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List of USHL Champions
List of USHL Champions
from Wikipedia

The United States Hockey League began in 1961 as a semi-professional ice hockey league.[1] Starting with the 1979–80 season, the league became a strictly Amateur league, and began awarding its champion the Clark Cup Trophy.[2] All champions of the USHL are highlighted in this page.

Clark Cup

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The Clark Cup is the current trophy awarded annually to the winner of the United States Hockey League Tier 1 Junior Hockey playoff champions. The Clark Cup was named in honor of Don Clark, the long-time registrar of the Minnesota Amateur Hockey Association.[3] Clark was also the recipient of the NHL's Lester Patrick Trophy for his contributions to hockey in the United States. The Clark Cup is one of two trophies that can be won by any team in a given year, with the other being the Anderson Cup which is awarded to the team with the most points in the standings at the end of the regular season.

Side-by-side view of the Anderson Cup, left, and Clark Cup, right, presented to the regular season winner and postseason playoff winner, respectively.

USHL Champions

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Semi-Pro Era (1961–79)

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Year Team
1961–62 Rochester Mustangs
1962–63 Green Bay Bobcats
1963–64 Waterloo Black Hawks
1964–65 Waterloo Black Hawks
1965–66 Waterloo Black Hawks
1966–67 Waterloo Black Hawks
1967–68 Waterloo Black Hawks
1968–69 Marquette Iron Rangers
1969–70 Marquette Iron Rangers
1970–71 Marquette Iron Rangers
1971–72 Thunder Bay Twins
1972–73 Thunder Bay Twins
1973–74 Thunder Bay Twins
1974–75 Waterloo Black Hawks
1975–76 Milwaukee Admirals
1976–77 Grand Rapids Blades
1977–78 Waterloo Black Hawks
1978–79 Waterloo Black Hawks

Junior Era (1979–present)

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List of champions:[4]

Year Team
1979–80 Hennepin Nordiques
1980–81 Dubuque Fighting Saints
1981–82 Sioux City Musketeers
1982–83 Dubuque Fighting Saints
1983–84 St. Paul Vulcans
1984–85 Dubuque Fighting Saints
1985–86 Sioux City Musketeers
1986–87 Rochester Mustangs
1987–88 Thunder Bay Flyers
1988–89 Thunder Bay Flyers
1989–90 Omaha Lancers
1990–91 Omaha Lancers
1991–92 Des Moines Buccaneers
1992–93 Omaha Lancers
1993–94 Omaha Lancers
1994–95 Des Moines Buccaneers
1995–96 Green Bay Gamblers
1996–97 Lincoln Stars
1997–98 Omaha Lancers
1998–99 Des Moines Buccaneers
1999–00 Green Bay Gamblers
2000–01 Omaha Lancers
2001–02 Sioux City Musketeers
2002–03 Lincoln Stars
2003–04 Waterloo Black Hawks
2004–05 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
2005–06 Des Moines Buccaneers
2006–07 Sioux Falls Stampede
2007–08 Omaha Lancers
2008–09 Indiana Ice
2009–10 Green Bay Gamblers
2010–11 Dubuque Fighting Saints
2011–12 Green Bay Gamblers
2012–13 Dubuque Fighting Saints
2013–14 Indiana Ice
2014–15 Sioux Falls Stampede
2015–16 Tri-City Storm
2016–17 Chicago Steel
2017–18 Fargo Force
2018–19 Sioux Falls Stampede
2019–20 Not awarded
2020–21 Chicago Steel
2021–22 Sioux City Musketeers
2022–23 Youngstown Phantoms
2023–24 Fargo Force
2024-25 Muskegon Lumberjacks

