Pittsburgh Hornets
The Pittsburgh Hornets were not the city's first hockey club, but they were undoubtedly the most influential until the NHL relocated in the autumn of 1967. After leaving the Detroit Olympics, the Hornets joined the American Hockey League in 1936. Through the 1955-56 season, the Hornets were consistently competitive in the AHL. They made the playoffs in 14 of their 20 seasons and were in six Finals, eventually capturing the Calder Cup in 1952 and 1955. During this period, they used jerseys with a 'P' emblem and often wore red and white outfits to match their NHL affiliate in Detroit. By the 1950s, their outfits had become black and gold, as did those of many other Pittsburgh clubs. The Hornets would fold after the 1955-56 season when their home arena, Duquesne Gardens, was demolished. The Gardens was originally opened in 1890 and was transformed into an ice rink in 1895.
The Hornets resumed play in 1961-62 once the Civic Arena was finished. During the 1960s, the team's emblem featured an enraged Hornet brandishing a hockey stick. The Hornets struggled in their first year after being re-established, winning only 10 games. They even established an AHL record with a 23-game losing run, opening the season 0-22-1. At the end of the year, the Hornets were sold to Bruce Norris, owner of the Detroit Red Wings, and the team was allowed to function as a Detroit farm team with a larger talent pool. The Hornets donned red and white again at this point, with an interesting blue and gold appearance for away games. The blue and gold were eventually phased out since they were difficult to see on television.
Two years later, in their third season since resuming play, the Hornets made the playoffs and won 40 games. By 1966, the NHL had granted Pittsburgh an expansion franchise, thanks in no little part to the Hornets' success. However, this meant that the Hornets had to leave. In storybook fashion, the Hornets would win their third Calder Cup in their last season, 1966-67, and at the end of the season the franchise came to an end. They swept Rochester in four games in the Finals, with long-time Maple Leaf Billy Harris scoring the game-winning goal.
The Hornets resumed play in 1961-62 once the Civic Arena was finished. During the 1960s, the team's emblem featured an enraged Hornet brandishing a hockey stick. The Hornets struggled in their first year after being re-established, winning only 10 games. They even established an AHL record with a 23-game losing run, opening the season 0-22-1. At the end of the year, the Hornets were sold to Bruce Norris, owner of the Detroit Red Wings, and the team was allowed to function as a Detroit farm team with a larger talent pool. The Hornets donned red and white again at this point, with an interesting blue and gold appearance for away games. The blue and gold were eventually phased out since they were difficult to see on television.
Two years later, in their third season since resuming play, the Hornets made the playoffs and won 40 games. By 1966, the NHL had granted Pittsburgh an expansion franchise, thanks in no little part to the Hornets' success. However, this meant that the Hornets had to leave. In storybook fashion, the Hornets would win their third Calder Cup in their last season, 1966-67, and at the end of the season the franchise came to an end. They swept Rochester in four games in the Finals, with long-time Maple Leaf Billy Harris scoring the game-winning goal.
