1976–77 IHL season

North American ice hockey season August 2023 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.IHL Head To Testify July 28, 1976 Benton Harbor Herald Palladium Benton Harbor, Michigan 40 https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-jul-28-1976-1604705/ 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).Inquiry Into Professional Sports (1976), p. 329 He testified that the IHL was the largest financial contributor to AHAUS at the time, and 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.Inquiry Into Professional Sports (1976), p. 356 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.Inquiry Into Professional Sports (1976), p. 330 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. Regular season Northern Division GP W L T GF GA Pts Saginaw Gears 78 40 27 11 338 29291 Kalamazoo Wings 78 38 27 13 325 290 89 Flint Generals 78 35 33 10 342 306 80 Muskegon Mohawks 78 31 36 11294 322 73 Port Huron Flags 78 27 43 8 268 32862 Southern Division GP W L T GF GA Pts Toledo Goaldiggers 78 40 31 7 321 317 87 Dayton Gems 78 35 38 5 304 312 75 Fort Wayne Komets 78 32 36 10 301 311 74 Columbus Owls 78 28 35 15 294 309 71 Turner Cup-Playoffs Turner Cup-Quarterfinals Turner Cup-Semifinals Turner Cup-Final N1 Saginaw Gears 4 N4 Muskegon Mohawks 3 N2 Kalamazoo Wings 4 N3 Flint Generals 1 S1 Toledo Goaldiggers 4 S4 Columbus Owls 3 S2 Dayton Gems 0 S3 Fort Wayne Komets 4 N1 Saginaw Gears 4 N2 Kalamazoo Wings 1 S1 Toledo Goaldiggers 4 S3 Fort Wayne Komets 1 N1 Saginaw Gears 4 S1 Toledo Goaldiggers 3 References General Inquiry Into Professional Sports: Hearings Before the House Select Committee on Professional Sports Washington, D.C. U.S. Government Printing Office 1976 https://books.google.com/books?id=-b_FV3vHXGkC Google Books Specific External links Season 1976/77 on hockeydb.com IHL Category:International Hockey League (1945–2001) seasons