to prevent stacked teams in the QSHL and other senior leagues, limited teams to signing a maximum of four former National Hockey League (NHL) players. 1944–45 season, the ODAHA denied permission for the Ottawa Commandos and the Hull Volants to play in the QSHL, and wanted the teams to play in the Ottawa City Hockey League where it was in the association's best financial interest. The QSHL subsequently voted to operate the 1944–45 season with four teams independent of the QAHA and CAHA. Dawe remained willing to co-operate with the QSHL as long as a settlement could be reached with the ODAHA that allowed the teams to play under the jurisdiction of the QAHA. He attempted to mediate the dispute by allowing the ODAHA to keep the five per cent share of gate receipts for the Ottawa and Hull teams, instead of the funds being paid to the QAHA. CAHA secretary George Dudley mediated the dispute and decided that no players would be suspended while talks were ongoing. After a week of discussions, the ODAHA accepted Dawe's recommendation. During the 1945–46 season, rumors persisted in The Gazette about the QSHL becoming a professional minor league, since teams were upset with the amount of travel expenses given by the CAHA in the Allan Cup playoffs. Dawe felt that senior teams had an obligation to support amateur hockey which was the source of senior players, and raised objections at the QSHL annual meeting. No decision was made on whether to become professional, and the league sought more information from the NHL on the benefits and finances of a professional minor league. The Winnipeg Free Press reported that the QSHL was the best senior hockey league in Canada, and that NHL executives resented that the Montreal Canadiens had the first pick of any player from the league. Dawe stated that Lester Patrick of the New York Rangers, and Art Ross of the Boston Bruins, wanted to see the QSHL and other CAHA senior leagues become professional for the best interests of the other NHL teams. The QSHL remained an amateur league for the 1945–46 season, which resulted in the QAHA being in its best financial position to date with the majority of income from QSHL gate receipts. 1950s The QSHL and other senior leagues requested a new deal with the CAHA and complained that their players were too costly to obtain and could