Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada to compete, with the provision that the Stanley Cup winners were to be recognized as "World's Champions". The phrase was repeatedly engraved on the Cup, and continued to be used, when the NHL began admitting American franchises. When the NHL assumed formal control of the Cup in 1947, the resulting agreement required "that the winners of this trophy shall be the acknowledged World's Professional Hockey Champions" (in contrast to the IIHF's Ice Hockey World Championships, at the time contested only by amateurs). When the World Hockey Association commenced play in the 1970s, they sought to challenge for the Stanley Cup,
William Hanley Trophy William Hanley Trophy The William Hanley Trophy is awarded annually by Ontario Hockey League to the most sportsmanlike player. It is named for Bill Hanley, a former secretary-manager of the Ontario Hockey Association who served in that capacity for twenty-five years. The William Hanley Trophy was first awarded in 1975. The winner of the William Hanley Trophy is nominated for the CHL Sportsman of the Year. From 1961 to 1969, the Max Kaminsky Trophy was awarded to the most gentlemanly player. List of William Hanley Trophy winners, as the most sportsmanlike player. List of Max Kaminsky Trophy winners from 1961–69,