Hockey Programs

1983-84 Regular Season Goaldiggers vs. Muskegon Mohawks      The Toledo Goaldiggers were coming off one of the greatest stretches in IHL history, winning back-to-back Turner Cups and dominating the regular season in 1981-82 and 1982-83. The Goaldiggers went 104-44-14-2 in those seasons, easily winning the Huber Trophy as regular season champions. Off the ice, it was a different story. While the Goaldiggers were a hot ticket in the 1970s, the economic downturn of the 1980s saw attendance collapse at the Toledo Sports Arena. Even a powerhouse squad could not pack in the fans at the old barn, as the team was losing buckets of money.       General Manager (and former IHL commissioner) Bill Beagan and Head Coach Bill Inglis were back with the Goaldiggers to try and win their third Turner Cup in a row. Home games were played at 5,230-seat Toledo Sports Arena.       The Goaldiggers slipped to fourth place on the season, finishing with a so...

1995-96 Regular Season Whalers vs. London Knights      The Detroit Whalers were in their sixth season of operation in 1995-96. The team, called the Detroit Jr. Red Wings from 1992-95, was coming off an OHL championship and a berth in the Memorial Cup Finals. However, Jr. Red Wings were evicted from Joe Louis Arena. Owner Peter Karmanos had the team play in two home arenas for the 1995-96 season: 250-seat Oak Park Arena and the 20,804-seat Palace of Auburn Hills, while construction of a new arena in Plymouth was ongoing. The team was renamed "Detroit Whalers", after the NHL's Hartford Whalers, which Karmanos also owned. Peter DeBoer replaced Paul Maurice as general manager and head coach (who was hired as Whalers coach that offseason).       The Whalers finished in first place in the OHL's Western Division, with a 40-22-4 record. Their 84 points were just two points ahead of second place Sarnia and 3 ahead of third place Sault Ste. Marie, but 11 points ...

    Here's another program blog I have, this one features programs from Central Michigan University athletics. I am a 2007 graduate of Central Michigan, and I have programs from CMU dating back to 1940, when they were still the  Central State Teacher's College Bearcats.  Here's the link: Central Michigan Programs Fire Up Chips!

1975-76 Regular Season Racers vs. Denver Spurs      The Indianapolis Racers were in their second season of operation in the World Hockey Association in 1975-76. They were the first pro hockey franchise to call Indy home since the CHL's Capitols, who were forced to relocate to Cincinnati in 1963 after the Indianapolis Coliseum was seriously damaged by explosion, killing 68 people in the process. The Racers played their home games at 15,993-seat Market Square Arena, also home to the ABA's Indiana Pacers.  The team was lead by head coach Gerry Moore and General Manager James Browitt.      The Racers nearly doubled their win total from their inaugural season, finishing with a 35-39-6 record. Despite having a sub-.500 record, their 76 point earned the Racers first place in the mediocre Eastern Division, 1 point ahead of second place Cleveland, and just five ahead of last place Cincinnati. Attendance jumped to 8,778 per game, or 55% capacity.    ...

1966-67 Regular Season Red Wings vs. Montreal Canadiens      1966-67 was the end of an era for the National Hockey League: the end of the Original Six era. Heading into the season, the Detroit Red Wings were coming off their third appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals in four years. Unfortunately, all three appearances were losses, often in heartbreaking fashion. The Wings were actually up 3-2 in the 1964 Finals, but lost Game 6 in Detroit in overtime, then lost Game 7 in Toronto. Two years later, the Wings won the first two games in Montreal, then lost four in a row, including a controversial overtime loss in Detroit.       Sid Abel returned as Head Coach and General Manager, a dual post he had held since 1963. His Red Wings were a team stocked with veterans. led by the ageless Gordie Howe, and a young goaltender, Roger Crozier, who won the 1966 Conn Smythe Trophy. Home games were played at the 13,375-seat Olympia Stadium.      The Wings...

1969-70 Regular Season Flags vs. Muskegon Mohawks      1969-70 was the eighth season of operation for the Port Huron Flags in the International Hockey League.  The team had been relatively successful in those eight years of play, winning the 1964-65 Huber Trophy (regular season champions) and 1965-66 Turner Cup. Former Flags forward Frank St. Marseille graduated from the Flags to the NHL with the St. Louis Blues.       Off the ice, it was a little more challenging. The Flags played in the smallest city and rink in the league and often brought up the rear in attendance average. Because of this, the franchise was perennially in the red financially, which would only worsen as the years go on. Attendance for the 1969-70 season was about 1,100 per game, easily the lowest in the IHL.      The Flags were owned by John Wismer, owner of WHLS 1450 AM. Ted Garvin was Head Coach/General Manager. The Flags played their home games at 3,582-seat M...

Séries éliminatoires de la Coupe Avco de 1976-77 Nordiques contre Racers d'Indianapolis       The Quebec Nordiques were French Canada's team in the World Hockey Association, and an original member of that league. The team played its home games at the 10,012-seat  Colisée de Québec. Former Pittsburgh Penguins coach (and Detroit Red Wings forward) Marc Boileau was behind the bench for Quebec, while Maurice Filion was General Manager.       The Nordiques had developed into one of the strongest franchises in the often unstable WHA, both on and off the ice. The team was coming off a 50-27-4 record in 1975-76, while they were frequently in the top three in attendance. 1976-77 was more of the same, as the Nordiques finished first in the Eastern Division with a 47-31-3 record. Their 97 points were 14 ahead of second-place Cincinnati and nine behind league-best Houston. Attendance dipped slightly at Le  Colisée, as the Nordiques averaged 8,598 per gam...