The Maritime Major Hockey League was a semi-professional men's senior ice hockey league which operated for four seasons from 1950 to 1954, in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The league competed for the Alexander Cup as part of the Major Series operated by the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA).[1][2] Agreements were made with the National Hockey League to limit the number of players that could be drafted from the Major Series and the corresponding draft payment made to teams in the Maritime Major Hockey League.[3][4][5]
CAHA president W. B. George announced that the Alexander Cup was to be retired due to the lack of interest.[6] By October 1953, four of the original five leagues which competed for the trophy had withdrawn, with only the Maritime Major Hockey League remaining. George ruled out competing for the Allan Cup due to the semi-professional nature of the league and suggested a different trophy be awarded.[7] Teams in the Maritimes accused George and the CAHA of trying to scuttle the league,[8] and a compromise was reached where only the Maritime Major Hockey League competed for the Alexander Cup during the 1953–54 season.[9][10]
- ^ "Super League To Discuss Contracts". Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg, Manitoba. June 15, 1950. p. 24.
- ^ "Senior Setup To Be Aired". Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. June 15, 1950. p. 29.
- ^ Sullivan, Jack (October 27, 1950). "Super-Duper Series". Lethbridge Herald. Lethbridge, Alberta. p. 15.
- ^ "Pro-Amateur Pact Ratified". Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. January 2, 1951. p. 14.
- ^ "Puck Chiefs Come To An Agreement". Winnipeg Free Press. Winnipeg, Manitoba. May 27, 1952. p. 16.
- ^ "Alexander Cup Is Dropped From Puck Competition". Lethbridge Herald. Lethbridge, Alberta. October 21, 1953. p. 14.
- ^ "What Trophy Will MMHL Play For?". Medicine Hat News. Medicine Hat, Alberta. October 22, 1953. p. 8.
- ^ "Says CAHA Trying to Scuttle MMHL". Medicine Hat News. Medicine Hat, Alberta. October 22, 1953. p. 9.
- ^ "Alexander Cup For Maritimes". Medicine Hat News. Medicine Hat, Alberta. October 30, 1953. p. 6.
- ^ "The Alexander Cup". Society for International Hockey Research. October 18, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
