List of ice hockey teams in Michigan
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The following is a list of ice hockey teams in Michigan, past and present. It includes the league(s) they play for, and championships won.
National Hockey League 1917–
| Team | City | Established | Stanley Cups[1] | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Red Wings | Detroit | 1926 | 11 | Also known as the Cougars (1926–30) and the Falcons (1930–32) |
World Hockey Association 1972–79
| Team | City | Existed | Avco Cups | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan Stags | Detroit | 1974–75 | 0 | Moved to Baltimore on January 18, 1975, and became the Baltimore Blades |
Minor professional
All American Hockey League 2008–2011
Current teams
| Team | City | Existed | League Titles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Creek Revolution | Battle Creek | 2008–2011 | 1 |
American Hockey League 1936–
| Team | City | Established | Calder Cups | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids Griffins | Grand Rapids | 2001 | 2 | Founded in 1996 in the IHL |
ECHL 1988-present
Also called East Coast Hockey League from 1988 to 2003
| Team | City | Established | Kelly Cups | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo Wings | Kalamazoo | 1999 | 0 | Established as the Madison Kodiaks |
Federal Prospects Hockey League 2010–present
Also called Federal Hockey League from 2010 to 2019.
| Team | City | Established | Commissioner's Cups | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Creek Rumble Bees | Battle Creek | 2019 | Joined the Federal Hockey League in 2019 | |
| Motor City Rockers | Fraser | 2022 | 0 | Joined the Federal Hockey League in 2022 |
| Port Huron Prowlers | Port Huron | 2015 | 1 | Joined the Federal Hockey League in 2015 |
| St. Clair Shores Fighting Saints | Saint Clair Shores | 2016–17 | 0 | Joined the Federal Hockey League in 2016, relocated to Kingsville, Ontario, in 2017 |
International Hockey League 2007–2010
Former teams
| Team | City | Established | Turner Cups | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flint Generals | Flint | 2007–2010 | 0 | |
| Kalamazoo Wings | Kalamazoo | 2007–2010 | 0 | |
| Port Huron IceHawks | Port Huron | 2007–2010 | 0 |
Mid-Atlantic Hockey League 2007–08
Current teams
| Team | City | Established | League Titles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Creek Revolution | Battle Creek | 2008 | 0 | |
| Chelsea Tornadoes | Chelsea | 2008 | 0 | |
| Detroit Dragons | Fraser | 2008 | 0 | |
| Trenton Warriors | Trenton | 2008 | 0 |
United Hockey League 1997–2007
| Team | City | Existed | Colonial Cups | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flint Generals | Flint | 1997–2007 | 1 | |
| Kalamazoo Wings | Kalamazoo | 2000–2007 | 1 | Played as the Madison Kodiaks in 1999–2000 |
| Motor City Mechanics | Fraser | 2004–2006 | 0 | Franchise suspended for 2006–2007 season |
| Muskegon Fury | Muskegon | 1997–2007 | 4 | |
| Port Huron Beacons | Port Huron | 2002–2005 | 0 | Became the Roanoke Valley Vipers in 2005 |
| Port Huron Border Cats | Port Huron | 1997–2002 | 0 | |
| Port Huron Flags | Port Huron | 2005–2007 | 0 | |
| Saginaw Gears | Saginaw | 1998–1999 | 0 | Became the Ohio Gears on December 20, 1999 |
| Saginaw LumberKings | Saginaw | 1997–1998 | 0 | Became the Saginaw Gears in 1998 |
Colonial Hockey League 1991–97
| Team | City | Existed | Colonial Cups | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Falcons | Fraser | 1992–1996 | 0 | |
| Flint Bulldogs | Flint | 1991–1993 | 0 | Became the Utica Bulldogs in 1993 |
| Flint Generals | Flint | 1993–1997 | 1 | |
| Muskegon Fury | Muskegon | 1992–1997 | 0 | |
| Michigan Falcons | Fraser | 1991–1992 | 0 | Became the Detroit Falcons in 1992 |
| Port Huron Border Cats | Port Huron | 1996–1997 | 0 | |
| Saginaw LumberKings | Saginaw | 1996–1997 | 0 | |
| Saginaw Wheels | Saginaw | 1994–1996 | 0 | Became the Saginaw LumberKings in 1996 |
International Hockey League 1945–2001
International Independent Hockey League 2003–04
| Team | City | Existed | League Titles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lansing Ice Nuts | Lansing | 2003–2004 | 0 | |
| Motor City Snipers | Detroit | 2003–2004 | 0 | |
| Northern Michigan Predators | Harbor Springs | 2003–2004 | 1 | |
| Soo City Mavericks | Sault Ste. Marie | 2003–2004 | 0 |
All-American Hockey League 1986–89
| Team | City | Existed | League Titles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downriver Stars | Trenton | 1986–1987 | 0 | |
| Jackson All-Americans | Jackson | 1986–1989 | 0 | |
| Lincoln Park Patriots | Lincoln Park | 1988–1989 | 0 | |
| Michigan Stars | Trenton | 1987–1988 | 0 | Suspended operations during the season |
| Port Huron Clippers | Port Huron | 1987–1988 | 0 |
Continental Hockey League 1972–86
| Team | City | Existed | League Titles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids Grizzlies | Grand Rapids | 1980–1982 | 0 |
United States Hockey League 1961–79
| Team | City | Existed | League Titles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calumet-Houghton Chiefs | Calumet | 1972–1973 | 0 | |
| Copper Country Chiefs | Calumet | 1974–1976 | ? | |
| Copper Country Islanders | Calumet | 1973–1974 | ? | |
| Grand Rapids Blades | Grand Rapids | 1976–1977 | ? | |
| Grand Rapids Bruins | Grand Rapids | 1968–1969 | ? | |
| Marquette Iron Rangers | Marquette | 1964–1976 | ? | |
| Traverse City Bays | Traverse City | 1975–1977 | ? |
Ohio State Hockey League 1946–48
| Team | City | Existed | League Titles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dearborn Monarchs | Dearborn | 1947–1948 | 0 | |
| Detroit Teamsters | Detroit | 1947–1948 | 0 |
Eastern Amateur Hockey League 1933–53
