Toledo Mercurys
Encyclopedia
The Toledo Mercurys are a defunct International Hockey League franchise from Toledo, Ohio
. The Toledo Franchise was the first IHL franchise to be granted outside of the Windsor-Detroit
area, for the cost of $1000.00 to Virgil Gladeaux of Toledo. The Mercurys existed 15 seasons in total from 1947 to 1962 with some minor naming variations. Toledo was successful on the ice, being the first IHL team to win multiple Turner Cup
championships, and the first to do so consecutively.
four games to one in the IHL championship series. Team coach and manager Andy Mulligan had signed nine players from his native Manitoba
to build the team, including team captain and right-winger Max Labovitch
, center Barney O'Connell and left wing Jake Kernahan . The Mercurys later won the United States Amateur hockey title, defeating the Elveth Rangers in two games, and the New York Rovers in three games.
In the 1948–49 season, the team played in both the north and south division of the IHL, because the team owners wanted to play more games. The Mercurys of the north division won the J. P. McGuire Trophy
that year by capturing the IHL North title. In a rematch of the previous season's IHL championship, Windsor defeated Toledo four games to three.
The following year for 1949–50 season, the team was known as the Toledo Buckeyes while playing in the Eastern Amateur Hockey League
. The team returned to the IHL in 1950 known again as the Mercurys. Toledo won consecutive Turner Cups in 1950–51 and 1951–52 defeating the Grand Rapids Rockets
in the finals both seasons.
In the 1955–56 season, the Mercurys played some home games in Marion, Ohio
at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum
, hence being known as the Toledo-Marion Mercurys. The Mercurys split home games between arenas again for the 1959–60 season. The Toledo-St. Louis Mercurys played some home games in St. Louis, Missouri
at the St. Louis Arena
.
The Mercurys franchise folded after the 1961–62 season. The International Hockey League returned to Toledo in 1963, with the Toledo Blades
franchise.
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 Toledo Franchise was the first IHL franchise to be granted outside of the Windsor-Detroit
Windsor-Detroit
The Detroit–Windsor region is an international urban area centred on the American city of Detroit, Michigan, the Canadian city of Windsor, Ontario and the Detroit River between them. The Detroit–Windsor area, a critical commercial link straddling the Canada-U.S. border, has a total population of...
area, for the cost of $1000.00 to Virgil Gladeaux of Toledo. The Mercurys existed 15 seasons in total from 1947 to 1962 with some minor naming variations. Toledo was successful on the ice, being the first IHL team to win multiple 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...
championships, and the first to do so consecutively.
History
The Mercurys won the Turner during their first year of operation in the 1947–48 season. Toledo defeated the Windsor Hettche SpitfiresDetroit Hettche
The Detroit Hettche were a minor league professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan, and played at the Detroit Olympia. The team was originally known as the Windsor Spitfires and were one of the four founding members of the International Hockey League in 1945...
four games to one in the IHL championship series. Team coach and manager Andy Mulligan had signed nine players from his native Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
to build the team, including team captain and right-winger Max Labovitch
Max Labovitch
Maxwell Labovitch was a Canadian ice hockey player. His physical measurements are 5 '11", 165 pounds. He is Jewish.-Career:...
, center Barney O'Connell and left wing Jake Kernahan . The Mercurys later won the United States Amateur hockey title, defeating the Elveth Rangers in two games, and the New York Rovers in three games.
In the 1948–49 season, the team played in both the north and south division of the IHL, because the team owners wanted to play more games. The Mercurys of the north division won the J. P. McGuire 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...
that year by capturing the IHL North title. In a rematch of the previous season's IHL championship, Windsor defeated Toledo four games to three.
The following year for 1949–50 season, the team was known as the Toledo Buckeyes while playing in the Eastern Amateur Hockey League
Eastern Hockey League
-Eastern Amateur Hockey League :The league was founded in 1933 as the Eastern Amateur Hockey League . The league was founded by Thomas Lockhart, who served as its commissioner from 1933 to 1972...
. The team returned to the IHL in 1950 known again as the Mercurys. Toledo won consecutive Turner Cups in 1950–51 and 1951–52 defeating the Grand Rapids Rockets
Grand Rapids Rockets
The Grand Rapids Rockets are a defunct International Hockey League team. They were members of the IHL from the 1950–1951 season to 1955–1956 season. They were based in Grand Rapids, Michigan and played their home games in Stadium Arena. The team had previously been a member of the Eastern Amateur...
in the finals both seasons.
In the 1955–56 season, the Mercurys played some home games in Marion, Ohio
Marion, Ohio
Marion is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Marion County. The municipality is located in north-central Ohio, approximately north of Columbus....
at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Marion)
The Veterans Memorial Coliseum is a 3,500-seat multi-purpose arena, in Marion, Ohio. It was built in 1950.It is home to the Marion Blue Racers indoor football team of the Ultimate Indoor Football League...
, hence being known as the Toledo-Marion Mercurys. The Mercurys split home games between arenas again for the 1959–60 season. The Toledo-St. Louis Mercurys played some home games in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
at the St. Louis Arena
St. Louis Arena
The St. Louis Arena was an indoor arena located in St. Louis, Missouri, that stood from 1929 to 1999...
.
The Mercurys franchise folded after the 1961–62 season. The International Hockey League returned to Toledo in 1963, with 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...
franchise.