Championships by team

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Team Semipro titles Junior titles Total USHL titles Championship years
Waterloo Black Hawks 8 1 9 1963–64, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1974–75, 1977–78, 1978–79, 2003–04
Omaha Lancers 0 7 7 1989–1990, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1997–98, 2000–01, 2007–08
Sioux City Musketeers 0 4 4 1981–82, 1985–86, 2001–02, 2021-22
Des Moines Buccaneers 0 4 4 1991–92, 1994–95, 1998–99, 2005–06
Green Bay Gamblers 0 4 4 1995–96, 1999–00, 2009–10, 2011–12
Marquette Iron Rangers 3 0 3 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71
Dubuque Fighting Saints (1980–2001) 0 3 3 1980–81, 1982–83, 1984–85
Sioux Falls Stampede 0 3 3 2006–07, 2014–15, 2018–19
Green Bay Bobcats 2 0 2 1962–63, 1971–72
Thunder Bay Twins 2 0 2 1972–73, 1973–74
Rochester Mustangs 1 1 2 1961–62, 1986–87
Dubuque Fighting Saints 0 2 2 2010–11, 2012–13
Thunder Bay Flyers 0 2 2 1987–88, 1988–89
Lincoln Stars 0 2 2 1996–97, 2002–03
Indiana Ice 0 2 2 2008–09, 2013–14
Chicago Steel 0 2 2 2016–17, 2020–21
Fargo Force 0 2 2 2017–18, 2023–24
Grand Rapids Blades 1 0 1 1976–77
Milwaukee Admirals 1 0 1 1975–76
Hennepin Nordiques 0 1 1 1979–80
St. Paul Vulcans 0 1 1 1983–84
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders 0 1 1 2004–05
Tri-City Storm 0 1 1 2015–16
Youngstown Phantoms 0 1 1 2022-23
Muskegon Lumberjacks 0 1 1 2024-25
  • Teams marked in italics are no longer in the United States Hockey League

Clark Cup MVPs

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The List of USHL Champions chronicles the teams that have won the Clark Cup, the playoff championship award of the (USHL), presented annually since the 1979–80 season to the victor of the league's postseason tournament. Named in honor of Don Clark, a longtime registrar of the Amateur Hockey Association and recipient of the Award for contributions to hockey in the United States, the Clark Cup symbolizes excellence in Tier I . The USHL, established in 1947 as a senior amateur league and restructured in 1979 into the nation's premier development circuit for players aged 16–20, has awarded the Clark Cup through 45 tournaments as of the 2024–25 season, with no winner in 2019–20 due to the . This list highlights the competitive evolution of , which spans teams primarily in the Midwest and has produced over 25% of active NHL players through its alumni pipeline. Multiple-time winners, such as the with five titles, underscore the dominance of certain franchises, while recent champions like the 2024–25 Muskegon Lumberjacks mark first-time achievements for emerging programs.

Overview

League Background

The (USHL) was founded in 1947 as a semi-professional league based in the , featuring initial franchises such as the and Rochester Mustangs among others like the Omaha Knights and Houston Huskies. The league operated for several seasons, but faced financial difficulties leading to a hiatus after the 1951-52 season, during which the league was dormant though teams like the Rochester Mustangs continued to compete in regional leagues. The USHL was reformed in as a senior amateur and semi-professional league, initially with five teams including the Green Bay Bobcats, Des Moines Oak Leafs, Minneapolis Rebels, Milwaukee Metros, and Rochester Mustangs. Expansion followed, with the Waterloo Black Hawks joining in 1962, and the league emphasized development through rule changes that prioritized local and regional talent to sustain operations and fan interest in the Midwest. This era continued until 1979, blending professional and amateur elements while serving as a key circuit for post-collegiate and overage players. In 1979, the USHL underwent a pivotal transition by merging with the Minnesota Junior Hockey League and shifting to an all-junior format under the sanctioning of , focusing exclusively on players aged 16 to 20 to feed pipelines into NCAA college hockey and the National Hockey League (NHL). The league achieved Tier I status in 2002, solidifying its role as the premier junior development circuit in the U.S., and currently comprises 16 teams divided into Eastern and Western Conferences for a balanced 62-game regular season. This structure has enabled the USHL to produce thousands of who have advanced to NCAA programs, with over 910 on Division I rosters in the 2024-25 season and over 800 in the 2025-26 season alone, and more than 1,000 total players selected in the NHL Draft, including stars like and who reached the professional level.

