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Pittsburgh Hornets (AHL)
Encyclopedia
The Pittsburgh Hornets were a minor-league professional men's ice hockey
team based in Pittsburgh
, Pennsylvania
.
Contrary to popular belief, the Pittsburgh Hornets did not evolve from the International Hockey League's
Pittsburgh Shamrocks
. The franchise started play in 1927, playing their first nine seasons as the Detroit Olympics
. Then on October 4, 1936, after winning the IHL championship, the Olympics moved to Pittsburgh to become the Hornets. Bill Anderson and Bill Hudson
were the only two players from the Shamrocks to be on the Hornets roster at the start of the 1936–37 season.
The Hornets wore wool jerseys that were likely recycled from the Olympics. The Hornets, which were still a minor-league team for the NHL's Detroit Red Wings
, made their debut in the International-American Hockey League in 1936–37. The league transformed into the American Hockey League
in 1940.
The Hornets disbanded after the 1955–56 season
. The franchise was suspended because the archaic Duquesne Gardens
was torn down. The Hornets reappeared in the new Civic Arena in 1961 and, after a poor start, they became AHL contenders again, this time as a farm club for the Detroit Red Wings. They won a division title in 1964, won the Calder Cup
in 1967, then vanished for good. The second Hornets ceased operations when the expansion Pittsburgh Penguins
played their first season in the National Hockey League
. The Hornets were three-time winners of the American Hockey League
's Calder Cup.
. The Olympics played nine seasons in the Canadian Professional Hockey League
which later became the International-American Hockey League.
In 1936 John Harris
, a Pittsburgh theatre chain owner, purchased the Olympics in October 1936 and renamed the team the Pittsburgh Hornets. The Hornets were in originally in the Canadian Professional Hockey League
, which was renamed the International American Hockey League in 1929.
The Hornets were led by former Olympics coach Don Hughes. the Hornets won their first two franchise games against the Cleveland Falcons
on November 7, 1936, at the Duquesne Gardens
. During the 1938–39 season
, Larry Aurie
replaced Don Hughes as the second coach in team history. That year Don Deacon
led the IAHL with 41 assists and 65 points. In 1940, the Hornets won 25 and made the playoffs and advance to the Calder Cup
finals. The Hornets were originally the minor-league affiliate of the Red Wings who won the Stanley Cup
in 1936. Larry Aurie
, a member of that team, was a player-coach
and led them to their first appearance in the Calder Cup Finals in 1940 where they were swept in three games by the Providence Reds
.
At the start of the 1940–41 season
, the International-American Hockey League (IAHL) became the American Hockey League
(AHL). During the early 1940s the Hornets has mediocre finishes. However during this time frame, the team still continued to set league records. In 1942, Red Heron
set an AHL record by scoring six goals in one game, which is a double hat trick
. Also in 1944, Bob Gracie
and Bob Walton
were the AHL's top scorers with each recording 95 points in the season. Two AHL records were set on March 17, 1945: Pittsburgh the Cleveland Barons set the mark for most goals scored in one period by netting a combined 12 goals in the third period (Pittsburgh 7, Cleveland 5). The total goals scored in the game - 22 - is also a one-game record. However not all records set by the Hornets were positive. During the 1943–44 season
the Hornets did not win one game away from the Duqesne Gardens. The winless record on the road was the first occurrence of such a feat in the history of the AHL. Following the season Larry Aurie ended his stint as coach to finish with a record of 129-162-39 in 330 games, a .450 winning percentage.
Following Aurie's departure, Max Kaminsky
became the third coach of the Hornets in 1944. A year later, the Hornets became a minor-league club for the Toronto Maple Leafs
ending their affiliation with the Red Wings. For the 1946–47 season
the Hornets returned to the AHL Finals for the second time in team history, losing Game 7 to the mid-state Hershey Bears
. The Maple Leafs success with four Stanley Cup championships between 1947 and 1951 helped solidified the minor league Hornets. The Hornets played the Maple Leafs' style of hockey that involved hard, close checking that produced low scoring games. In 1948, the Hornets lost only 18 games, for their best record since 1938. Max Kaminsky would end his coaching career in 1947 with the Hornets. He had a .562 winning percentage. Kaminsky won 91 games, lost 68 and tied 27 in his 186 games behind the bench.
In 1948 the Hornets set the team all-time best record for goals scored in one season with 301 goals. Sid Smith became the firstand only Hornets' player to score 50 goals in one season, finishing with 55 goals and 57 assists, the highest in the AHL, to earn the John B. Sollenberger Trophy
for leading scorer. His 112-point total was also the highest in the league and the highest in Hornets' history.
However in 1949 tragedy struck the team when Hornets star goaltender Baz Bastien
lost his right eye after being hit by a puck in preseason. He would later become the coach and general manager. The next year Bastien's replacement, Gil Mayer went on to win the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award. The Hornets made it again to the Calder Cup Finals in 1951 but lost in Game 7 to the Cleveland Barons. Despite the loss, forward Bob Solinger
was named MVP of playoffs with ten goals and six assists.
, Pittsburgh finished first overall in the AHL, finishing with 46 wins and 95 points. The Hornets then finally won their first Calder Cup on April 20, 1952, by beating the Providence Reds
in six games on a goal by Ray Hannigan
during the game's second overtime at the Rhode Island Auditorium
. The AHL president, Maurice Podoloff
, nor the Calder Cup Trophy, were not present when the Hornets earned the championship. They were later presented with the Cup while traveling en route to Pittsburgh. It was also during the 1951–52 season that the Hornets wore black and gold jerseys for the first time.
The Hornets would return to the Calder Cup finals the next year only to lose again in Game 7 to the Cleveland Barons. However during the 1954–55 season Pittsburgh defeated the Buffalo Bisons
in six games to capture the club's second Calder Cup Championship. The Hornets finish first overall in the regular season, the second time in team history, with 70 points. Willie Marshall
won the MVP in the playoffs with an AHL-best 16 points (9 goals, 7 assists).
The Gardens would be replaced as the home rink of the city's pro hockey team as construction of the Pittsburgh Civic Arena began in 1958, three miles to the west of the Gardens. At that time due to the disrepair of the arena and the franchise being suspended, the city of Rochester
, New York
was awarded a franchise, becoming the Rochester Americans
.
the franchise returned as a minor league team for the Red Wings, the Hornets emerged from five years of inactivity and played their first game at the Civic Arena, on October 14, 1961, in front of 9,317 fans. The Hornets were back but the records during the next two years gave little to cheer for.
