Hockey Programs

1995-96 Regular Season--Fury vs. Saginaw Wheels      The Muskegon Fury were members of the Colonial/United Hockey League. They joined the league as an expansion franchise, replacing the recently departed Muskegon Lumberjacks of the IHL. The franchise was owned by Tony Lisman, who was also General Manager. Bill Stewart was the Head Coach The Fury played their home games at 5000-seat LC Walker Arena.      The Fury had a fine season both on and off the ice in 1995-96. Muskegon captured the West Division crown with a solid 40-27-7 record. Their 87 points were three points ahead of second place Thunder Bay, but 20 behind Tarry Cup-winning Flint. LC Walker Arena saw an average of 3,383 fans per game file into the building that year, third highest in the league.      The Fury iced a low-scoring team that year, lighting the lamp just 273 times, third-lowest in the league. Brett Seguin led the way on offense, with 106 points on th...

1971-72 Regular Season--Red Wings vs. St. Louis Blues      The Detroit Red Wings had a noticeable absence in their locker room heading into the 1971-72 season. Legendary Gordie Howe retired after the 1970-71 season. Only Alex Delvecchio remained from the 1955 Stanley Cup roster, and he would continue until 1974. The times were changing at the Olympia.      After such a miserable 1970-71 season, the Red Wings could look forward to the second overall pick in the 1971 NHL Entry Draft. (Note: They picked behind the Montreal Canadiens, who won the 1971 Stanley Cup. Montreal got the #1 pick from the California Golden Seals in an incredibly one-sided deal...which probably explains why the Golden Seals no longer exist.). The Wings used that pick on St. Catherines Black Hawks star Marcel Dionne. In a very unpopular move (for both sides), the Wings also sent rising star Garry Unger to the St. Louis Blues for star center Red Berenson.   ...

1970-71 Regular Season--Red Wings v.s Minnesota North Stars      1970-71 was the 44th season of play for the Detroit Red Wings. After making the Stanley Cup Finals four times in the 1960s (losing each time), the franchise collapsed. The Wings missed the playoffs in 1967 and 1968. They rebounded in 1970, but were quickly swept away by Chicago in the first round.      In 1970-71, the Red Wings were still owned by Bruce Norris, whose family had owned the team since the 1930s. Norris would hire a name that would become infamous in Detroit sports that offseason: Ned Harkness, fresh from the college ranks. Harkness would immediately clash with his players, many of which did not care for his "rah-rah", often profane outbursts behind the bench. Not surprisingly, the Wings got off to a miserable 12-22-4 start. GM Sid Abel, after hearing numerous complaints from the players, approached Norris to see if he had the power to fire Harkness. When Norris sai...

1963-64 Regular Season--Red Wings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs      The Detroit Red Wings were in the middle of their 37th year of existence during the 1963-64 season. The franchise was owned by Bruce Norris and played their home games at Olympia Stadium. Former "Production Line" center Sid Abel was back behind the bench and took on the role of General Manager as well.      On December 31, 1963, the Red Wings would ring in the new year with a game against their arch-rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs were the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, having routed the Wings in five games the previous season.      This season was toward the end of the fabled "Original Six" era in the NHL, as the league fielded only a half-dozen teams from 1942-43 to 1966-67. As a result, most NHL rosters were pretty strong. The Red Wings were no different, as they had eight future Hall of Famers on their roster. They are Terry Sawchuck, ...

1946-47 Regular Season--Barons vs. Indianapolis Capitals      The Cleveland Barons were a long-time member of the American Hockey League, the second-highest level of pro hockey in North America. They existed from 1937-73 and played their home games at Cleveland Arena, a 9953-seat arena.      In 1946-47, the Barons were coached by former New York Rangers star forward Frederick "Bun" Cook, who would coach the team from 1943-56. His Barons would win the AHL Western Division crown by one point, edging out second place Buffalo. Cleveland's 38-18-8 record and 84 points would tie the Hershey Bears for first overall that season, with Cleveland winning the regular season with two more victories. This program is from a November 30, 1946, game against the Indianapolis Capitals, who were coached by future Red Wings coach Tommy Ivan. Cook's Cleveland bunch won this game, 7-3, to improve their record to 13-4-0.      Cook's Barons wou...