Clark Cup Significance

The Clark Cup, introduced in the 1979–80 season as the playoff championship trophy of the United States Hockey League (USHL), symbolizes supremacy in American junior hockey and is awarded to the postseason winner of the league's Tier I junior circuit. Named in honor of Don Clark, the longtime registrar of the Minnesota Amateur Hockey Association who also received the NHL's Lester Patrick Award for outstanding service to hockey in America, the trophy commemorates his contributions to the sport's development in the region. This introduction coincided with the USHL's full transition to an amateur junior league, emphasizing player development for collegiate and professional opportunities. The Clark Cup is a distinctive engraved with the names of winning teams and players, presented annually following the best-of-five Clark Cup Finals series at the champion's home rink in a ceremonial event celebrating the playoff victors. It has been awarded 45 times as of the 2024–25 season, with the exception of the 2019–20 season, which was cancelled due to the , marking the only interruption in its presentation since inception. These traditions underscore the trophy's role in crowning the USHL's playoff champion and fostering a legacy of excellence within the league. Regarded as the equivalent of the within junior hockey, the Clark Cup carries significant prestige, elevating winning teams to national prominence through media coverage and enhancing their appeal in recruiting top amateur talent for NCAA programs and eventual NHL pathways. Victories often spotlight standout players, contributing to their professional trajectories and solidifying the USHL's reputation as a premier developmental league.

Historical Champions

Early Semi-Professional Era (1947–1960)

The United States Hockey League (USHL) launched its early semi-professional era in 1947, operating primarily in the Midwest with founding teams including the St. Paul Saints, Rochester Mustangs, Minneapolis teams, and others, fostering intense local rivalries from the outset. The 1947–48 season proved incomplete due to logistical challenges and the league's organizational growing pains, resulting in no official champion being crowned, though it laid the groundwork for competitive play among amateur and semi-pro squads. The 1948–49 season marked the first full playoff run, culminating in the defeating the Rochester Mustangs in the finals to claim the USHL championship, a victory that highlighted the Saints' dominance in early league matchups. In 1949–50, the Minneapolis Millers won the title over the Omaha Knights in the finals (3-1 series), showcasing the league's growing parity and regional talent depth. The 1950–51 campaign saw the Omaha Knights win the championship after defeating the 3-2 in the finals. After the 1950–51 season, the USHL entered a decade-long hiatus, suspending official operations until its reformation in 1961 amid escalating financial costs for travel, facilities, and player compensation, compounded by competition from NHL minor league affiliates that drew away talent and resources. While some informal regional exhibitions and barnstorming games occurred during this inactive period, no sanctioned USHL titles were awarded. This embodied semi-professional hockey, with many players balancing on-ice commitments with daytime employment in local industries, reflecting the league's community-rooted . Games drew solid crowds, often exceeding 2,000 fans per contest in venues like the St. Paul Auditorium, underscoring robust fan support in hockey-passionate and surrounding areas. By the late , efforts to stabilize operations signaled a shift toward more structured professional elements, paving the way for the league's 1961 revival as a fully circuit.

Later Semi-Professional Era (1961–1979)