The Hornets set many AHL records during the 1961–62 season: Most times shut out in a season (9); most games lost in a season (58) and most games lost at home (27). The team also finished in last place in AHL, finishing with the fewest number of wins in team history (10) and their lowest point total in team history (22). The next season the Hornets doubled their total of wins in their second season back from returning to the AHL. However, the team established the AHL's record for the longest winless streak. The team went 0-22-1 before beating the Hershey Bears on March 26.
Things began to turn around during the 1963–64 seaon
when goaltender Roger Crozier
won the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award for being the AHL's Rookie of the Year. Crozier also won the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award for being the best goalkeeper in the AHL. It was the eighth time in the 23-year history of the team that a Hornets' goalie won the award.
franchise, which would become the Pittsburgh Penguins
. To make room for the NHL, Pittsburgh's AHL franchise had to be closed. However the Hornets would go out with a bang. On April 30, 1967, they finished the sweep of Rochester Americans
in the Calder Cup Finals after Billy Harris scored :26 seconds into overtime in what would be the last goal in Pittsburgh Hornets’ history. Thirty-one years after the Hornets first game, Coach Baz Bastien was presented with the Calder Cup. The Hornets were Calder Cup Champions one last time.
, played a tribute game at the Mellon Arena
against the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks
(affiliated with the Red Wings, as well as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
at the time). The WBS Pens wore Hornets jerseys and a banner was raised inside the arena that celebrated the three Hornets’ Calder Cup Championships. The banner has since been removed from inside the Mellon Arena and arena officials aren't sure of its location.
During their first season
, the Hornets wore wool jerseys that were likely recycled from the Detroit Olympics. The home jerseys worn by the Hornets during their first season in Pittsburgh were white with red trim. The front of the jersey featured a large circular crest with the Hornets' logo and team name. Their road jerseys were red with white trim around the shoulders and sleeves with the circular crest. From 1939 until 1943, the Hornets home jerseys were red wool with a white script "P" and the word "Hornets" sewn onto them. The Hornets were a minor league team of the NHL Detroit Red Wings and likely wore hand-me-downs jerseys from the parent club. This trend held into the 1946–47 AHL season
, when the team wore red wool jerseys for home games with a simple, block number on front and back. Simple crew neck collar. The sleeves featured a Hornet wearing a steel worker's hard hat. The road versions of these sweaters were reversed; white body with red trim. The 1948 jersey took this style one step further by including seven stars on each sleeve, including a star below the hornet near the cuffs. The road versions of these sweaters were reversed; white body with red trim.
and football team
. The color wasn't new for hockey in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Pirates
wore those colors from 1925–29, before switching to black and orange in 1929–30.
The home jerseys were wool. The colors scheme was black with gold trim. The jerseys featured tie-down collars and the familiar hornet in a hard hat on the sleeves. The road jerseys consisted of a gold body and black trim.
Franchise leaders=
Goals: 130 (John "Peanuts" O'Flaherty, 1940–50 and Bob Solinger
, 1949–56)
Assists: 253 (Frank Mathers
, 1948–56)
Points: 319 (John "Peanuts" O'Flaherty, 1940–50)
PIM: 442 (Pete Backor
, 1945–54)
Hall of Famers=
Player
Builder
Other
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team based in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
Contrary to popular belief, the Pittsburgh Hornets did not evolve from the International Hockey League's
International Hockey League (1929-36)
The International Hockey League was a professional ice hockey league operating in Canada and the United States from 1929 to 1936. It was a direct ancestor of the American Hockey League....
Pittsburgh Shamrocks
Pittsburgh Shamrocks
The Pittsburgh Shamrocks played in the International Hockey League in 1935–36. The Shamrocks played all of their home games at the Duquesne Gardens. During that lone season, the team finished in fourth place in the West Division behind the Detroit Olympics, Cleveland Falcons and Windsor Bulldogs....
. The franchise started play in 1927, playing their first nine seasons as the Detroit Olympics
Detroit Olympics
The Detroit Olympics were a minor league hockey team located in Detroit, Michigan that was a member of the Canadian Professional Hockey League 1927-29 and the International-American Hockey League 1929-36. The team played all of their home games at the Detroit Olympia...
. Then on October 4, 1936, after winning the IHL championship, the Olympics moved to Pittsburgh to become the Hornets. Bill Anderson and Bill Hudson
Bill Hudson (ice hockey)
Bill Hudson was a professional ice hockey player from 1930 until 1945. During that time, he played for St. Louis Flyers, Kansas City Americans, Omaha Knights, Philadelphia Arrows, Pittsburgh Shamrocks, Pittsburgh Hornets, Hershey Bears, Indianapolis Capitals and the Providence Reds. During the...
were the only two players from the Shamrocks to be on the Hornets roster at the start of the 1936–37 season.
The Hornets wore wool jerseys that were likely recycled from the Olympics. The Hornets, which were still a minor-league team for the NHL's Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
, made their debut in the International-American Hockey League in 1936–37. The league transformed into the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
in 1940.
The Hornets disbanded after the 1955–56 season
1955–56 AHL season
The 1955–56 AHL season was the 20th season of the American Hockey League. Six teams played 64 games each in the schedule. The Providence Reds finished first overall in the regular season, and won their fourth Calder Cup championship.-Final standings:...
. The franchise was suspended because the archaic Duquesne Gardens
Duquesne Gardens
Duquesne Gardens was the main sports arena located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA during the first half of the 20th century. It opened 3 years after a fire destroyed the city's prior sports arena, the Schenley Park Casino, in 1896. The arena was the first hockey rink to use glass above the dasher...
was torn down. The Hornets reappeared in the new Civic Arena in 1961 and, after a poor start, they became AHL contenders again, this time as a farm club for the Detroit Red Wings. They won a division title in 1964, won the Calder Cup
Calder Cup
The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
in 1967, then vanished for good. The second Hornets ceased operations when the expansion Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
played their first season in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. The Hornets were three-time winners of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
's Calder Cup.
History
The team started as the Detroit Olympics in 1927 playing home games at the Detroit OlympiaDetroit Olympia
Olympia Stadium, better known as the Detroit Olympia and nicknamed The Old Red Barn, stood at 5920 Grand River Avenue in Detroit, Michigan from 1927 until 1987. It was best known as the home of the Detroit Red Wings hockey team of the National Hockey League from its opening until...
