Washington Lions (EHL)

The Washington Lions were a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C., that played in the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) during various periods of the league's existence. The Lions operated intermittently, and there were multiple distinct franchises using the same name in the same city.

The most notable iteration of the Washington Lions played in the EHL from 1957 to 1968. During this era, they were a consistent contender in the league, drawing moderate crowds in the D.C. area. The team played its home games at the Uline Arena, later known as the Washington Coliseum. The EHL was a high-level minor professional league, featuring many talented players who aspired to, or had previously played in, the National Hockey League (NHL). The Lions, like other EHL teams, were known for their hard-hitting, often physical style of play, which was characteristic of hockey during that era.

The franchise was eventually discontinued, as the EHL itself began to decline in the late 1960s and early 1970s due to increased competition from other leagues and changing economic conditions. While the Washington Lions were not an NHL team, they played a significant role in the development of hockey in the Washington, D.C. area and helped cultivate a local fan base for the sport, which would later support the Washington Capitals upon their NHL arrival in 1974.

Several players who played for the Washington Lions went on to have careers in other professional leagues. Information regarding specific player statistics, coaches, and notable events in the team's history is available through historical hockey databases and archives.