Saginaw Gears (IHL)
Encyclopedia
The Saginaw Gears were a minor-league ice hockey
franchise that played in the defunct International Hockey League (IHL). The Gears existed from 1972 to 1983. The Gears played their home games at Wendler Arena in the Saginaw Civic Center (now known as The Dow Event Center).
IHL hockey would later return to the Tri-Cities when the Flint Generals
were moved to Saginaw to become the Saginaw Generals for the 1985–86 season.
replica at the Hockey Hall of Fame
in Toronto
has Saginaw misspelled as "Sagimaw" for the 1976-77 Championship
in their 11-year existence. The biggest names include:
Head Coach Don Perry
also made it to the NHL, coaching the Los Angeles Kings
from 1981–84. In 1974–75, longtime NHL forward/defenceman Reg Fleming
joined the Gears in time for the 1975 playoffs.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
franchise that played in the defunct International Hockey League (IHL). The Gears existed from 1972 to 1983. The Gears played their home games at Wendler Arena in the Saginaw Civic Center (now known as The Dow Event Center).
IHL hockey would later return to the Tri-Cities when the Flint Generals
Flint Generals
The Flint Generals were a professional ice hockey team based in Flint, Michigan.They were a member of the International Hockey League and played their home games at Perani Arena and Event Center in Flint, Michigan....
were moved to Saginaw to become the Saginaw Generals for the 1985–86 season.
Championships
The Gears made the playoffs for nine straight seasons, from 1973–82. The Gears reached the Turner Cup Finals five times in that stretch, and won the following championships:| Season | League | Trophy |
|---|---|---|
| 1976–77 | IHL | Fred A. Huber Trophy Fred A. Huber Trophy The Fred A. Huber Trophy was awarded annually by the International Hockey League to the North American ice hockey team with the most points during the regular season. The trophy for the league championship was originally named the J. P. McGuire Trophy, the owner of Detroit car dealership, and... |
| 1976–77 | IHL | Turner Cup Turner Cup The Turner Cup is the championship trophy of the International Hockey League. The Cup is named for Joe Turner, a goaltender from Windsor, Ontario. Turner became professional with the Detroit Red Wings organization, and played one season with the Indianapolis Capitals in the American Hockey League... |
| 1980–81 | IHL | Turner Cup Turner Cup The Turner Cup is the championship trophy of the International Hockey League. The Cup is named for Joe Turner, a goaltender from Windsor, Ontario. Turner became professional with the Detroit Red Wings organization, and played one season with the Indianapolis Capitals in the American Hockey League... |
Trivia
The Turner CupTurner Cup
The Turner Cup is the championship trophy of the International Hockey League. The Cup is named for Joe Turner, a goaltender from Windsor, Ontario. Turner became professional with the Detroit Red Wings organization, and played one season with the Indianapolis Capitals in the American Hockey League...
replica at the Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
has Saginaw misspelled as "Sagimaw" for the 1976-77 Championship
Notable players
The Gears sent several players to the National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
in their 11-year existence. The biggest names include:
- Mario LessardMario LessardMario Lessard is a retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender.Lessard started his National Hockey League career with the Los Angeles Kings in 1978. He would play his entire NHL career with the Kings. He retired after the 1984 season. Lessard was a NHL Second Team All-Star in 1981...
- Borden Smith
- Mike PalmateerMike PalmateerMichael Scott Palmateer is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goalie. He played in the NHL from 1976 to 1984 for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals.-Playing career:...
- Renault Tessier
- Greg HothamGreg HothamGregory S. Hotham is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 230 games in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins.-External links:...
, whose sons Scott and Andrew played for the Saginaw SpiritSaginaw SpiritThe Saginaw Spirit is a major junior ice hockey team based in Saginaw, Michigan. They are members of the West Division of the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League , one of the Major Junior leagues of the Canadian Hockey League .... - Lou FranceschettiLou FranceschettiLouis Carlo Franceschetti is a retired Canadian ice hockey player. He was born in Toronto, Ontario.Drafted in 1978 by the Washington Capitals, Francheschetti also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Buffalo Sabres. Lou was a fan favorite in the late 1980s during his tenure as a Capital, mainly...
- Bob FroeseBob FroeseRobert Glenn Froese is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender.-Playing career:He played in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers. Froese shared the William M. Jennings Trophy with Darren Jensen as a member of the Flyers in the 1985–86 season...
- Sascha Drzymalla
Head Coach Don Perry
Don Perry
Don Perry , is a former Canadian ice hockey player and coach. Perry was head coach of the Los Angeles Kings from 1981 to 1984...
also made it to the NHL, coaching the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
from 1981–84. In 1974–75, longtime NHL forward/defenceman Reg Fleming
Reg Fleming
Reginald Stephen "Reggie, The Ruffian" Fleming, was a professional hockey player in the National Hockey League with the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and Buffalo Sabres...
joined the Gears in time for the 1975 playoffs.