Hamilton Red Wings

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Hamilton Red Wings
CityHamilton, Ontario
LeagueOntario Hockey Association
Operated1960 (1960)-74
Home arenaBarton Street Arena
Parent club(s)Detroit Red Wings
(1960-67)
Franchise history
1946–1953Windsor Spitfires
1953–1960Hamilton Tiger Cubs
1960–1974Hamilton Red Wings
1974–1978Hamilton/St. Catharines Fincups
1978–1984Brantford Alexanders
1984–1988Hamilton Steelhawks
1988–1996Niagara Falls Thunder
1996–presentErie Otters
Championships
Playoff championships1962 Memorial Cup Champions

The Hamilton Red Wings were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1960 to 1974. The team was based in Hamilton, Ontario, at the Barton Street Arena, also known as the Hamilton Forum.[1]

History[edit]

The Hamilton Tiger Cubs were renamed in 1960 becoming the Hamilton Red Wings as they wanted to gain increased ticket sales to emphasize the affiliation with the parent Detroit Red Wings which dated back to 1953. The team played for 14 seasons before being renamed the Hamilton Fincups as they had an ownership change as well as the partnership with Detroit was terminated in the late 60's.[citation needed]

The Red Wings of 1962 were coached by Eddie Bush, and managed by Jimmy Skinner (1954-55 Stanley Cup Champion Coach) . The team finished second overall in the OHA standings, then lost only 1 game in the post-season run to the Memorial Cup.[citation needed] In the playoffs Hamilton defeated the St. Catharines Teepees, Niagara Falls Flyers, and the Metro Jr. A. champs Toronto St. Michael's Majors 4 games to 1, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup.[2] The Red Wings then swept the series against the Quebec Citadelles for the George Richardson Memorial Trophy to win the Eastern Canadian Championship.[citation needed]

The Red Wings would play the Western Canadian champion Edmonton Oil Kings for the Memorial Cup. The first game of the 1962 Memorial Cup was played on home ice at the Barton Street Arena which Hamilton won 5-2. The next three games were played at the Guelph Memorial Gardens. Hamilton won game two 4-2. Edmonton won game three 5-3. Hamilton shutout Edmonton 3-0 in game four. The fifth and deciding game was played in the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. The Red Wings defeated the Oil Kings 7-4 to win the series and the Memorial Cup, 4 games to 1.[citation needed]

Five years later the Red Wings made it to the OHA finals again in 1967, but were swept 4 games to 0 by the Toronto Marlboros.[2]

Once the sponsorship money from the Detroit Red Wings ended at the conclusion of the 1966-67 season the franchise went in a free for all and owner Nick Durbano who had cash flow issues and little interest to maintain a competitive team. Durbano finally found a buyer in the summer of 1974.[citation needed]

Players[edit]

The two most famous Hamilton Red Wings alumni are "Little M" Pete Mahovlich, and 1972 Summit Series hero Paul Henderson. Many Hamilton Red Wings went on to play for the Detroit NHL team.

Award winners

NHL alumni[edit]

Yearly results[edit]

Regular season
Season Games Won Lost Tied Points Pct % Goals
for
Goals
against
Standing
1960-61 48 22 19 7 51 0.531 192 148 3rd OHA
1961-62 50 32 12 6 70 0.700 220 162 2nd OHA
1962-63 50 21 21 8 50 0.500 202 184 4th OHA
1963-64 56 11 35 10 32 0.286 193 285 7th OHA
1964-65 56 14 31 11 39 0.348 220 287 8th OHA
1965-66 48 22 20 6 50 0.521 203 217 5th OHA
1966-67 48 22 21 5 49 0.510 172 161 4th OHA
1967-68 54 31 13 10 72 0.667 253 162 3rd OHA
1968-69 54 27 24 3 57 0.528 207 190 5th OHA
1969-70 54 16 26 12 44 0.407 207 238 9th OHA
1970-71 62 22 35 5 49 0.395 224 328 7th OHA
1971-72 63 11 46 6 28 0.222 200 334 10th OHA
1972-73 63 15 41 7 37 0.294 244 374 9th OHA
1973-74 70 16 49 5 37 0.264 221 376 11th OHA
Playoffs
  • 1960-61 Defeated Peterborough Petes 8 points to 2 in quarter-finals.
    Lost to St. Michael's Majors 9 points to 5 in semi-finals.
  • 1961-62 Defeated St. Catharines Teepees 9 points to 3 in OHA semi-finals.
    Defeated Niagara Falls Flyers 8 points to 0 in OHA finals.
    Defeated St. Michael's Majors 8 points to 2 in all-Ontario finals. OHA CHAMPIONS
    Defeated Quebec Citadelles in Richardson Trophy playoffs.
    Defeated Edmonton Oil Kings 8 points to 2 in Memorial Cup finals. MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS
  • 1962-63 Lost to Niagara Falls Flyers 8 points to 2 in OHA semi-finals.
  • 1963-64 Out of playoffs.
  • 1964-65 Out of playoffs.
  • 1965-66 Lost to Montreal Junior Canadiens 8 points to 0 in quarter-finals.
  • 1966-67 Defeated Peterborough Petes 8 points to 4 in quarter-finals.
    Defeated Niagara Falls Flyers 8 points to 6 in semi-finals.
    Lost to Toronto Marlboros 8 points to 0 in finals.
  • 1967-68 Defeated London Knights 8 points to 2 in quarter-finals.
    Lost to Kitchener Rangers 8 points to 4 in semi-finals.
  • 1968-69 Lost to Montreal Junior Canadiens 8 points to 0 in quarter-finals.
  • 1969-70 Out of playoffs.
  • 1970-71 Lost to Ottawa 67's 9 points to 5 in quarter-finals.
  • 1971-72 Out of playoffs.
  • 1972-73 Out of playoffs.
  • 1973-74 Out of playoffs.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Jordan, Kevin (2010-01-08). "Hamilton Forum". The OHL Arena & Travel Guide. Retrieved 2017-12-31.
  2. ^ a b Annual Report: Constitution, Regulations and Rules of Competition. Cambridge, Ontario: Ontario Hockey Association. 2006. p. W-13.