. The Olympics played nine seasons in the Canadian Professional Hockey League
Canadian Professional Hockey League
The Canadian Professional Hockey League, also known as Canpro, was a minor professional hockey league founded in 1926. After three seasons, it became the International Hockey League in 1929...
which later became the International-American Hockey League.
In 1936 John Harris
John Harris
-Politics and government:*John Harris , English MP for Grampound in 1555*John Harris English MP for Bere Alston in 1640*John Harris , English MP for Liskeard...
, a Pittsburgh theatre chain owner, purchased the Olympics in October 1936 and renamed the team the Pittsburgh Hornets. The Hornets were in originally in the Canadian Professional Hockey League
Canadian Professional Hockey League
The Canadian Professional Hockey League, also known as Canpro, was a minor professional hockey league founded in 1926. After three seasons, it became the International Hockey League in 1929...
, which was renamed the International American Hockey League in 1929.
Cleveland Falcons
The Cleveland Falcons were a professional ice hockey team in Cleveland, Ohio, that played home games in the Elysium Arena. The team was founded in 1929, as the Cleveland Indians as a member of the International Hockey League, where they played for five seasons, then reamed the Falcons...
on November 7, 1936, at the Duquesne Gardens
Duquesne Gardens
Duquesne Gardens was the main sports arena located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA during the first half of the 20th century. It opened 3 years after a fire destroyed the city's prior sports arena, the Schenley Park Casino, in 1896. The arena was the first hockey rink to use glass above the dasher...
. During the 1938–39 season
1938–39 AHL season
The 1938–39 AHL season was the third season of the International-American Hockey League, known in the present day as the American Hockey League. Eight teams played 54 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the F. G...
, Larry Aurie
Larry Aurie
Harry Lawrence "Little Dempsey" Aurie was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Cougars, Detroit Falcons and Detroit Red Wings.- Playing career :Aurie was considered by owner James Norris as the heart and soul of the...
replaced Don Hughes as the second coach in team history. That year Don Deacon
Don Deacon
Donald John Deacon was a professional ice hockey winger who played parts of three seasons for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League from 1936–37 to 1939–40....
led the IAHL with 41 assists and 65 points. In 1940, the Hornets won 25 and made the playoffs and advance to the Calder Cup
Calder Cup
The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
finals. The Hornets were originally the minor-league affiliate of the Red Wings who won the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
in 1936. Larry Aurie
Larry Aurie
Harry Lawrence "Little Dempsey" Aurie was a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Cougars, Detroit Falcons and Detroit Red Wings.- Playing career :Aurie was considered by owner James Norris as the heart and soul of the...
, a member of that team, was a player-coach
Player-coach
A player-coach, in sports, is a member of a sports team who simultaneously holds both playing and coaching duties. The term can be used to refer to both players who serve as head coaches, or as assistant coaches....
and led them to their first appearance in the Calder Cup Finals in 1940 where they were swept in three games by the Providence Reds
Providence Reds
The Providence Reds were a hockey team that played in the Canadian-American Hockey League between 1926–1936 and the American Hockey League from 1936 to 1977, the last season of which they played as the Rhode Island Reds. The team won the Calder Cup in 1938, 1940, 1949, and 1956...
.
At the start of the 1940–41 season
1940–41 AHL season
The 1940–41 AHL season was the fifth season of the American Hockey League, which had operated the previous four seasons as the "International-American Hockey League." Nine teams played 56 games each in the schedule.The Cleveland Barons won their second F. G...
, the International-American Hockey League (IAHL) became the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL). During the early 1940s the Hornets has mediocre finishes. However during this time frame, the team still continued to set league records. In 1942, Red Heron
Red Heron
Robert Geatrex "Red" Heron was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played 106 games in the National Hockey League. Born in Toronto, Ontario, he played with the Brooklyn Americans, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Montreal Canadiens.-References:*...
set an AHL record by scoring six goals in one game, which is a double hat trick
Hat Trick
Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
. Also in 1944, Bob Gracie
Bob Gracie
Robert Joseph Gracie was a Canadian professional ice hockey centreman who played ten seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, New York Americans, Montreal Maroons, Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks.-Toronto Maple Leafs:The North Bay, Ontario native...
and Bob Walton
Bob Walton
Robert Charles Walton is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 4 games in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens.-External links:...
were the AHL's top scorers with each recording 95 points in the season. Two AHL records were set on March 17, 1945: Pittsburgh the Cleveland Barons set the mark for most goals scored in one period by netting a combined 12 goals in the third period (Pittsburgh 7, Cleveland 5). The total goals scored in the game - 22 - is also a one-game record. However not all records set by the Hornets were positive. During the 1943–44 season
1943–44 AHL season
The 1943–44 AHL season was the eighth season of the American Hockey League. Six teams played in a 54 game schedule. The Cleveland Barons won the F. G...
the Hornets did not win one game away from the Duqesne Gardens. The winless record on the road was the first occurrence of such a feat in the history of the AHL. Following the season Larry Aurie ended his stint as coach to finish with a record of 129-162-39 in 330 games, a .450 winning percentage.
Following Aurie's departure, Max Kaminsky
Max Kaminsky
Max Kaminsky was a professional ice hockey center who played 3 seasons in the National Hockey League for the St. Louis Eagles, Boston Bruins and Montreal Maroons. Following his retirement he was the long time coach for the Pittsburgh Hornets until the team disbanded from 1957-1961 at which point...
became the third coach of the Hornets in 1944. A year later, the Hornets became a minor-league club for the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
ending their affiliation with the Red Wings. For the 1946–47 season
1946–47 AHL season
The 1946–47 AHL season was the 11th season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams played 64 games each in the schedule. The Cleveland Barons won their fifth F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy as West Division champions...
the Hornets returned to the AHL Finals for the second time in team history, losing Game 7 to the mid-state Hershey Bears
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
. The Maple Leafs success with four Stanley Cup championships between 1947 and 1951 helped solidified the minor league Hornets. The Hornets played the Maple Leafs' style of hockey that involved hard, close checking that produced low scoring games. In 1948, the Hornets lost only 18 games, for their best record since 1938. Max Kaminsky would end his coaching career in 1947 with the Hornets. He had a .562 winning percentage. Kaminsky won 91 games, lost 68 and tied 27 in his 186 games behind the bench.
