The Canadian-American Hockey League existed from 1926 until the 1936. Following the 1935-36 season the CAHL merged with the original International Hockey League to form the International American Hockey League for the 1936 season. The International-American Hockey League became the American Hockey League in 1941. The International Hockey League (IHL) was a minor league professional ice hockey league of the triple-A level in the United States and Canada from 1945 to 2001. ... The American Hockey League (AHL) became the major affiliation league for the National Hockey League upon its amalgamation with the International Hockey League in 2001. ... The American Hockey League (AHL) became the major affiliation league for the National Hockey League upon its amalgamation with the International Hockey League in 2001. ...