Hockey Programs

1973-74 Regular Season Blazers vs. Broome Dusters      Syracuse, New York, has been part of numerous minor-pro hockey leagues. The Blazers arrived on the scene in 1967, joining the Eastern Hockey League as an expansion franchise. When the EHL split up, the Blazers switched to the North American Hockey League (no relation to the junior league). Ron Ingram was General Manager and Head Coach that season. The Blazers were an affiliate of the WHA's New York Golden Blades and played their home  games at the Onondaga County War Memorial, which sat 6,000.      Syracuse had an excellent season in Year One of the NAHL, running away with the league crown with a 54-16-4 record. Their 112 points were 19 more than second place Maine.      Ingram's Blazers had no problem scoring goals, as they notched 359 goals, second-most in the league. The team had a trio of 40-goal scorers, led by Mike Morton, who had 44 goals and 95 points. Four other player...

1974-75 Regular Season Americans vs. Syracuse Eagles      The Rochester Americans have been one of the longest-lasting minor league hockey teams in history. Starting in 1956, the Amerks have been a member of the American Hockey League every season since--only the Hershey Bears and Fort Wayne Komets have lasted in the same city longer.      In 1974-75, the Amerks were the primary affiliate of the Boston Bruins. Rochester's previous coach was now the bench boss in Boston. You might have heard of him. Outrageous suits, 12-inch collars, controversial fan of "Rock 'em, Sock 'em" hockey? That's right, Don Cherry. Cherry was replaced by Dick Mattiussi, former defenseman. Mattiussi inherited a talented bunch, as the working agreement with Boston allowed the Americans to keep the best players from last year's team and the Bruins' former affiliate, the now-defunct Boston Braves.      The 1974-75 Americans would finish 42-25-9, good enough for sec...

1957-58 Regular Season Ramblers vs. Charlotte Clippers      Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been home to two NHL clubs: the Quakers who lasted just one season, and the Flyers, who were born in 1967. In between, Philly was home to a handful of minor-pro clubs in various leagues. One of them was the Philadelphia Ramblers of the Eastern Hockey League, a blood-and-guts league that was a couple notches below the NHL. The Ramblers played their home games at the old Philadelphia Arena and were coached by Edgar "Chirp" Brenchley.      Brenchley's Ramblers had a so-so season in 1957-58, going 30-31-3. Their 63 points put them in fifth place, just two behind fourth-place Johnstown and 14 behind league-best Charlotte.      On offense, the Ramblers potted 223 goals, fourth in the league. They were led by Bill Kurtz (featured on the cover), who had 35 goals and 71 points in 64 games. Three other players, Rheal Savard (24), Nick Rukavina (22) and Ros...

1984-85 Regular Season Checkers vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks      The Indianapolis Checkers were born in 1979, to replace the defunct WHA Racers, who folded during the 1978-79 season. The team was the primary affiliate of the New York Islanders and were originally part of the Central Hockey League. The Checkers played their home games at the Indiana Fairgrounds Coliseum, which held 8,421.       The Islanders had a talent-rich farm system and the Checkers greatly benefited, winning two Adams Cups in 1982 and 1983, then lost in the final Adams Cup Finals in 1984.      The Checkers were a solid franchise in a successful farm system, but the CHL itself was a different matter. Unlike the Great Lakes-based IHL, the CHL was spread throughout the country, mostly west of the Mississippi River. Teams would have to travel as far north as Billings, Montana, as far south as Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, to as far east as Indianapolis. Due to sky-high travel ...

1970-71 Regular Season Rebels vs. Charlotte Checkers      The Roanoke Valley Rebels were members of the Eastern Hockey League. They began as the Salem Rebels in 1968, but relocated to Roanoke, VA, after the Roanoke Valley Civic Center was opened in time for the 1970-71 season.      Colin Kilburn was named Rebels head coach in 1969 and was behind the bench for 1970-71 as well. Kilburn's Rebs went 31-34-9, good enough for third place in the Southern Division. Their 71 points were 14 points ahead of the Nashville Dixie Flyers, but a whopping 46 behind first place Charlotte, the opponent for this program.      Roanoke scored the third-fewest goals that season, with a paltry 257--only Clinton and Jacksonville scored less. Dave Parenteau led the Rebel attack, potting 30 goals and 87 points. Late-season pickup Dale MacLeish scored 41 goals with three different teams that season. Three other Rebels scored at least 20.      Ro...

1958-59 Regular Season Reds vs. Buffalo Bisons      The Rhode Island Reds were a storied franchise in the American Hockey League. The franchise was born (or is that "hatched"?) in 1926, and lasted for 51 seasons. They played their home games at the Rhode Island Auditorium, and were affiliated with the Boston Bruins for 1958-59.      Jack Crawford, longtime Bruins defenseman, was head coach for the Reds that season. Crawford's Reds collapsed to the AHL cellar, going 28-40-2. Their meager 58 points were four points behind fifth-place Springfield and 22 behind league-best Buffalo (the opponent for this program).      Rhode Island scored 222 goals that year, second-fewest in the AHL. Former Maple Leaf Cal Gardner was tops with 24 goals and 63 points in 68 games. Ray Ross was the only other Red with 20+ goals.      On defense, the Reds allowed the second-most goals in the AHL, as opponents scored 282 times. Three goaltenders ...

1978-79 Regular Season Red Wings vs. Salt Lake Golden Eagles      Detroit's top farm club was back in Kansas City and the Central Hockey League for the second straight season. The Kansas City Red Wings, formerly the Kansas City Blues, played their home games at Kemper Arena, which held 16,031 fans.      Larry Wilson, former Detroit Red Wing, returned behind the bench. Ted Lindsay doubled as GM in both Detroit and Kansas City. The KC Wings were coming off a 33-40-3 fifth place season in 1977-78, missing the playoffs. Wilson's bunch improved to 37-36-3, good enough for third place in the CHL. Their 77 points were 24 points behind league-best Salt Lake (that night's opponent) and seven ahead of fourth-place Fort Worth.      The Wings could score that year, lighting the lamp 301 times, third overall in the league. Mal Davis led the way with 42 goals and 66 point in 71 games. Two other players, Roland Cloutier and Jim Malazdrewicz, were the ...