In 1948 the Hornets set the team all-time best record for goals scored in one season with 301 goals. Sid Smith became the firstand only Hornets' player to score 50 goals in one season, finishing with 55 goals and 57 assists, the highest in the AHL, to earn the John B. Sollenberger Trophy
John B. Sollenberger Trophy
The John B. Sollenberger Trophy is given to American Hockey League's leading scorer for the season.The award was named for John B. Sollenberger in 1955. Sollenberger was a long-time contributor to the league as manager and president of the Hershey Bears and former Chairman of the Board of Governors...
for leading scorer. His 112-point total was also the highest in the league and the highest in Hornets' history.
However in 1949 tragedy struck the team when Hornets star goaltender Baz Bastien
Baz Bastien
Aldege "Baz" Bastien was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, head coach and general manager. He played five games for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1945, but received most of his playing accolades while with the Pittsburgh Hornets of the American Hockey League...
lost his right eye after being hit by a puck in preseason. He would later become the coach and general manager. The next year Bastien's replacement, Gil Mayer went on to win the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award. The Hornets made it again to the Calder Cup Finals in 1951 but lost in Game 7 to the Cleveland Barons. Despite the loss, forward Bob Solinger
Bob Solinger
Robert Edward "Solly" Solinger is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 99 games in the National Hockey League. Born in Star City, Saskatchewan, he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings...
was named MVP of playoffs with ten goals and six assists.
Calder Cup Champions
During the 1951–52 season1951–52 AHL season
The 1951–52 AHL season was the 16th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 68 games each in the schedule. The Pittsburgh Hornets won their first F. G...
, Pittsburgh finished first overall in the AHL, finishing with 46 wins and 95 points. The Hornets then finally won their first Calder Cup on April 20, 1952, by beating the Providence Reds
Providence Reds
The Providence Reds were a hockey team that played in the Canadian-American Hockey League between 1926–1936 and the American Hockey League from 1936 to 1977, the last season of which they played as the Rhode Island Reds. The team won the Calder Cup in 1938, 1940, 1949, and 1956...
in six games on a goal by Ray Hannigan
Ray Hannigan
Raymond James Hannigan is a former professional ice hockey right winger. He played 3 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL. His brothers, Pat and Gord, also played professional hockey.-External links:...
during the game's second overtime at the Rhode Island Auditorium
Rhode Island Auditorium
Rhode Island Auditorium was an indoor arena in Providence, Rhode Island, at 1111 North Main Street. It hosted the NBA's Providence Steamrollers from 1946 until 1949, and the Providence Reds ice hockey team until the Providence Civic Center was opened in 1972. The arena held 5,300 people and opened...
. The AHL president, Maurice Podoloff
Maurice Podoloff
Maurice Podoloff was a U.S. lawyer and basketball and ice hockey administrator. He was the first president of the National Basketball Association...
, nor the Calder Cup Trophy, were not present when the Hornets earned the championship. They were later presented with the Cup while traveling en route to Pittsburgh. It was also during the 1951–52 season that the Hornets wore black and gold jerseys for the first time.
Buffalo Bisons (AHL)
The Buffalo Bisons were an American Hockey League ice hockey franchise that played from 1940 to 1970 in Buffalo, New York. They replaced the original Buffalo Bisons hockey team, which left the area in 1936 after its arena collapsed...
in six games to capture the club's second Calder Cup Championship. The Hornets finish first overall in the regular season, the second time in team history, with 70 points. Willie Marshall
Willie Marshall
William "The Whip" Marshall is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward.Marshall played his entire National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He would play in the NHL over the course of four seasons. Marshall is also the highest scorer in the American Hockey League and has played...
won the MVP in the playoffs with an AHL-best 16 points (9 goals, 7 assists).
A five year hiatus
The first Hornets’ team ended after the 1955–56 season. On March 31, 1956, The Hornets played their final game at the Duquesne Gardens; a 6-4 win over the Barons. The Hornets franchise was suspended for five years because Pittsburgh’s urban renewal project, Renaissance I, called for The Gardens to be torn down. Demolition started on August 13, 1956, to make way for the Park Plaza apartments and a local fixture, Stouffer's Restaurant. Today Duranti's Restaurant features the only remaining evidence of the Gardens, with 2, 11-feet wide sections of exposed redbrick wall. The wall would have been the front wall of the Gardens' visiting team's dressing room. However Duranti's closed in in 2008, and the bricks were removed and stored for two years. Pittsburghhockey.net, an online Pittsburgh hockey museum, donated bricks to the Pittsburgh Penguins' current arena CONSOL Energy Center for an historical display. The display contains original bricks from the Duquesne Gardens and Mellon Arena.The Gardens would be replaced as the home rink of the city's pro hockey team as construction of the Pittsburgh Civic Arena began in 1958, three miles to the west of the Gardens. At that time due to the disrepair of the arena and the franchise being suspended, the city of Rochester
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
was awarded a franchise, becoming the Rochester Americans
Rochester Americans
The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
.
The Hornets II
In 19611961–62 AHL season
The 1961–62 AHL season was the 26th season of the American Hockey League. The league initiates the James C. Hendy Memorial Award for outstanding team or league executives. The league resumes East and West Divisions. The John D. Chick Trophy is first awarded for the West Division champions of the...
the franchise returned as a minor league team for the Red Wings, the Hornets emerged from five years of inactivity and played their first game at the Civic Arena, on October 14, 1961, in front of 9,317 fans. The Hornets were back but the records during the next two years gave little to cheer for.
The Hornets set many AHL records during the 1961–62 season: Most times shut out in a season (9); most games lost in a season (58) and most games lost at home (27). The team also finished in last place in AHL, finishing with the fewest number of wins in team history (10) and their lowest point total in team history (22). The next season the Hornets doubled their total of wins in their second season back from returning to the AHL. However, the team established the AHL's record for the longest winless streak. The team went 0-22-1 before beating the Hershey Bears on March 26.
1963–64 AHL season
The 1963–64 AHL season was the 28th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Quebec Aces finished first overall in the regular season...
when goaltender Roger Crozier
Roger Crozier
Roger Allan Crozier was a Canadian professional hockey goaltender who played fourteen seasons in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres and Washington Capitals....
won the Dudley "Red" Garrett Memorial Award for being the AHL's Rookie of the Year. Crozier also won the Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award for being the best goalkeeper in the AHL. It was the eighth time in the 23-year history of the team that a Hornets' goalie won the award.
