The Eastern Hockey League began operation in 1978 as the Northeastern Hockey League, filling the void in the former territory of the

Eastern Hockey League The Eastern Hockey League was a minor professional United States ice hockey league. Eastern Amateur Hockey League (1933–1953) The league was founded in 1933 as the Eastern Amateur Hockey League (EAHL). The league was founded by Tommy Lockhart, ...

Bill Beagan William Thomas Beagan (born December 1, 1937) is a Canadian retired ice hockey administrator and ice hockey referee. He served in the Canadian Army for thirteen years, before refereeing in the National Hockey League (NHL) for two seasons. He ...

was named commissioner of the Northeastern Hockey League on June 14, 1979, to replace Jack Timmins who resigned. The league was rebranded as the Eastern Hockey League, which Beagan oversaw for two seasons until 1981. The league was not successful and after an owners' meeting on July 19, 1981, it was decided to fold the league.HockeyLeagueHistory.com: Eastern Hockey League (1979–81)
/ref> Two of the teams – Baltimore Clippers and the Salem Raiders – joined the

Atlantic Coast Hockey League The Atlantic Coast Hockey League (ACHL) was a minor league hockey organization that operated between 1981 and 1987. The league was founded by Bill Coffey. The Bob Payne Trophy was awarded to the team who won the league playoff championship. Acco ...

in 1981. One team – the Erie Blades – joined the American Hockey League that same season. The remaining teams folded with the league and ceased operations.

Teams

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Eastern Hockey League (1978-81) 1978 establishments in the United States 1981 disestablishments in the United States Sports leagues established in 1978