Chicago Americans

The Chicago Americans only played in the AHA for one season, 1926-27, and it was a turbulent one and the first time Chicago had pro hockey. The Americans, then known as the Cardinals, began play in the AHA and faced immediate and direct rivalry from the NHL's newest club, also based in Chicago and making its debut the same season. Teams and leagues competed for players, and engaged in a ticketing price war. In the end, the Cardinals/Americans were defeated quickly and decisively, dissolving after only one season. The Cardinals were sold at the end of the season and tried a rebranding as the Americans. They only played a few games as the Americans before going out of business. On the other hand, the other Windy City franchise they competed with is still going strong nearly 100 years later.