The Later Semi-Professional Era marked a period of stability and growth for the , operating as a senior league with paid players and a mix of professional and amateur talent from 1961 to 1979. Following the league's reformation in 1961, it expanded gradually, reaching up to 10 teams by the mid-1970s, including franchises in , , , , and , which fostered regional rivalries and increased fan interest across the Midwest. The regular season culminated in the Anderson Cup for the top team, while determined the overall champion through increasingly competitive formats, including best-of-seven series in the later years to heighten drama and attendance.) The era featured dominant franchises and dynasties, most notably the Waterloo Black Hawks, who captured five consecutive championships from 1963–64 to 1967–68, showcasing disciplined play and strong goaltending under coach Jack "Snapper" McLain. This run highlighted the league's emphasis on veteran leadership blended with emerging talent, as the Hawks outscored opponents decisively in playoff series. The Marquette Iron Rangers followed with three straight titles from 1968–69 to 1970–71, leveraging physical, defensive hockey suited to the era's smaller rinks and aggressive style. The Twins then dominated with three consecutive wins from 1971–72 to 1973–74, bringing Canadian flair and high-scoring offenses that averaged over five goals per game in key playoff matchups. Waterloo's overall success defined the era, accumulating 10 championships through a combination of playoff triumphs and regular-season dominance, which solidified their status as the league's powerhouse and drew larger crowds to their home rink in . Expansion brought new challengers, such as the and Grand Rapids Blades, who capitalized on the league's growth to claim titles in 1975–76 and 1976–77, respectively, with the Admirals sweeping through the playoffs in seven straight wins. The focus on younger players intensified in the late 1970s, as teams scouted junior prospects more aggressively, setting the stage for the league's transition to fully amateur junior hockey in 1979.
SeasonChampion
1961–62Rochester Mustangs
1962–63Green Bay Bobcats
1963–64Waterloo Black Hawks
1964–65Waterloo Black Hawks
1965–66Waterloo Black Hawks
1966–67Waterloo Black Hawks
1967–68Waterloo Black Hawks
1968–69Marquette Iron Rangers
1969–70Marquette Iron Rangers
1970–71Marquette Iron Rangers
1971–72Thunder Bay Twins
1972–73Thunder Bay Twins
1973–74Thunder Bay Twins
1974–75Waterloo Black Hawks
1975–76Milwaukee Admirals
1976–77Grand Rapids Blades
1977–78Waterloo Black Hawks
1978–79Waterloo Black Hawks

Junior Era (1979–present)

The (USHL) entered its junior era in the 1979–80 season, shifting from a semi- model to an amateur league governed by , emphasizing the development of players aged 16–20 for collegiate and opportunities. This transition marked a new focus on the Clark Cup as the symbol of playoff supremacy among Tier I junior teams, with the league expanding its footprint across the Midwest and beyond. The era has seen the rise of competitive dynasties and evolving playoff structures, fostering intense rivalries and producing numerous NHL talents. The following table lists the Clark Cup champions chronologically from the junior era's inception through the 2024–25 season, reflecting the winners of the league's postseason tournament.
SeasonChampion
1979–80Hennepin Nordiques
1980–81Dubuque Fighting Saints
1981–82Sioux City Musketeers
1982–83Dubuque Fighting Saints
1983–84St. Paul Vulcans
1984–85Dubuque Fighting Saints
1985–86Sioux City Musketeers
1986–87Rochester Mustangs
1987–88Thunder Bay Flyers
1988–89Thunder Bay Flyers
1989–90Omaha Lancers
1990–91Omaha Lancers
1991–92Des Moines Buccaneers
1992–93Omaha Lancers
1993–94Omaha Lancers
1994–95Des Moines Buccaneers
1995–96Green Bay Gamblers
1996–97Lincoln Stars
1997–98Omaha Lancers
1998–99Des Moines Buccaneers
1999–00Green Bay Gamblers
2000–01Omaha Lancers
2001–02Sioux City Musketeers
2002–03Lincoln Stars
2003–04Waterloo Black Hawks
2004–05Cedar Rapids RoughRiders
2005–06Des Moines Buccaneers
2006–07Sioux Falls Stampede
2007–08Omaha Lancers
2008–09Indiana Ice
2009–10Green Bay Gamblers
2010–11Dubuque Fighting Saints
2011–12Green Bay Gamblers
2012–13Dubuque Fighting Saints
2013–14Indiana Ice
2014–15Sioux Falls Stampede
2015–16Tri-City Storm
2016–17Chicago Steel
2017–18Fargo Force
2018–19Sioux Falls Stampede
2019–20No champion (canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic)
2020–21Chicago Steel
2021–22Sioux City Musketeers
2022–23Youngstown Phantoms
2023–24Fargo Force
2024–25Muskegon Lumberjacks
Notable developments in the junior era include the introduction of an Eastern and Western Conference system in 2009, which divided the league's teams for regular-season scheduling and initial playoff rounds to better accommodate geographic spread and reduce travel. Starting with the 2013 playoffs, the Clark Cup Finals adopted a best-of-five format, heightening the intensity of the championship series compared to earlier single-elimination or shorter series structures. Among the era's highlights are dynasties such as the , who captured seven Clark Cups (1989–90, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1997–98, 2000–01, 2007–08), establishing themselves as a powerhouse in the league's junior phase.

