Idaho

Idaho is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Idaho has 44 counties and a total population of about 1,800,000 and is 83,570 square miles making Idaho the 38th most populous and 14th largest state in the US.

History of hockey in Idaho

In 1908, Coeur d'Alene organized a team, with E.J. Blanchard as captain. There were talks of them facing Spokane, Washington, in a practice game before the Rossland Winter Carnival. Hockey was a popular sport in Couer d'Alene in 1911, the Academy of the Immaculate Heart of Mary beating the Couer d'Alene Picked Team 3-2 on January 29. A team from Sandpoint was set to face Spokane in a three game series beginning on February 19, 1911, in Sandpoint, but the games did not come off.

In 1925, Spokane tried to arrange a game with Couer d'Alene. Spokane met Couer d'Alene on January 15, 1926, and tied them 1-1. By 1927, the team was known as the Eskimos, and they began battling with Spokane for the L.M. Davenport Trophy in 1928. The Inland Empire Hockey League, composed of two teams from Spokane and the Eskimos, was in place by 1931, and lasted until 1934. The Eskimos later played in the Spokane Amateur League's from 1936-1939. Idaho Falls had hockey by 1933, and played a three game series against Jackson Hole (WY), losing 6-1, 4-2, and 4-0 to them. In 1939, they lost twice to the Logan, Utah, Hockey Club, 9-4 and 11-5. On February 14, 1948, Twin Falls played their inaugural ice hockey game, edging Idaho Falls 5-4. Idaho Falls and Logan (UT) split a two game series, played on February 12-13, 1949, the latter winning the first game 9-8, and the former taking the second, 5-0.

At the amateur level, the Sun Valley Suns were established in late 1975, and are still in operation. The Boise Blades were formed in 1977. Hockey had come to Boise in 1976 with the opening of Treasure Valley Iceland. The Portland Royals beat the Portland Buckaroos 5-4 in the first game at the rink on April 9. The Idaho Steelheads, based in Boise, played in the West Coast Hockey League from 1997-2003, and have competed in the ECHL since then. At the junior level, the Idaho Rattlers played in the Western States Hockey League from 2004-2007, the Idaho Jr. Steelheads were members of it from 2009-2017, becoming the Idaho IceCats in 2017-18, before ceasing operations. The Couer d'Alene Colts (2005-2006) and Lakers (2006-2008) competed in the Northern Pacific Hockey League. The Idaho Falls Spud Kings joined the United States Premier Hockey League in 2022.

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