Windsor Spitfires (1946–53)

The Windsor Spitfires were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1946 to 1953. The team was based in Windsor, Ontario. The current Windsor Spitfires, founded in 1971, are the namesake of these Spitfires. The Spitfires played home games at the Windsor Arena, built in 1924.

Windsor Spitfires
CityWindsor, Ontario
LeagueOntario Hockey Association
Operated1946 (1946)–53
Home arenaWindsor Arena
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

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 team 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, and reached the J. Ross Robertson Cup final during the 1947–48 OHA season.[4] 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 to Hamilton to create the Hamilton Tiger Cubs.[5] The Spitfires were replaced by an OHA Senior A Hockey League team called the Windsor Bulldogs. The Bulldogs won the OHA Senior A championship in 1962 and 1963 as well as the Allan Cup in 1963. They turned professional for one season after winning the Allan Cup, then folded.

In 1971, the Windsor Spitfires were reformed in the Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League.[5] In 1975, they were accepted into the OHA.[5]

Championships

J. Ross Robertson Cup

  • 1948 Finalist vs. Barrie Flyers
  • 1950 Finalist vs. Guelph Biltmores

Players
Award winners
NHL alumni

Season-by-season results
SeasonGamesWonLostTiedPointsPct %Goals
for		Goals
against		Standing
1946–473610242220.306751257th OHA
1947–48362961590.8192311241st OHA
1948–494834131690.7192721841st OHA
1949–504834131690.7193071692nd OHA
1950–515432184680.6302091674th OHA
1951–52549423210.1941723559th OHA
1952–535616355370.3301271868th OHA
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See also

References
  1. "Lloyd Pollock". Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  2. "Pollock was legend in local hockey". Windsor Star. Windsor, Ontario. September 10, 1993. p. B3.
  3. Pronovost, Marcel; Duff, Bob (2012). Marcel Pronovost: A Life in Hockey. Canada: Biblioasis. p. 28. ISBN 978-1-926845-98-2 – via Google Books.
  4. "Windsor Spitfires hockey team [1946–1953 OHL] statistics and history". hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2019-06-27.
  5. Simcoe Reformer. February 11, 1975, Page 4.
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