1943 AHL Hockey Signed Letter Maurice Podoloff Autographed NBA HOFer JSA LOAJanuary 25, 1943 letter by Maurice Podoloff, American Hockey League president, on AHL letterhead, acknowledging the assignment of a contract by Providence to Toronto Podoloff made significant contributions to the sport of hockey, but is best known for being the first president of the NBA, as well as making a number of improvements to professional basketball, including the introduction of the shot clock Podoloff was inducted into the Naismith Memorial