Columbus Checkers

The Checkers were the first professional team in the history of Columbus, Ohio and had a true crest for a logo. They started play in 1966-67 in the IHL the Ohio State Fairgrounds Coliseum and struggled to a last place finish in year one. They would get over .500 in year two with a 32-30-10 record in 72 games and make the playoffs. But that's about the best the Checkers would do. They would have a worse record in year three, but still make the playoffs, before an even worse showing in their fourth season. The Checkers would fold after four years due to poor attendance, but they did make an important contribution by introducing hockey to Columbus, which would become a big league market in 1997.