Flint Spirits
The Flint Spirits joined the IHL for the 1985-86 season, after the departure of the Flint Generals to Saginaw in the summer of 1985. The Spirits were formed in August in response to the departure of the Generals, leaving them with only around two months to put together a squad.
With so little time to get ready, the 1985-86 season didn't go well on or off the ice. Attendance was low, as the squad only won 16 games in 82 games. The organization appeared to be on the verge of bankruptcy midway through the season, but was salvaged by a group of local investors. They survived the first season and continued for four more.
The Spirits hired Rick Dudley as coach for their second season. He had just won two ACHL titles with the Carolina Thunderbirds and would eventually go to the NHL. The Spirits won 42 games in their second season, with future NHLer Hubie McDonough leading the way. They'd even make it to the playoffs that year.
The Spirits had their greatest season in year three, with future major leaguer John Cullen leading the club with 157 points. Don Waddell, a future NHL general manager, was also a star, with 75 points as a defenseman. The Spirits would go to the IHL Finals before falling to Salt Lake in six games.
After two more seasons in Flint, the Spirits were sold as part of the minor hockey world's musical chairs. When the Fort Wayne Comets relocated to Albany, NY, to become the Albany Choppers, the long-time hockey city of Fort Wayne was left without a club. As a result, a group of Indiana investors would buy the Spirits and relocate them to Fort Wayne to become the Komets.
Peter Laviolette, Mike Richter, and Val James are among famous Spirits alumni.
With so little time to get ready, the 1985-86 season didn't go well on or off the ice. Attendance was low, as the squad only won 16 games in 82 games. The organization appeared to be on the verge of bankruptcy midway through the season, but was salvaged by a group of local investors. They survived the first season and continued for four more.
The Spirits hired Rick Dudley as coach for their second season. He had just won two ACHL titles with the Carolina Thunderbirds and would eventually go to the NHL. The Spirits won 42 games in their second season, with future NHLer Hubie McDonough leading the way. They'd even make it to the playoffs that year.
The Spirits had their greatest season in year three, with future major leaguer John Cullen leading the club with 157 points. Don Waddell, a future NHL general manager, was also a star, with 75 points as a defenseman. The Spirits would go to the IHL Finals before falling to Salt Lake in six games.
After two more seasons in Flint, the Spirits were sold as part of the minor hockey world's musical chairs. When the Fort Wayne Comets relocated to Albany, NY, to become the Albany Choppers, the long-time hockey city of Fort Wayne was left without a club. As a result, a group of Indiana investors would buy the Spirits and relocate them to Fort Wayne to become the Komets.
Peter Laviolette, Mike Richter, and Val James are among famous Spirits alumni.