Exterminated
On February 8, 1966, Pittsburgh was granted an NHLNational Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
franchise, which would become the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
. To make room for the NHL, Pittsburgh's AHL franchise had to be closed. However the Hornets would go out with a bang. On April 30, 1967, they finished the sweep of Rochester Americans
Rochester Americans
The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial...
in the Calder Cup Finals after Billy Harris scored :26 seconds into overtime in what would be the last goal in Pittsburgh Hornets’ history. Thirty-one years after the Hornets first game, Coach Baz Bastien was presented with the Calder Cup. The Hornets were Calder Cup Champions one last time.
Mellon Arena banner
On February 3, 2001, the Pittsburgh Penguins minor-league affiliate, The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsWilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza...
, played a tribute game at the Mellon Arena
Mellon Arena
Civic Arena is an indoor arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that is currently undergoing demolition. It was the first retractable roof major sports venue in the world, covering 170,000 sq. feet and constructed with just shy of 3,000 tons of Pittsburgh steel...
against the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks
Cincinnati Mighty Ducks
The Cincinnati Mighty Ducks were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, at the Cincinnati Gardens.-History:...
(affiliated with the Red Wings, as well as the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
at the time). The WBS Pens wore Hornets jerseys and a banner was raised inside the arena that celebrated the three Hornets’ Calder Cup Championships. The banner has since been removed from inside the Mellon Arena and arena officials aren't sure of its location.
First jerseys: 1936–1950
1936–37 AHL season
The 1936-37 AHL season was the first season of the International-American Hockey League, known in the present day as the American Hockey League. The IAHL was formed following a merger between the International Hockey League and the Canadian-American Hockey League.The league consisted of eight teams...
, the Hornets wore wool jerseys that were likely recycled from the Detroit Olympics. The home jerseys worn by the Hornets during their first season in Pittsburgh were white with red trim. The front of the jersey featured a large circular crest with the Hornets' logo and team name. Their road jerseys were red with white trim around the shoulders and sleeves with the circular crest. From 1939 until 1943, the Hornets home jerseys were red wool with a white script "P" and the word "Hornets" sewn onto them. The Hornets were a minor league team of the NHL Detroit Red Wings and likely wore hand-me-downs jerseys from the parent club. This trend held into the 1946–47 AHL season
1946–47 AHL season
The 1946–47 AHL season was the 11th season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams played 64 games each in the schedule. The Cleveland Barons won their fifth F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy as West Division champions...
, when the team wore red wool jerseys for home games with a simple, block number on front and back. Simple crew neck collar. The sleeves featured a Hornet wearing a steel worker's hard hat. The road versions of these sweaters were reversed; white body with red trim. The 1948 jersey took this style one step further by including seven stars on each sleeve, including a star below the hornet near the cuffs. The road versions of these sweaters were reversed; white body with red trim.
Black and Gold
The Hornets introduced a new black and gold color scheme that was familiar with the city's baseball teamPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
and football team
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. The color wasn't new for hockey in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates (NHL)
The Pittsburgh Pirates were an American professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League , based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1925–26 to 1929–30. The nickname comes from the baseball team also based in the city...
wore those colors from 1925–29, before switching to black and orange in 1929–30.
The home jerseys were wool. The colors scheme was black with gold trim. The jerseys featured tie-down collars and the familiar hornet in a hard hat on the sleeves. The road jerseys consisted of a gold body and black trim.
Hornets II jerseys
After five years of inactivity, The Hornets were sporting the red and white wool jerseys again. The jerseys featured tie-down collars. A full circular crest trimmed in gold replaced the familiar hornet in a hard hat on the sleeves. The Captain's "C" or alternate captain's "A's" were worn on the right side of the chest. The home jerseys were red with white trim and featured the stars on the sleeves again. The road jerseys were initially blue in color with gold trim - a design that didn't last long in that first season back.1961 alternate jersey
To celebrate the return of the Hornets in 1961, owner John Harris wanted to have a unique jersey for the road. The result was a blue wool jersey trimmed in gold. The jersey only lasted more than two months. The problem was how the blue color translated on black-and-white television during an October game against Buffalo. Home teams wore darker colors in those days and, unfortunately, the blue jerseys looked like dark jerseys too. Rare television coverage was too confusing for viewers who couldn't see any contrast between the teams on the tube. The jerseys featured tie-down collars with a full circular crest trimmed in gold.Final year jerseys: 1965–1967
During the final years of the franchise, the Hornets wore the same jerseys used by their NHL affiliate, the Detroit Red Wings, with the exception of a circular Hornets crest.Season-by-season results
- Detroit Olympics 1927–1936 (International Hockey LeagueInternational Hockey League (1929-36)The International Hockey League was a professional ice hockey league operating in Canada and the United States from 1929 to 1936. It was a direct ancestor of the American Hockey League....
