James Dee and John "Doc" Gibson formed the International Hockey League which marked the beginning of professional hockey and the end of the Amphidrome, which was built and owned by the Houghton Warehouse Company.
The Amphidrome burned down on January 9, 1927. In 1907, an addition was constructed on the western end of the Amphidrome. Styled like a castle, it was used as a community ballroom and armory. For the 1903-04 season, the Portage Lakes became the first hockey team whose players were all paid. James Dee and John "Doc" Gibson formed the International Hockey League later that year, in which the Portage Lakes competed. These events marked the beginning of professional hockey. 
