 to 2010 folded, the Cup was retired again and looked to be put back in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Champions and finalists

Championships by franchise

TotalFranchise Season
7Fort Wayne Komets1963, 1965, 1973, 1993, 2008, 2009, 2010
5Cincinnati Mohawks1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957
4Toledo Goaldiggers1975, 1978, 1982, 1983
4Muskegon Zephyrs / Mohawks / Lumberjacks 1962, 1968, 1986, 1989
3Toledo Mercurys1948, 1951, 1952
3Port Huron Flags / Wings 1966, 1971, 1972
3Dayton Gems1969, 1970, 1976
3Salt Lake Golden Eagles / Detroit Vipers 1987, 1988, 1997
2Windsor Spitfires1947, 1949
2St. Paul Saints1960, 1961
2Toledo Blades1964, 1967
2Saginaw Gears1977, 1981
2Kalamazoo Wings1979, 1980
2Peoria Rivermen1985, 1991
2Denver / Utah Grizzlies1995, 1996
2Chicago Wolves1998, 2000
1Detroit Auto Club1946
1Chatham Maroons1950
1Indianapolis Chiefs1958
1Louisville Rebels1959
1Des Moines Capitols1974
1Flint Generals1984
1Indianapolis Ice1990
1Kansas City Blades1992
1Atlanta Knights1994
1Detroit Vipers1997
1Houston Aeros1999
1Orlando Solar Bears2001