Windsor Spitfires (1946–1953)
Canadian junior ice hockey team (1946–1953)
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The Windsor Spitfires were a Canadian junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) from 1946 to 1953. The team was based in Windsor, Ontario. The Spitfires played home games at the Windsor Arena built in 1924, and twice played in the J. Ross Robertson Cup final.
| Windsor Spitfires | |
|---|---|
| City | Windsor, Ontario |
| League | Ontario Hockey Association |
| Operated | 1946–1953 |
| Home arena | Windsor Arena |
| Franchise history | |
| 1946–1953 | Windsor Spitfires |
| 1953–1960 | Hamilton Tiger Cubs |
| 1960–1974 | Hamilton Red Wings |
| 1974–1978 | Hamilton/St. Catharines Fincups |
| 1978–1984 | Brantford Alexanders |
| 1984–1988 | Hamilton Steelhawks |
| 1988–1996 | Niagara Falls Thunder |
| 1996–present | Erie Otters |
History
The Windsor Spitfires were founded in 1946 as part of a four-year plan enacted by Lloyd Pollock, the secretary-treasurer of the Windsor City Hockey League. He established a junior league for the 1942–43 season in Windsor, competing at the Junior B-level in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA). The ultimate goal of Junior A-level team was realized in 1946, for the 1946–47 OHA season.[1] Pollock and business partner Jack Dent obtained franchise rights from the OHA for C$500, and purchased uniform for another $100.[2]
The Spitfires lost its first game 15–0 to the Toronto St. Michael's Majors, but attracted a crowd of 4,062 spectators at the Windsor Arena.[1] Pollock served as the team's general manager, and worked with the Detroit Red Wings to develop players.[3] Pollock convinced the Detroit Red Wings to relocate prospect players from the Galt Red Wings to Windsor in 1947.[2]
The Spitfires were coached by Jimmy Skinner from 1947 to 1953.[4] He led the Spitfires to the J. Ross Robertson Cup final during the 1947–48 OHA season,[5] and 1949–50 OHA season.[6] The team produced several future star players for the Red Wings, including Glenn Hall, Marcel Pronovost, Earl Reibel, Johnny Wilson, and Glen Skov.[1]
In 1953, the Spitfires were sold and relocated becoming the Hamilton Tiger Cubs.[7]
Players
Award winners
- 1948–49: Bert Giesebrecht, Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (OHA scoring champion)[8]
- 1949–50: Earl Reibel, Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy (OHA scoring champion)[9]
- 1950–51: Glenn Hall, Red Tilson Trophy (OHA most outstanding player)[10]
Notable alumni
Notable Spitfires who played in the National Hockey League or World Hockey Association:[11]
Season-by-season results
Regular season and playoffs results:[4]
Legend: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
| Memorial Cup champions | OHA champions | OHA finalists |
| Season | Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | W | L | T | Pts | Pct | GF | GA | Finish | ||
| 1946–47 | 36 | 10 | 24 | 2 | 22 | 0.306 | 75 | 125 | 7th OHA | Did not qualify |
| 1947–48 | 36 | 29 | 6 | 1 | 59 | 0.819 | 231 | 124 | 1st OHA | Won semifinal (Oshawa Generals) 4–2[17] Lost OHA final (Barrie Flyers) 4–2[5] |
| 1948–49 | 48 | 34 | 13 | 1 | 69 | 0.719 | 272 | 184 | 1st OHA | Lost semifinal (Barrie Flyers) 4–0[18] |
| 1949–50 | 48 | 34 | 13 | 1 | 69 | 0.719 | 307 | 169 | 2nd OHA | Won semifinal (Toronto Marlboros) 4–1[19] Lost OHA final (Guelph Biltmores) 4–2[6] |
| 1950–51 | 54 | 32 | 18 | 4 | 68 | 0.630 | 209 | 167 | 4th OHA | Won quarterfinal (Oshawa Generals) 3–2[20] Lost semifinal (Barrie Flyers) 3–0[21] |
| 1951–52 | 54 | 9 | 42 | 3 | 21 | 0.194 | 172 | 355 | 9th OHA | Did not qualify |
| 1952–53 | 56 | 16 | 35 | 5 | 37 | 0.330 | 127 | 186 | 8th OHA | Did not qualify |