| Team | City | Existed | League Titles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids Rockets | Grand Rapids | 1949–1950 | 0 | Joined the International Hockey League in 1950 |
Early Leagues
International Hockey League 1929–36
| Team | City | Existed | F.G. "Teddy" Oke Trophies | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Olympics | Detroit | 1929–1936 | 2 |
Canadian Professional Hockey League 1926–30
| Team | City | Existed | F.G. "Teddy" Oke Trophies | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Olympics | Detroit | 1927–1929 | 0 | Joined the International Hockey League in 1929 |
American Hockey Association 1926–1942
| Team | City | Existed | Harry F. Sinclair Trophies | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Greyhounds | Detroit | 1926–1927 | 0 | Withdrew after 10 games |
International Professional Hockey League 1904–07
| Team | City | Existed | League Titles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Soo Indians | Sault Ste. Marie | 1904–1907 | 0 | |
| Calumet Miners | Calumet | 1904–1907 | 1 | |
| Portage Lakes Lakers | Houghton | 1904–1907 | 2 |
College
Junior
Ontario Hockey League 1980–present
Current teams
| Team | City | Established | J. Ross Robertson Cups | Memorial Cups | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flint Firebirds | Flint | 2015 | 2 | 0 | Also known as the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors (1990–92), Detroit Junior Red Wings (1992–95), Detroit Whalers (1995–97), and Plymouth Whalers |
| Saginaw Spirit | Saginaw | 2002 | 0 | 1[2] | Was previously the North Bay Centennials |
Muskegon lumberjacks
Junior A Tier II Hockey Leagues
North American Hockey League 1975–
The NAHL was known as the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League from 1975–1984.[3]
Former teams
Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League 1978–
Current teams
| Team | City | Established | Season titles | Playoff titles | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soo Eagles | Sault Ste. Marie | 2008–2012, 2015–present | 1 | 0 | 0 | joined NAHL from 2012–15, rejoined NOJHL |
Former teams
| Team | City | Established | League titles | Dudley Hewitt Cups | Royal Bank Cups | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soo Indians | Sault Ste. Marie | 2006–2008 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Became Soo Eagles in 2008 |
| Northern Michigan Black Bears | Sault Ste. Marie | 2003–2006 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Became Soo Indians in 2006 |
| Soo Michigan Realtors | Sault Ste. Marie | 1962–1964 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Continental Elite Hockey League 2001–2004
| Team | City | Established | League titles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownstown Bombers | Brownstown | ? | 0 | |
| Detroit Belle Tire Lightning | Fraser | ? | 1 | |
| Michigan Stars | Trenton | ? | 0 | |
| Traverse City Enforcers | Traverse City | 2001–2004 | 0 |
Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League 1970–1976
| Team | City | Established | League titles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Jr. Red Wings | Detroit | 1970–75 | 1 | |
| Michigan Americans | Utica | 1973–74 | 0 |
Wolverine Junior Hockey League 1972–1975
The Wolverine Junior Hockey League and the Michigan Junior Hockey League combined in 1975 to form the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League which later became the North American Hockey League. [4]
| Team | City | Existed | Season titles | Playoff titles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flint | Flint | 1973-197? | ? | ? | |
| Kalamazoo | Kalamazoo | 1973-197? | 0 | 0 | |
| Livonia | Livonia | 1973-197? | 0 | 0 | |
| Oak Park | Oak Park | 1972-197? | ? | ? | |
| Southfield Chiefs | Southfield | 1972–1975 | 0 | 0 | Oak Park and Southfield started the annual contest for the Purple Paddle (a goalie stick painted purple) in 1972–73. It was awarded to the winner of the season series by the mayors of each city. The same purple paddle was continued into the 1990s by the successors of these two teams who were eventually in the North American Hockey League. |
| Trenton | Trenton | 1972–1973 | 0 | 0 |
Michigan Junior Hockey League 197?–1975
| Team | City | Existed | Season titles | Playoff titles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterford Lakers | Waterford | 1972–1975 | ? | ? | |
| Plymouth Pilgrims | Plymouth, Michigan | 1972–1974 | ? | ? | |
| Dearborn Fabricating | Dearborn | ? | ? | ? | |
| St. Clair Shores Saints | St. Clair Shores, MI | 1970-? | ? | ? | |
| Westland Jays | Westland, MI | 1972–1975 | ? | ? | |
Junior A Tier III Hockey Leagues
Central States Hockey League
Current Teams
| Team | City | Established | Regular season titles | Hurster Cups | USA Hockey Silver Cups | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flint Junior Generals | Flint | 1999 | ? | ? | ? | |
| Grand Rapids Junior Owls | Byron Center | 1999 | ? | ? | ? | |
| Metro Jets | Waterford | 1989 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Motor City Chiefs | Dearborn Heights | 1997? | ? | ? | ? |
Former Teams
| Team | City | Existed | Regular season titles | Hurster Cups | USA Hockey Silver Cups | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compuware | ? | 1997?–1998 | ? | ? | ? | |
| Grand Rapids Junior Grizzlies | Byron Center | 1998–1999 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Wayne Wheelers | Wayne | 1998–1999 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Wayne Wheels | Wayne | 1999–2001? | ? | ? | ? |
Western Junior B Hockey League
| Team | City | Established | League titles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Huron Flags | Port Huron | ? | 0 |