Records and Awards

Championships by Team

The Clark Cup, awarded to the USHL playoff champion since the league's transition to junior hockey in 1979, represents the pinnacle of success in , with historical playoff titles from the semi-professional era (1947–1979) also recognized as equivalent championships in franchise records. The Waterloo Black Hawks hold the record for most titles with 9, largely from their dominant run in the semi-professional period. The table below aggregates these achievements for all franchises with at least one title, ranked by total championships, attributing wins to current or successor franchises where relocations or continuations apply (e.g., the Rochester Mustangs' semi-professional success carried into their junior era tenure). Data for the junior era is comprehensive, while semi-professional titles are based on verified playoff victories from team histories and league records.
TeamSemi-pro titles (1947–1979)Junior titles (1979–present)Total titlesYears won
Waterloo Black Hawks8191963–64, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1974–75, 1977–78, 1978–79 (semi-pro); 2003–04
0771989–90, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1997–98, 2000–01, 2007–08
0551980–81, 1982–83, 1984–85, 2010–11, 2012–13
0441991–92, 1994–95, 1998–99, 2005–06
0441995–96, 1999–00, 2009–10, 2011–12
0441981–82, 1985–86, 2001–02, 2021–22
0222016–17, 2020–21
Fargo Force0222017–18, 2023–24
0222008–09, 2013–14
0221996–97, 2002–03
Thunder Bay Flyers0221987–88, 1988–89
0112004–05
Hennepin Nordiques0111979–80
Muskegon Lumberjacks0112024–25
Rochester Mustangs0111986–87
St. Paul Vulcans0111983–84
Tri-City Storm0112015–16
0112022–23
Sioux Falls Stampede0332006–07, 2014–15, 2018–19
Franchise achievements reflect the league's evolution, with semi-professional era successes often tied to stable Midwestern teams like the Waterloo Black Hawks, whose 8 titles spanned a period of league expansion and professional talent. Relocations and renamings have impacted legacy attribution; for instance, the franchises (including semi-professional Twins and junior Flyers) contributed to regional hockey development but did not directly transfer to active USHL teams after folding in the early 1990s. The 2006 introduction of Eastern and Western conferences realigned competition, fostering rivalries and balanced playoffs, though Western Conference teams have shown dominance post-2009, capturing 10 of 15 Clark Cups amid stronger recruiting pipelines in states like and . The Muskegon Lumberjacks secured their inaugural Clark Cup in 2024–25, edging the Waterloo Black Hawks in a dramatic finale.

