The Phoenix Polar Bears were formed as an expansion team by Harry Mahood for the Western States Hockey League in 1999.

Until 2009, Mahood operated as the owner, general manager, and head coach of the Polar Bears and became one of the most successful franchises in the WSHL under his tenure.

[1] In 2003, the team won the USA Hockey Tier III Junior B National Championship, beating the St. Louis Jr. Blues, 1–0, after a perfect regular season record of 47–0.

Under Mahood, the Phoenix Polar Bears recorded 575 wins, seven WSHL Thorne Cup Championships, nine consecutive National Tournament appearances, three undefeated seasons in WSHL play, one nationally undefeated season in 2003, the 2004 National Fair Play award and graduated over 170 players to all levels of NHL, NCAA, CIAU, minor professional, major junior, and ACHA hockey.

[2] Concurrently, the Phoenix Polar Bears raised several hundred thousands of dollars for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, American Heart Association, Phoenix Thunderbirds, Child Find, American Red Cross and various other community programs and charities.