The Spokane Comets were a minor professional ice hockey team that was located in Spokane, Washington. They played in the Western Hockey League (WHL) from 1959 to 1963.
| Spokane Comets | |
|---|---|
| City | Spokane, Washington |
| League | Western Hockey League |
| Operated | 1959–63 |
| Home arena | Spokane Coliseum |
| Colours | Blue, red and white |
| Owner(s) | Mel Smith |
| Affiliate | Montreal Canadiens |
| Franchise history | |
| 1958–1959 | Spokane Spokes |
| 1959–1963 | Spokane Comets |
| 1963–1964 | Denver Invaders |
| 1964–1967 | Victoria Maple Leafs |
| 1967–1974 | Phoenix Roadrunners (WHL) |
| 1974–1977 | Phoenix Roadrunners (WHA) |
History
editIn April 1961, the franchise considered a move to San Francisco in view of the financial loss of the previous three years but, after several meetings, it remained in Spokane.[1][2]
The 1962-63 team was coached by Roy McBride who piloted the team to a 30-38-2 record.[3]
In June 1963 the Spokane franchise was purchased by a group led by the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League which relocated them to become the Denver Invaders and act as their farm team.[4][5][6][7] Spokane quickly generated the Spokane Jets, which commenced play in the Western International Hockey League in the 1963–64 WIHL season.
The previous hockey team to play in Spokane had been the Spokane Flyers, who played in the senior amateur WIHL until the pro Flyers joined the WHL as the Spokane Spokes. The pro team's nickname was changed to the Comets in 1959–60.
Season-by-season records
editAll seasons played in Spokane included.
| Season | GP | W | L | T | Pts | GF | GA | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958-59 | 70 | 26 | 38 | 6 | 58 | 217 | 275 | 4th | Lost opening round |
| 1959-60 | 70 | 19 | 48 | 3 | 41 | 201 | 324 | 7th | out of playoffs |
| 1960-61 | 70 | 33 | 34 | 3 | 69 | 247 | 258 | 5th | Lost Quarter Final |
| 1961-62 | 70 | 37 | 28 | 5 | 79 | 272 | 242 | 2nd South | Lost Final |
| 1962-63 | 70 | 30 | 38 | 2 | 62 | 219 | 252 | 4th South | out of playoffs |
Comets who played in the NHL
editReferences
edit- ^ Dillman, Dick (April 11, 1961). "Comets Move Hangs Heavy". The Spokesman Review (332). Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ "Pro Hockey Remains in Spokane". The Spokesman Review (344). April 23, 1961. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ "Spokane Comets Statistics and History". hockeydb.com.
- ^ "Pilous Offered Job As Boss at Denver, Leafs New Farm Club". The Globe and Mail. 1963-06-06.
- ^ "Leafs buy coast club". Toronto Daily Star. 1963-06-05.
- ^ Missildine, Harry (1963-06-05). "Spokane's Western Hockey Franchise Moves to Denver; Toronto Maple Leafs Purchase Mel Smith's Comet Stock". The Spokesman-Review.
- ^ Stott, Jon C (2008). Ice Warriors: The Pacific Coast/Western Hockey League 1948-1974. Heritage House Publishing. ISBN 9781927051047.