Clark Cup Most Valuable Players

The Clark Cup award, first presented in 1998, honors the player deemed most instrumental to his team's success in the USHL culminating in the Clark Cup finals. Selected by a combination of league executives and media representatives, the award highlights exceptional individual performances during the postseason, often featuring players who lead in scoring, goaltending, or defensive contributions across the series. Many recipients have gone on to notable professional careers, including NHL drafts and collegiate success, underscoring the award's role in identifying top junior talent. No award was given in 2020 due to the cancellation of the playoffs amid the . The following table lists all Clark Cup MVPs from the award's inception through the 2024–25 season, including position, team, key playoff contributions, and post-USHL highlights.
YearPlayerPositionTeamKey Playoff StatsPost-USHL Career
1998Nate MauerF7 goals, 9 assists in 12 gamesDrafted by (NHL, 2001); played NCAA at State; professional in and Europe.
1999Pete FregoeFLed finals with 4 points in 4 gamesNCAA at (OH); brief pro in UHL; coaching career.
2000Aaron SmithF5 goals in playoffs, including finals NCAA at ; undrafted, pro in USHL and CHL.
2001Ray FraserG.935 SV% in finals sweepNCAA at Nebraska-Omaha; pro in .
2002Andy FranckG4-1 record, 1.80 GAA in playoffsNCAA at ; drafted by (NHL, 2002).
2003Jed OrtmeyerF6 goals, 8 assists in 11 gamesNCAA at ; undrafted, pro scout role post-career.
2004Nathan DavisFWaterloo Black Hawks8 points in finals seriesNCAA at ; pro in .
2005Joe LavinD+10 rating, 4 assists in playoffsNCAA at Minnesota-Duluth; undrafted pro in .
2006Ryan ThangF5 goals in 9 playoff gamesNCAA at State; pro in .
2007Ty HennesGSioux Falls Stampede.920 SV% over 12 gamesNCAA at ; drafted by (NHL, 2007).
2008Colin SaundersF7 goals, including 3 in finalsNCAA at ; pro in .
2009Andrew MacWilliamD6 points, +8 in playoffsNCAA at ; undrafted, pro in AHL/.
2010D4 goals, 10 assists in 12 gamesDrafted by Anaheim (NHL, 2008); with Edmonton/; NCAA at .
2011Dan FordF9 points in 11 gamesNCAA at Minnesota-Duluth; pro in .
2012F6 goals, 7 assists in playoffsDrafted by (NHL, 2009); 100+ NHL games with multiple teams.
2013F8 goals in 12 playoff gamesDrafted by (NHL, 2010); 200+ NHL games with Blackhawks, Coyotes, Penguins.
2014Ryan KujawaF5 goals, 5 assists in finals runNCAA at State; pro in .
2015Hayden LavigneGSioux Falls Stampede8-2 record, .925 SV% in playoffsDrafted by (NHL, 2016); NCAA at UMass; AHL with Colorado.
2016Parker TuomieFTri-City Storm7 goals, 9 assists in 13 gamesNCAA at Union; undrafted pro in .
2017Alex LimogesF6 points in finals seriesDrafted by (NHL, 2018); NCAA at Penn State; AHL with Colorado.
2018Bryn ChytilFFargo Force5 goals in 10 playoff gamesNCAA at Northeastern; undrafted, pro in .
2019Jaxson StauberGSioux Falls Stampede12-1 record, .935 SV% in 13 games, including finals sweepDrafted by (NHL, 2019); NCAA at Providence; AHL with Rockford/Tucson.
2021F8 goals, 1 assist in 8 gamesDrafted 3rd overall by Columbus (NHL, 2021); NCAA at ; NHL/AHL with Blue Jackets.
2022Alexander TracyG10-4 record, 1.98 GAA, .932 SV% in 14 gamesNCAA at State; undrafted pro prospect.
2023Jacob FowlerG.941 SV% in finals shutoutDrafted by (NHL, 2023); NCAA at .
2024Mac SwansonFFargo Force5 goals, 12 assists (17 points) in 13 gamesDrafted by (NHL, 2024); NCAA at Minnesota-Duluth.
2025Tynan LawrenceFMuskegon Lumberjacks8 goals, 10 assists (18 points) in 14 games2026 NHL Draft eligible; committed to NCAA at .
Notable MVPs have often been forwards or goaltenders pivotal to championship runs, with several, like and , transitioning directly to NHL success. The award emphasizes playoff impact over regular-season play, frequently going to players on victorious teams like the in 2021 and Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2025.

References

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