Columbus Owls
Shop retro Columbus Owls tees, hoodies, jerseys and hats. The Owls topped the IHL in penalty minutes in their 1973 debut season and made the playoffs in three of their four years, even when the Fairgrounds sent them on the road for postseason games. Celebrate Columbus hockey of the 1970s by browsing all of our Owls gear, then read the team history below. Vintage Ice Hockey Canada is a small business that keeps the designs and history of forgotten hockey clubs alive.
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Columbus Owls History
The Columbus Owls™ debuted in the IHL in 1973-74, changing their name from the Columbus Golden Seals when their professional affiliation shifted from the Golden Seals to the Blues and their ownership shifted as well. The Owls were one of the fiercest teams in the IHL during their debut season, topping the league in penalty minutes. They made the playoffs in three of their four years in the IHL, but had to play those games on the road or at Troy, Ohio, since the Fairgrounds — their home arena — was scheduled for other events.
The Owls relocated to Dayton's Hara Venue for the 1977-78 season because attendance in Columbus was low and management desired an arena that could host the team in the playoffs. Dayton was occupied by the Dayton Owls after the Dayton Gems dissolved during the summer. But, like the Gems, the Owls struggled with attendance in the 70s and were forced to relocate to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they became the Grand Rapids Owls.
Despite all of this, the Grand Rapids Owls™ made it to the IHL championships in 1978-79. They were defeated in seven games by the Kalamazoo Wings. The Owls went out of business in 1980 after a disappointing performance the following season. Years later, the Owls would be re-born as a junior team.