) - Pittsburgh Hornets 1936–1940 (International-American Hockey League)
- Pittsburgh Hornets 1940–1956 (American Hockey LeagueAmerican Hockey LeagueThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
) - Pittsburgh Hornets 1961–1967 (American Hockey League)
Regular season
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | Points | Winning Pct (%) | Goals for | Goals against | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1936–37 1936–37 AHL season The 1936-37 AHL season was the first season of the International-American Hockey League, known in the present day as the American Hockey League. The IAHL was formed following a merger between the International Hockey League and the Canadian-American Hockey League.The league consisted of eight teams... |
48 | 22 | 23 | 3 | 47 | 0.490 | 122 | 124 | 2nd, West |
| 1937–38 1937–38 AHL season The 1937-38 AHL season was the second season of the International-American Hockey League, known in the present day as the American Hockey League. Seven teams played a 48 game season. The Cleveland Barons won the F. G... |
48 | 22 | 18 | 8 | 52 | 0.542 | 100 | 104 | 2nd, West |
| 1938–39 1938–39 AHL season The 1938–39 AHL season was the third season of the International-American Hockey League, known in the present day as the American Hockey League. Eight teams played 54 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the F. G... |
54 | 22 | 28 | 4 | 48 | 0.444 | 176 | 166 | 4th, West |
| 1939–40 1939–40 AHL season The 1939–40 AHL season was the fourth season of the International-American Hockey League, known in the present day as the American Hockey League. The league consisted of nine teams total. Four teams in the Eastern Division played a 54 game season, while five teams in the Western Division played a... |
56 | 25 | 22 | 9 | 59 | 0.527 | 152 | 133 | 3rd, West |
| 1940–41 1940–41 AHL season The 1940–41 AHL season was the fifth season of the American Hockey League, which had operated the previous four seasons as the "International-American Hockey League." Nine teams played 56 games each in the schedule.The Cleveland Barons won their second F. G... |
56 | 21 | 29 | 6 | 48 | 0.429 | 156 | 170 | 3rd, West |
| 1941–42 1941–42 AHL season The 1941–42 AHL season was the sixth season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams played 56 games each in the schedule. The Indianapolis Capitals won the F. G... |
56 | 23 | 28 | 5 | 51 | 0.455 | 210 | 223 | 5th, West |
| 1942–43 1942–43 AHL season The 1942–43 AHL season was the seventh season of the American Hockey League. Seven teams played 56 games each in the schedule, while an eighth team, the New Haven Eagles ceased operations 32 games into the season, in January 1943. The Buffalo Bisons won the F. G... |
56 | 26 | 24 | 6 | 58 | 0.518 | 183 | 203 | 3rd, West |
| 1943–44 1943–44 AHL season The 1943–44 AHL season was the eighth season of the American Hockey League. Six teams played in a 54 game schedule. The Cleveland Barons won the F. G... |
52 | 12 | 31 | 9 | 33 | 0.317 | 140 | 181 | 3rd, West |
| 1944–45 1944–45 AHL season The 1944–45 AHL season was the ninth season of the American Hockey League. Seven teams played 60 games each in the schedule. The Cleveland Barons won their third F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy as West Division champions, and their third Calder Cup as league champions.... |
60 | 26 | 7 | 27 | 59 | 0.658 | 267 | 247 | 3rd, West |
| 1945–46 1945–46 AHL season The 1945–46 AHL season was the tenth season of the American Hockey League. Eight teams played 62 games each in the schedule. The Indianapolis Capitals won their third F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy as West Division champions... |
62 | 30 | 22 | 10 | 70 | 0.565 | 262 | 226 | 2nd, West |
| 1946–47 1946–47 AHL season The 1946–47 AHL season was the 11th season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams played 64 games each in the schedule. The Cleveland Barons won their fifth F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy as West Division champions... |
64 | 35 | 19 | 10 | 80 | 0.625 | 260 | 188 | 3rd, West |
| 1947–48 1947–48 AHL season The 1947–48 AHL season was the 12th season of the American Hockey League. Eleven teams played 68 games each in the schedule. The Cleveland Barons won their sixth F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy as West Division champions, and won their fourth Calder Cup as league champions.It was the first season, the AHL... |
68 | 38 | 18 | 12 | 88 | 0.647 | 238 | 170 | 2nd, West |
| 1948–49 1948–49 AHL season The 1948–49 AHL season was the 13th season of the American Hockey League. Eleven teams played 68 games each in the schedule. The Wally Kilrea Trophy for the league's "top point scorer," is renamed the Carl Liscombe Trophy. The St. Louis Flyers won their first F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy as West... |
68 | 39 | 19 | 10 | 88 | 0.647 | 301 | 175 | 4th, West |
| 1949–50 1949–50 AHL season The 1949–50 AHL season was the 14th season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams played 70 games each in the schedule. The Cleveland Barons won their seventh F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy as West Division champions... |
70 | 29 | 26 | 15 | 73 | 0.521 | 215 | 185 | 4th, West |
| 1950–51 1950–51 AHL season The 1950–51 AHL season was the 15th season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams were scheduled to played 70 games each, however the New Haven Eagles folded midseason. The Cleveland Barons won their eighth F. G... |
71 | 31 | 33 | 7 | 69 | 0.486 | 212 | 177 | 3rd, West |
| 1951–52 1951–52 AHL season The 1951–52 AHL season was the 16th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 68 games each in the schedule. The Pittsburgh Hornets won their first F. G... |
68 | 46 | 19 | 3 | 95 | 0.699 | 267 | 179 | 1st, West |
| 1952–53 1952–53 AHL season The 1952–53 AHL season was the 17th season of the American Hockey League. The league loses two teams, bringing an end to East & West Divisions. The F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy is now awarded to the regular season champions. Seven teams played 64 games each in the schedule... |
64 | 37 | 21 | 6 | 80 | 0.625 | 223 | 149 | 2nd, AHL |
| 1953–54 1953–54 AHL season The 1953–54 AHL season was the 18th season of the American Hockey League. Six teams played 70 games each in the schedule. The Cleveland Barons won their seventh Calder Cup championship.-Final standings:... |
70 | 34 | 31 | 5 | 73 | 0.521 | 250 | 222 | 4th, AHL |
| 1954–55 1954–55 AHL season The 1954–55 AHL season was the 19th season of the American Hockey League. Six teams played 64 games each in the schedule. The "Carl Liscombe Trophy" for the league's top scorer is renamed to the John B. Sollenberger Trophy. The All-Star game is revived, with the AHL All-Stars taking on the... |
64 | 31 | 25 | 8 | 70 | 0.547 | 187 | 180 | 1st, AHL |
| 1955–56 1955–56 AHL season The 1955–56 AHL season was the 20th season of the American Hockey League. Six teams played 64 games each in the schedule. The Providence Reds finished first overall in the regular season, and won their fourth Calder Cup championship.-Final standings:... |
64 | 43 | 17 | 4 | 90 | 0.703 | 271 | 186 | 2nd, AHL |
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | Points | Winning Pct (%) | Goals for | Goals against | Standing |
| 1961–62 1961–62 AHL season The 1961–62 AHL season was the 26th season of the American Hockey League. The league initiates the James C. Hendy Memorial Award for outstanding team or league executives. The league resumes East and West Divisions. The John D. Chick Trophy is first awarded for the West Division champions of the... |
70 | 10 | 58 | 2 | 22 | 0.157 | 177 | 367 | 4th, West |
| 1962–63 1962–63 AHL season The 1962–63 AHL season was the 27th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Buffalo Bisons finished first overall in the regular season, and won their fourth Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:... |
