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List of ice hockey teams in Michigan

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The following is a list of ice hockey teams in Michigan, past and present. It includes the league(s) they play for, and championships won.

Major professional

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National Hockey League 1917–

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Team City Established Stanley Cups[1] Notes
Detroit Red Wings Detroit 1926 11 Also known as the Cougars (1926–30) and the Falcons (1930–32)

World Hockey Association 1972–79

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Team City Existed Avco Cups Notes
Michigan Stags Detroit 1974–75 0 Moved to Baltimore on January 18, 1975, and became the Baltimore Blades

Minor professional

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All American Hockey League 2008–2011

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Current teams

Team City Existed League Titles Notes
Battle Creek Revolution Battle Creek 2008–2011 1

American Hockey League 1936–

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Team City Established Calder Cups Notes
Grand Rapids Griffins Grand Rapids 2001 2 Founded in 1996 in the IHL

Federal Prospects Hockey League 2010–present

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Also called Federal Hockey League from 2010 to 2019.

Team City Established Commissioner's Cups Notes
Battle Creek Rumble Bees Battle Creek 2019 Joined the Federal Hockey League in 2019
Motor City Rockers Fraser 2022 0 Joined the Federal Hockey League in 2022
Port Huron Prowlers Port Huron 2015 1 Joined the Federal Hockey League in 2015
St. Clair Shores Fighting Saints Saint Clair Shores 2016–17 0 Joined the Federal Hockey League in 2016, relocated to Kingsville, Ontario, in 2017

International Hockey League 2007–2010

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Former teams

Team City Established Turner Cups Notes
Flint Generals Flint 2007–2010 0
Kalamazoo Wings Kalamazoo 2007–2010 0
Port Huron IceHawks Port Huron 2007–2010 0

Mid-Atlantic Hockey League 2007–08

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Current teams

Team City Established League Titles Notes
Battle Creek Revolution Battle Creek 2008 0
Chelsea Tornadoes Chelsea 2008 0
Detroit Dragons Fraser 2008 0
Trenton Warriors Trenton 2008 0

United Hockey League 1997–2007

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Team City Existed Colonial Cups Notes
Flint Generals Flint 1997–2007 1
Kalamazoo Wings Kalamazoo 2000–2007 1 Played as the Madison Kodiaks in 1999–2000
Motor City Mechanics Fraser 2004–2006 0 Franchise suspended for 2006–2007 season
Muskegon Fury Muskegon 1997–2007 4
Port Huron Beacons Port Huron 2002–2005 0 Became the Roanoke Valley Vipers in 2005
Port Huron Border Cats Port Huron 1997–2002 0
Port Huron Flags Port Huron 2005–2007 0
Saginaw Gears Saginaw 1998–1999 0 Became the Ohio Gears on December 20, 1999
Saginaw LumberKings Saginaw 1997–1998 0 Became the Saginaw Gears in 1998

Colonial Hockey League 1991–97

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Team City Existed Colonial Cups Notes
Detroit Falcons Fraser 1992–1996 0
Flint Bulldogs Flint 1991–1993 0 Became the Utica Bulldogs in 1993
Flint Generals Flint 1993–1997 1
Muskegon Fury Muskegon 1992–1997 0
Michigan Falcons Fraser 1991–1992 0 Became the Detroit Falcons in 1992
Port Huron Border Cats Port Huron 1996–1997 0
Saginaw LumberKings Saginaw 1996–1997 0
Saginaw Wheels Saginaw 1994–1996 0 Became the Saginaw LumberKings in 1996

