Toledo Goaldiggers
Encyclopedia
The Toledo Goaldiggers was an International Hockey League franchise that played in Toledo, Ohio
from 1974 to 1986. Prior to the Goaldiggers, the city's hockey team was the Toledo Blades
, which played under that name from its founding in 1963 until 1970, when it changed its name to the Toledo Hornets, which it would play as through the 1973-1974 season. When the Hornets moved to Lansing, Michigan
to become the Lansing Lancers
after the 1973-1974 season, the IHL granted Toledo
the expansion Goaldiggers. After the 1985–1986 season, the Goaldiggers suspended operations. After a sale to Russ and Diane Parker, the team was moved to Kansas City, Missouri
and resumed play as the Kansas City Blades
in 1990.
The Goaldiggers won the Turner Cup
Championship in 1975, 1978, 1982, and 1983.
One of the most famous Goaldiggers was Mike Eruzione, who played with the 1980 Miracle on Ice
U.S. ice hockey
team. Eruzione was a Goaldigger for the previous two seasons before joining the U.S. national team.
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
from 1974 to 1986. Prior to the Goaldiggers, the city's hockey team was the Toledo Blades
Toledo Blades
The Toledo Blades were the International Hockey League franchise of Toledo, Ohio from 1963 to 1970. The team name was changed to Hornets in 1970. The storied franchise left Toledo after the 1974–75 season for Lansing, Michigan, where they became the Lansing Lancers. The Blades were the Regular...
, which played under that name from its founding in 1963 until 1970, when it changed its name to the Toledo Hornets, which it would play as through the 1973-1974 season. When the Hornets moved to Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
to become the Lansing Lancers
Lansing Lancers
The Lansing Lancers were a professional ice hockey team playing in the International Hockey League. They were based in Lansing, Michigan and played their games at Metro Ice Arena. They were a member of the league during the 1974–1975 season, after moving from Toledo, Ohio, where it played as the...
after the 1973-1974 season, the IHL granted Toledo
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
the expansion Goaldiggers. After the 1985–1986 season, the Goaldiggers suspended operations. After a sale to Russ and Diane Parker, the team was moved to Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
and resumed play as the Kansas City Blades
Kansas City Blades
The Kansas City Blades was a professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1990–2001 until the demise of the league after the 2000–01 season. The Blades was based in Kansas City, Missouri at Kemper Arena....
in 1990.
The Goaldiggers won the 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...
Championship in 1975, 1978, 1982, and 1983.
One of the most famous Goaldiggers was Mike Eruzione, who played with the 1980 Miracle on Ice
Miracle on Ice
The "Miracle on Ice" is the name in American popular culture for a medal-round men's ice hockey game during the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York, on Friday, February 22...
U.S. ice hockey
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...
team. Eruzione was a Goaldigger for the previous two seasons before joining the U.S. national team.