72 | 20 | 48 | 4 | 44 | 0.306 | 200 | 317 | 4th, West |
| 1963–64 1963–64 AHL season The 1963–64 AHL season was the 28th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Quebec Aces finished first overall in the regular season... |
72 | 40 | 29 | 3 | 83 | 0.576 | 242 | 196 | 1st, West |
| 1964–65 1964–65 AHL season The 1964–65 AHL season was the 29th season of the American Hockey League. The league inaugurates the James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding media coverage of the AHL.Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule... |
72 | 29 | 36 | 7 | 65 | 0.451 | 228 | 256 | 3rd, West |
| 1965–66 1965–66 AHL season The 1965–66 AHL season was the 30th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The league played a limited interlocking schedule with the Western Hockey League which was repeated two seasons later. The Quebec Aces finished first overall in the regular... |
72 | 38 | 33 | 1 | 77 | 0.535 | 236 | 218 | 3rd, West |
| 1966–67 1966–67 AHL season The 1966–67 AHL season was the 31st season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Pittsburgh Hornets finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship since being resurrected in 1961–62... |
72 | 41 | 21 | 10 | 92 | 0.639 | 282 | 209 | 1st, West |
Playoffs
| Season | 1st round | 2nd round | Finals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1936–37 1936–37 AHL season The 1936-37 AHL season was the first season of the International-American Hockey League, known in the present day as the American Hockey League. The IAHL was formed following a merger between the International Hockey League and the Canadian-American Hockey League.The league consisted of eight teams... |
Data unavailable. | ||
| 1937–38 1937–38 AHL season The 1937-38 AHL season was the second season of the International-American Hockey League, known in the present day as the American Hockey League. Seven teams played a 48 game season. The Cleveland Barons won the F. G... |
Data unavailable. | ||
| 1938–39 1938–39 AHL season The 1938–39 AHL season was the third season of the International-American Hockey League, known in the present day as the American Hockey League. Eight teams played 54 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the F. G... |
Data unavailable. | ||
| 1939–40 1939–40 AHL season The 1939–40 AHL season was the fourth season of the International-American Hockey League, known in the present day as the American Hockey League. The league consisted of nine teams total. Four teams in the Eastern Division played a 54 game season, while five teams in the Western Division played a... |
?? | ?? | L, 0-3, Providence Providence Reds The Providence Reds were a hockey team that played in the Canadian-American Hockey League between 1926–1936 and the American Hockey League from 1936 to 1977, the last season of which they played as the Rhode Island Reds. The team won the Calder Cup in 1938, 1940, 1949, and 1956... |
| 1940–41 1940–41 AHL season The 1940–41 AHL season was the fifth season of the American Hockey League, which had operated the previous four seasons as the "International-American Hockey League." Nine teams played 56 games each in the schedule.The Cleveland Barons won their second F. G... |
W, 2-1, Springfield Springfield Indians The Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with... |
L, 1-2, Hershey Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of... |
— |
| 1941–42 1941–42 AHL season The 1941–42 AHL season was the sixth season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams played 56 games each in the schedule. The Indianapolis Capitals won the F. G... |
Out of playoffs. | ||
| 1942–43 1942–43 AHL season The 1942–43 AHL season was the seventh season of the American Hockey League. Seven teams played 56 games each in the schedule, while an eighth team, the New Haven Eagles ceased operations 32 games into the season, in January 1943. The Buffalo Bisons won the F. G... |
L, 0-2, Indianapolis Indianapolis Capitals The Indianapolis Capitals was an American Hockey League professional ice hockey team based in Indianapolis, Indiana from 1939–1952. The Capitals were a farm team for the Detroit Red Wings. Indianapolis won the Calder Cup in 1942 and 1950... |
— | — |
| 1943–44 1943–44 AHL season The 1943–44 AHL season was the eighth season of the American Hockey League. Six teams played in a 54 game schedule. The Cleveland Barons won the F. G... |
Out of playoffs. | ||
| 1944–45 1944–45 AHL season The 1944–45 AHL season was the ninth season of the American Hockey League. Seven teams played 60 games each in the schedule. The Cleveland Barons won their third F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy as West Division champions, and their third Calder Cup as league champions.... |
Out of playoffs. | ||
| 1945–46 1945–46 AHL season The 1945–46 AHL season was the tenth season of the American Hockey League. Eight teams played 62 games each in the schedule. The Indianapolis Capitals won their third F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy as West Division champions... |
W, 2-1, Hershey Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of... |
L, 1-2, Cleveland | — |
| 1946–47 1946–47 AHL season The 1946–47 AHL season was the 11th season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams played 64 games each in the schedule. The Cleveland Barons won their fifth F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy as West Division champions... |
W, 2-1, New Haven | W, 2-0, Buffalo Buffalo Bisons (AHL) The Buffalo Bisons were an American Hockey League ice hockey franchise that played from 1940 to 1970 in Buffalo, New York. They replaced the original Buffalo Bisons hockey team, which left the area in 1936 after its arena collapsed... |
L, 3-4, Hershey Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of... |
| 1947–48 1947–48 AHL season The 1947–48 AHL season was the 12th season of the American Hockey League. Eleven teams played 68 games each in the schedule. The Cleveland Barons won their sixth F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy as West Division champions, and won their fourth Calder Cup as league champions.It was the first season, the AHL... |
L, 0-2, New Haven | — | — |
| 1948–49 1948–49 AHL season The 1948–49 AHL season was the 13th season of the American Hockey League. Eleven teams played 68 games each in the schedule. The Wally Kilrea Trophy for the league's "top point scorer," is renamed the Carl Liscombe Trophy. The St. Louis Flyers won their first F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy as West... |
Out of playoffs. | ||
| 1949–50 1949–50 AHL season The 1949–50 AHL season was the 14th season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams played 70 games each in the schedule. The Cleveland Barons won their seventh F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy as West Division champions... |
Out of playoffs. | ||
| 1950–51 1950–51 AHL season The 1950–51 AHL season was the 15th season of the American Hockey League. Ten teams were scheduled to played 70 games each, however the New Haven Eagles folded midseason. The Cleveland Barons won their eighth F. G... |
W, 3-0, Springfield Springfield Indians The Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with... |
W, 3-0, Hershey Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of... |
L, 3-4, Cleveland |
| 1951–52 1951–52 AHL season The 1951–52 AHL season was the 16th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 68 games each in the schedule. The Pittsburgh Hornets won their first F. G... |
W, 4-1, Hershey Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of... |
bye | W, 4-2, Providence Providence Reds The Providence Reds were a hockey team that played in the Canadian-American Hockey League between 1926–1936 and the American Hockey League from 1936 to 1977, the last season of which they played as the Rhode Island Reds. The team won the Calder Cup in 1938, 1940, 1949, and 1956... |