International Hockey League 1945–2001

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Team City Existed Turner Cups Notes
Detroit Auto Club Detroit 1945–1951 1
Detroit Bright's Goodyears Detroit 1945–1949 0
Detroit Hettche Detroit 1949–1952 0
Detroit Jerry Lynch Detroit 1948–1949 0
Detroit Metal Mouldings Detroit 1946–1948 0
Detroit Vipers Auburn Hills 1994–2001 1
Flint Generals Flint 1969–1985 1 Became the Flint Spirits in 1985
Flint Spirits Flint 1985–1990 0
Grand Rapids Griffins Grand Rapids 1996–2001 0 Joined the American Hockey League in 2001
Grand Rapids Owls Grand Rapids 1977–1980 0
Grand Rapids Rockets Grand Rapids 1950–1956 0
Kalamazoo Wings Kalamazoo 1974–1995 2 Became the Michigan K-Wings in 1995
Lansing Lancers Lansing 1974–1975 0 Suspended operations January 16, 1975 after 41 games
Michigan K-Wings Kalamazoo 1995–2000 0
Muskegon Lumberjacks Muskegon 1984–1992 2 Became the Cleveland Lumberjacks in 1992
Muskegon Mohawks Muskegon 1965–1984 1 Became the Muskegon Lumberjacks in 1984
Muskegon Zephyrs Muskegon 1960–1965 1 Became the Muskegon Mohawks in 1965
Port Huron Flags Port Huron 1962–1971 2 Became the Port Huron Wings in 1974
Port Huron Flags Port Huron 1974–1981 0
Port Huron Wings Port Huron 1971–1974 1 Became the Port Huron Flags in 1974
Saginaw Gears Saginaw 1972–1983 2
Saginaw Generals Saginaw 1985–1987 0
Saginaw Hawks Saginaw 1987–1989 0

International Independent Hockey League 2003–04

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Team City Existed League Titles Notes
Lansing Ice Nuts Lansing 2003–2004 0
Motor City Snipers Detroit 2003–2004 0
Northern Michigan Predators Harbor Springs 2003–2004 1
Soo City Mavericks Sault Ste. Marie 2003–2004 0

All-American Hockey League 1986–89

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Team City Existed League Titles Notes
Downriver Stars Trenton 1986–1987 0
Jackson All-Americans Jackson 1986–1989 0
Lincoln Park Patriots Lincoln Park 1988–1989 0
Michigan Stars Trenton 1987–1988 0 Suspended operations during the season
Port Huron Clippers Port Huron 1987–1988 0

Continental Hockey League 1972–86

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Team City Existed League Titles Notes
Grand Rapids Grizzlies Grand Rapids 1980–1982 0

United States Hockey League 1961–79

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Team City Existed League Titles Notes
Calumet-Houghton Chiefs Calumet 1972–1973 0
Copper Country Chiefs Calumet 1974–1976 ?
Copper Country Islanders Calumet 1973–1974 ?
Grand Rapids Blades Grand Rapids 1976–1977 ?
Grand Rapids Bruins Grand Rapids 1968–1969 ?
Marquette Iron Rangers Marquette 1964–1976 ?
Traverse City Bays Traverse City 1975–1977 ?

Ohio State Hockey League 1946–48

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Team City Existed League Titles Notes
Dearborn Monarchs Dearborn 1947–1948 0
Detroit Teamsters Detroit 1947–1948 0

Eastern Amateur Hockey League 1933–53

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Team City Existed League Titles Notes
Grand Rapids Rockets Grand Rapids 1949–1950 0 Joined the International Hockey League in 1950

Early Leagues

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International Hockey League 1929–36

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Team City Existed F.G. "Teddy" Oke Trophies Notes
Detroit Olympics Detroit 1929–1936 2

Canadian Professional Hockey League 1926–30

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Team City Existed F.G. "Teddy" Oke Trophies Notes
Detroit Olympics Detroit 1927–1929 0 Joined the International Hockey League in 1929

American Hockey Association 1926–1942

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Team City Existed Harry F. Sinclair Trophies Notes
Detroit Greyhounds Detroit 1926–1927 0 Withdrew after 10 games

International Professional Hockey League 1904–07

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Team City Existed League Titles Notes
American Soo Indians Sault Ste. Marie 1904–1907 0
Calumet Miners Calumet 1904–1907 1
Portage Lakes Lakers Houghton 1904–1907 2

College

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NCAA Division I

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Big Ten Conference 2013–present

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The Big Ten started its men's hockey league in 2013.

Team City Big Ten tenure[a] Regular-season titles Tournament titles NCAA Titles (in Big Ten) Notes
Michigan Wolverines Ann Arbor 2013–present 1 0 9 (0)
Michigan State Spartans East Lansing 2013–present 0 0 3 (0)
  1. ^ Refers to tenure in Big Ten hockey.

Central Collegiate Hockey Association 1971–2013, 2021–present

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The original CCHA, a casualty of the conference realignment brought on by the formation of the Big Ten hockey league, disbanded in 2013. The league was revived in 2020, with play starting in 2021–22, by seven members of the men's Western Collegiate Hockey Association, four of which had played in the final season of the original CCHA.

