By Joshua Boyd

When Americans think "west," they think of a landscape that was once tough and unforgiving, yet inviting because of millions of square miles of open space upon which to start anew.

The word "west" still carries a romantic tone to it, despite the sprawling metropolises of Phoenix, Los Angeles, Dallas and other still growing cities. Mountains, deserts, rugged coastline and lots of sunshine define this area of our country, and the Western States Hockey League is proud to put its icy stamp on an area stretching from the beaches of California to the swamplands of Louisiana.

After Don Thorne founded the league in 1994 and bankrolled it single-handedly for several seasons, the WSHL now has a healthy group of owners sustaining 13 teams. Two of these teams opted out of the 2007-08 season, the league’s first as a Tier-3 Jr. A circuit, in order to reorganize for the jump to Jr. A.

"We’re certainly in a period of elevating our programs based on our Jr. A status," said league commissioner and president Ron White. "With the season having just ended, everyone is already in high gear from a recruiting standpoint in an effort to elevate the level of play again in the 2008-09 season."

"The league continues to get stronger," added Bob Armando, the general manager and co-owner of the Capital Thunder, located in Sacramento, Calif. "[Our team realizes] that we must work harder than ever to stay competitive."

Three different champions over the last three years is a sign of increased competition.

In 2005-06, the defunct Fort Worth Texans won the league title. Last year, it was the Phoenix Polar Bears (who also won four straight from 2002-2005), and this year, the El Paso Rhinos brought the crown back to the Lone Star State. The Rhinos and the runner-up Polar Bears also took part in the USA Hockey Tier-3 Jr. A Nationals in late March in Marlborough, Mass.

"This team has come a long way in two years and I never dreamed we would have this much success so quickly. It’s a tribute to everyone in the organization," said Cory Herman, coach and GM of the Rhinos.

"The games were decided inside the 10-minute mark of the third period," added White, of the league playoffs. "Though the Polar Bears had the home ice advantage, El Paso has a terrific following. They had about 75 carloads of people who came down for the game, taking a six-or seven-hour car ride."

While the Peoria Coyotes and the Las Vegas Stars took this extra year before debuting as a Jr. A team, the league welcomed its newest member, the Colorado Outlaws, into the fold for 2007- 08.

"It has been a great pleasure becoming part of the WSHL and to provide players a chance to prove that they have what it takes," said Jeremy Chatman, general manager and head coach of the Outlaws. "We were able to move our first two players into their collegiate careers, one of them going to a Division 2 club team at Denver University, and the other going to a NCAA Division 3 school in Minnesota. We’re looking to grow something here in Colorado."