| 1952–53 1952–53 AHL season The 1952–53 AHL season was the 17th season of the American Hockey League. The league loses two teams, bringing an end to East & West Divisions. The F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy is now awarded to the regular season champions. Seven teams played 64 games each in the schedule... |
W, 3-0, Hershey Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of... |
— | L, 3-4, Cleveland |
| 1953–54 1953–54 AHL season The 1953–54 AHL season was the 18th season of the American Hockey League. Six teams played 70 games each in the schedule. The Cleveland Barons won their seventh Calder Cup championship.-Final standings:... |
L, 2-3, Hershey Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of... |
— | — |
| 1954–55 1954–55 AHL season The 1954–55 AHL season was the 19th season of the American Hockey League. Six teams played 64 games each in the schedule. The "Carl Liscombe Trophy" for the league's top scorer is renamed to the John B. Sollenberger Trophy. The All-Star game is revived, with the AHL All-Stars taking on the... |
W, 3-1, Springfield Springfield Indians The Springfield Indians were a minor professional ice hockey franchise, originally based in West Springfield, Massachusetts and later Springfield, Massachusetts. The Indians were founding members of the American Hockey League. They were in existence for a total of 60 seasons from 1926 to 1994, with... |
— | W, 4-2, Buffalo Buffalo Bisons (AHL) The Buffalo Bisons were an American Hockey League ice hockey franchise that played from 1940 to 1970 in Buffalo, New York. They replaced the original Buffalo Bisons hockey team, which left the area in 1936 after its arena collapsed... |
| 1955–56 1955–56 AHL season The 1955–56 AHL season was the 20th season of the American Hockey League. Six teams played 64 games each in the schedule. The Providence Reds finished first overall in the regular season, and won their fourth Calder Cup championship.-Final standings:... |
L, 1-3, Cleveland | — | — |
| Season | 1st round | 2nd round | Finals |
| 1961–62 1961–62 AHL season The 1961–62 AHL season was the 26th season of the American Hockey League. The league initiates the James C. Hendy Memorial Award for outstanding team or league executives. The league resumes East and West Divisions. The John D. Chick Trophy is first awarded for the West Division champions of the... |
Out of playoffs | ||
| 1962–63 1962–63 AHL season The 1962–63 AHL season was the 27th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Buffalo Bisons finished first overall in the regular season, and won their fourth Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:... |
Out of playoffs | ||
| 1963–64 1963–64 AHL season The 1963–64 AHL season was the 28th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Quebec Aces finished first overall in the regular season... |
L, 1-4, Quebec Quebec Aces The Quebec Aces, also known in French as Les As de Québec, were an amateur and later a professional men's ice hockey team from Quebec City, Quebec. The Aces were founded in 1928, and played until 1971. The team played home games at the Quebec Coliseum from 1930 to 1971.The Aces were Allan Cup... |
— | — |
| 1964–65 1964–65 AHL season The 1964–65 AHL season was the 29th season of the American Hockey League. The league inaugurates the James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding media coverage of the AHL.Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule... |
L, 1-3, Buffalo Buffalo Bisons (AHL) The Buffalo Bisons were an American Hockey League ice hockey franchise that played from 1940 to 1970 in Buffalo, New York. They replaced the original Buffalo Bisons hockey team, which left the area in 1936 after its arena collapsed... |
— | — |
| 1965–66 1965–66 AHL season The 1965–66 AHL season was the 30th season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The league played a limited interlocking schedule with the Western Hockey League which was repeated two seasons later. The Quebec Aces finished first overall in the regular... |
L, 0-3, Cleveland | — | — |
| 1966–67 1966–67 AHL season The 1966–67 AHL season was the 31st season of the American Hockey League. Nine teams played 72 games each in the schedule. The Pittsburgh Hornets finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship since being resurrected in 1961–62... |
W, 4-1, Hershey Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of... |
bye | W, 4-0, Rochester Rochester Americans The Rochester Americans are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and a top affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The team plays its home games in Rochester, New York, at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial... |
Franchise leaders=
Goals: 130 (John "Peanuts" O'Flaherty, 1940–50 and Bob Solinger
Bob Solinger
Robert Edward "Solly" Solinger is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 99 games in the National Hockey League. Born in Star City, Saskatchewan, he played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings...
, 1949–56)
Assists: 253 (Frank Mathers
Frank Mathers
Frank Sydney Mathers was a professional ice hockey player during the 1940s and 1950s with the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs, and the AHL Pittsburgh Hornets and Hershey Bears, and is best known for his 35-year association with the Bears...
, 1948–56)
Points: 319 (John "Peanuts" O'Flaherty, 1940–50)
PIM: 442 (Pete Backor
Pete Backor
Peter Backor was a professional ice hockey defenceman who played briefly for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL.-Career:...
, 1945–54)
Hall of Famers=
Player
- Sid AbelSid AbelSidney Gerald Abel was a Canadian professional hockey player and later coach in the National Hockey League...
1969 - George Armstrong 1975
- Marty BarryMarty BarryMartin J. "Goal-a-Game" Barry was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1965...
1965 - Andy BathgateAndy BathgateAndrew James Bathgate is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.-Playing career:...
1978 - Leo BoivinLeo BoivinLéo Joseph Boivin is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota North Stars.-Playing career:Leo Boivin began playing hockey at seven years...
1986 - Gerry CheeversGerry CheeversGerald Michael "Cheesey" Cheevers is a former goaltender in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association between 1961 and 1980, most famous for his two stints with the Boston Bruins, where he backstopped the team to Stanley Cup wins in 1970 and 1972...
1985 - Fernie FlamanFernie FlamanFerdinand Carl Flaman was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League. He was known as a physical defensive defenceman and a consummate bodychecker...
1996 - Doug Harvey 1973
- Tim HortonTim HortonMyles Gilbert "Tim" Horton was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He played in 24 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres. He was also a businessman and a co-founder of Tim Hortons. He died in an...
1977 - Jack Stewart 1964
Builder
- Frank MathersFrank MathersFrank Sydney Mathers was a professional ice hockey player during the 1940s and 1950s with the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs, and the AHL Pittsburgh Hornets and Hershey Bears, and is best known for his 35-year association with the Bears...
1992 Coach - Bill TorreyBill TorreyWilliam A. Torrey was a General Manager and executive in the National Hockey League, most famous for building up the expansion New York Islanders into a dynasty that won four consecutive Stanley Cups...
1995 General manager
Other
- Howie MeekerHowie MeekerHoward William Meeker, C.M. is a former right winger in the National Hockey League, youth coach and educator in ice hockey and television sports announcer as well as a former Progressive Conservative Member of Parliament...
1998 Pittsburgh Hornets Broadcaster
External links
- http://www.hockeyresearch.com/atkinsj/memories.html
- http://www.penguinjersey.com/HornetsPages/HornetsLOBBY.html
- http://www.pensinfo.com/?q=node/70