Current teams
Team City CCHA tenure Regular season titles Mason Cups NCAA Titles (in CCHA) Notes
Ferris State Bulldogs Big Rapids 1976–2013, 2021–present 1 0 0 (0) Played in the WCHA during the CCHA's hiatus.
Lake Superior State Lakers Sault Ste. Marie 1972–2013, 2021–present 4 4 3 (3) Played in the WCHA during the CCHA's hiatus.
Michigan Tech Huskies Houghton 1981–1984, 2021–present 0 0 3 (0) Played in the WCHA through 1980–81; returned to the WCHA in 1984–85 and played there until the revival of the CCHA.
Northern Michigan Wildcats Marquette 1977–1984, 1997–2013, 2021–present 2 2 1 (0) Played in the WCHA from 1984–1997 and again during the CCHA's hiatus.
Former teams
Team City CCHA tenure Regular season titles Mason Cups NCAA Titles (in CCHA) Notes
Michigan Wolverines Ann Arbor 1981–2013 8 7 9 (2) Played in WCHA 1951–81; now plays in its full-time home of the Big Ten.
Michigan State Spartans East Lansing 1981–2013 7 11 3 (2) Played in WCHA 1951–81; now plays in its full-time home of the Big Ten.
Western Michigan Broncos Kalamazoo 1975–2013 0 1 0 Now plays in the NCHC.

College Hockey America 1999–2008 (men), 2002–present (women)

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CHA was founded as a men-only league. It added women's hockey in 2002 and remains in operation today as a women-only league.

Men
Team City CHA tenure Peters Cup McLeod Trophy NCAA Titles Notes
Wayne State Warriors Detroit 1999–2008 1 3 0 Wayne State dropped men's hockey as a varsity sport after the 2007–08 season.
Women
Team City CHA tenure Regular-season titles Tournament titles NCAA titles Notes
Wayne State Warriors Detroit 2002–2011 1 0 0 Wayne State dropped women's hockey as a varsity sport after the 2010–11 season.

National Collegiate Hockey Conference 2013–present

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The NCHC, formed during the early-2010s Division I hockey conference realignment brought on by the formation of the Big Ten hockey league, began play in 2013. It has been a men-only league throughout its history.

Team City NCHC tenure Regular-season titles Tournament titles NCAA Titles (in NCHC) Notes
Western Michigan Broncos Kalamazoo 2013–present 0 0 0 (0)

Western Collegiate Hockey Association 1951–2021

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The WCHA was formed 30 years before the NCAA began sponsoring women's sports, and did not establish a women's league until 1999. No Michigan school has ever been a member of the women's WCHA. In late 2019, seven of the 10 then-current men's members announced they would leave the WCHA after the 2020–21 season; shortly thereafter, they announced that they would form a revived CCHA. With the departure of these seven schools, plus an eighth WCHA men's member announcing that it would drop men's hockey after 2020–21, the men's WCHA is all but certain to fold. It will remain in operation as a women-only league.

Former teams
Team City WCHA tenure MacNaughton Cups Broadmoor Trophies NCAA Titles (in WCHA) Notes
Michigan Wolverines Ann Arbor 1951–1981 ? ? 9 (7)
Michigan State Spartans East Lansing 1951–1981 ? ? 2
Michigan Tech Huskies Houghton 1951–1981, 1984–2021 6 9 3 (3) Played in CCHA from 1981–1984; returned to the revived CCHA in 2021.
Northern Michigan Wildcats Marquette 1984–1997 ?? ? 1 (1)

NCAA Division III

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Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association 1998–

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Team City Established Conference titles NCAA Titles Notes
Adrian Bulldogs Adrian 2007 1 1
Finlandia Lions Hancock 2004 0 0

Junior

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Ontario Hockey League 1980–

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Current teams

Team City Established J. Ross Robertson Cups Memorial Cups Notes
Flint Firebirds Flint 2015 2 0 Also known as the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors (1990–92), Detroit Junior Red Wings (1992–95), Detroit Whalers (1995–97), and Plymouth Whalers
Saginaw Spirit Saginaw 2002 0 1[2] Was previously the North Bay Centennials

Junior A Tier II Hockey Leagues

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North American Hockey League 1975–

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The NAHL was known as the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League from 1975–1984.[3]

