The Western Professional Hockey League (abbreviated WPHL) is a defunct mid-level professional league. It operated in the United States from 1996 to 2001, with teams in the southern United States, mainly Texas. The league started with six teams in the 1996-1997 season and grew to 18 teams in 1999-2000. After the 2000-2001 season, the league bought the Central Hockey League and has operated under the CHL name.