1998–99 CHL season

The 1998–99 CHL season was the seventh season of the Central Hockey League (CHL), a mid‑level professional ice hockey league in the United States. The season ran from October 1998 through April 1999 and concluded with the league’s postseason playoffs.

League composition

• Six teams participated in the regular season:
  1. Amarillo Rattlers
  2. Birmingham Bulls
  3. Colorado Eagles
  4. Fort Worth Brahmas
  5. Memphis RiverKings
  6. Oklahoma City Blazers

Regular‑season format

• Each team played a 64‑game schedule.
• Points were awarded using the standard system (two points for a win, one point for an overtime loss, zero for a regulation loss).
• The team with the highest point total at the end of the regular season was awarded the regular‑season championship.

Standings (final regular‑season points)

1. Oklahoma City Blazers – 95 points
2. Colorado Eagles – 86 points
3. Fort Worth Brahmas – 78 points
4. Memphis RiverKings – 73 points
5. Amarillo Rattlers – 62 points
6. Birmingham Bulls – 44 points

Playoffs

• The top four teams qualified for the postseason.
• Quarterfinals were not required; the semifinals matched the 1st seed versus the 4th seed and the 2nd seed versus the 3rd seed in best‑of‑seven series.
• Semifinal results
  • Oklahoma City Blazers defeated Memphis RiverKings, 4–1.
  • Colorado Eagles defeated Fort Worth Brahmas, 4–2.
• Championship series
  • The Oklahoma City Blazers faced the Colorado Eagles in the CHL Finals.
  • The Blazers won the series 4–2, capturing the league’s postseason championship.

Individual awards

• Most Valuable Player (MVP): Bill McDougall (Oklahoma City Blazers)
• Rookie of the Year: Reed Hein (Fort Worth Brahmas)
• Coach of the Year: Mark French (Colorado Eagles)
• Top Scorer: Bill McDougall (Oklahoma City Blazers) – 112 points (48 goals, 64 assists)

Notable events

• The league continued its expansion efforts, with the Birmingham Bulls returning after a brief hiatus.
• Attendance across the league increased modestly, reflecting growing interest in mid‑level professional hockey markets.
• The Oklahoma City Blazers set a franchise record for most wins in a single season (48).

Legacy The 1998–99 season reinforced the CHL’s position as a stable professional hockey circuit in the central United States, providing a developmental platform for players and coaches aspiring to higher‑level leagues such as the American Hockey League (AHL) and the National Hockey League (NHL). The success of the Oklahoma City Blazers helped solidify the franchise’s fan base, leading to sustained competitive performance in subsequent seasons.