Former teams

Team City Existed Season titles Playoff/League titles Notes
Alpena IceDiggers Alpena 2005–2010 0 0 Previously the Toledo IceDiggers, became the Corpus Christi IceRays
Bloomfield Jets Bloomfield 1987–1990 0 0 Became Lakeland Jets
Capital Centre Pride Dimondale 2000–2003 0 0 Previously Grand Rapids Rockets
Dearborn Magic Dearborn 1990–1991 0 0 Became Michigan Nationals
Dearborn Heights Nationals Dearborn Heights 1994–1996 0 0 Previously Michigan Nationals, became St. Louis Sting
Detroit Compuware/Compuware Ambassadors Detroit
Plymouth
Oak Park		 1984–1992
1992–2000
2000–2003		 8 11
Detroit Falcons Fraser 1986–1987 0 0 Formerly the St. Clair Shores Falcons
Detroit Freeze Fraser 1992–1997 1 0 Became Chicago Freeze
Detroit Junior Wings Detroit 1975–1983; 1987–1992 0 0
Detroit Little Caesars Detroit 1975–1976 1 1
Fraser Flags Fraser 1981–1984 0 0
Fraser Highlanders Fraser 1976–1980 0 0
Gaylord Grizzlies Gaylord 1995–1998 0 0 Became Grand Rapids Bearcats
Grand Rapids Bearcats Wyoming 1998–1999 0 0 Ceased operations December 31, 1999. Team became Grand Rapids Rockets
Grand Rapids Rockets Wyoming 1999–2000 0 0 Previously the Grand Rapids Bearcats. Became the Capital Centre Pride
Hennessy Engineers Plymouth 1985–1987 0 0
Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings Kalamazoo 2011–2013 0 0
Kalamazoo Jr. Wings Kalamazoo 1989–1994 1 2 Became the Danville Wings
Lakeland Jets Waterford 1990–1995 0 0 Previously Bloomfield Jets, became Soo Indians
Marquette Rangers Marquette 2006–2010 0 0 Became the Michigan Warriors
Melvindale Blades Melvindale 1989–1990 0 0
Melvindale Lakers Melvindale 1982–1983 0 0
Michigan Nationals Dearborn 1991–1994 0 0 Previously Dearborn Magic, became Dearborn Heights Nationals
Michigan Warriors Flint 2010–2015 0 0 formerly the Marquette Rangers, folded after being displaced by the OHL Flint Firebirds
Motor City Machine/Metal Jackets Detroit 2008–2011 0 0 Became the Jamestown Ironmen
NACE Redford, Michigan 1989–1990 0 0
Oakland Chiefs Southfield 1975–1976 0 0
Paddock Pool Saints Escorse 1975–1984 7 7
Port Huron Fighting Falcons Port Huron 2010–2014 0 0 Became the Keystone Ice Miners
Port Huron Fogcutters Port Huron 1975 0 0 Withdrew November 21, 1975
Redford Royals Redford 1978–1984; 1987–1989 0 0
Saginaw Gears Saginaw 1991–1995 0 0 Became the Gaylord Grizzlies in December 1995
St. Clair Shores Falcons St. Clair Shores 1983–1986 2 2 Became the Detroit Falcons
Soo Eagles Sault Ste. Marie 2012–2015 0 0 purchased Traverse City North Stars franchise; joined from NOJHL
NAHL franchise relocated to become the New Jersey Junior Titans; Soo Eagles rejoined the NOJHL
Soo Indians Sault Ste. Marie 1995–2005 1 0 Previously Lakeland Jets
Traverse City North Stars Traverse City 2005–2012 0 0 Franchise became the Soo Eagles
U.S. National Team Development Program Ann Arbor 1997–2010 0 0
Waterford Lakers Waterford 1981–1982 0 0
Wayne Chiefs Wayne 1976–1980 1 0 National Champs 1980
Western Michigan Wolves Kalamazoo, Michigan 1988–1989 0 0 Became Kalamazoo Jr. Wings

Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League 1978–

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Current teams

Team City Established Season titles Playoff titles Notes
Soo Eagles Sault Ste. Marie 2008–2012, 2015–present 1 0 0 joined NAHL from 2012–15, rejoined NOJHL

Former teams

Team City Established League titles Dudley Hewitt Cups Royal Bank Cups Notes
Soo Indians Sault Ste. Marie 2006–2008 1 0 0 Became Soo Eagles in 2008
Northern Michigan Black Bears Sault Ste. Marie 2003–2006 0 0 0 Became Soo Indians in 2006
Soo Michigan Realtors Sault Ste. Marie 1962–1964 0 0 0

Continental Elite Hockey League 2001–2004

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Team City Established League titles Notes
Brownstown Bombers Brownstown ? 0
Detroit Belle Tire Lightning Fraser ? 1
Michigan Stars Trenton ? 0
Traverse City Enforcers Traverse City 2001–2004 0

Southern Ontario Junior A Hockey League 1970–1976

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Team City Established League titles Notes
Detroit Jr. Red Wings Detroit 1970–75 1
Michigan Americans Utica 1973–74 0

Wolverine Junior Hockey League 1972–1975

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The Wolverine Junior Hockey League and the Michigan Junior Hockey League combined in 1975 to form the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League which later became the North American Hockey League. [4]

Team City Existed Season titles Playoff titles Notes
Flint Flint 1973-197? ? ?
Kalamazoo Kalamazoo 1973-197? 0 0
Livonia Livonia 1973-197? 0 0
Oak Park Oak Park 1972-197? ? ?
Southfield Chiefs Southfield 1972–1975 0 0 Oak Park and Southfield started the annual contest for the Purple Paddle (a goalie stick painted purple) in 1972–73. It was awarded to the winner of the season series by the mayors of each city. The same purple paddle was continued into the 1990s by the successors of these two teams who were eventually in the North American Hockey League.
Trenton Trenton 1972–1973 0 0

Michigan Junior Hockey League 197?–1975

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Team City Existed Season titles Playoff titles Notes
Waterford Lakers Waterford 1972–1975 ? ?
Plymouth Pilgrims Plymouth, Michigan 1972–1974 ? ?
Dearborn Fabricating Dearborn ? ? ?
St. Clair Shores Saints St. Clair Shores, MI 1970-? ? ?
Westland Jays Westland,MI 1972–1975 ? ?

Junior A Tier III Hockey Leagues

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Central States Hockey League

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Current Teams

Team City Established Regular season titles Hurster Cups USA Hockey Silver Cups Notes
Flint Junior Generals Flint 1999 ? ? ?
Grand Rapids Junior Owls Byron Center 1999 ? ? ?
Metro Jets Waterford 1989 1 2 1
Motor City Chiefs Dearborn Heights 1997? ? ? ?

Former Teams

Team City Existed Regular season titles Hurster Cups USA Hockey Silver Cups Notes
Compuware ? 1997?–1998 ? ? ?
Grand Rapids Junior Grizzlies Byron Center 1998–1999 0 0 0
Wayne Wheelers Wayne 1998–1999 0 0 0
Wayne Wheels Wayne 1999–2001? ? ? ?

Western Junior B Hockey League

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Team City Established League titles Notes
Port Huron Flags Port Huron ? 0

League, regional and national championships

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Championship Times won Description
Stanley Cup 11 National Hockey League champion
Turner Cup 14 International Hockey League champion
Calder Cup 2 American Hockey League championship
Commissioner's Cup 1 Federal Prospects Hockey League championship
Colonial Cup 7 United Hockey League champion
Memorial Cup 0 Canadian Major-Junior national champion
J. Ross Robertson Cup 1 Ontario Hockey League champion
NCAA title 18 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey champion
CCHA regular season champion 22 CCHA regular season champion
Mason Cup 25 CCHA playoff champion
MacNaughton Cup 6? WCHA regular season champion
Broadmoor Trophy 9? WCHA playoff championship
R.H. "Bob" Peters Cup 1 CHA regular season champion
Bruce M. McLeod Trophy 3 CHA playoff champion
Gibson Cup ? (1938–1958) Michigan Ontario Hockey League and (1968–current) played for in the Great Lakes Hockey League between the Portage Lake Pioneers and Calumet Wolves

References

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  1. ^ "Stanley Cup Champions and Finalists". nhl.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2009. Retrieved December 10, 2006.
  2. ^ Szumowicz, Austin; Pearson, Mark (June 3, 2024). "Saginaw Spirit are Memorial Cup Champions". www.wnem.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  3. ^ "North American Hockey League [1984-2015] history and statistics". HockeyDB. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  4. ^ http://www.playyourgame.com/nahl.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

See also

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