Where did they go? The Relocation of Hockey Teams.

As avid fans of the sport, we’ve witnessed the ebb and flow of professional hockey teams over the years. From the early days of the sport to the modern era, the landscape of hockey has been marked by a series of relocations that have shaped the identity of the game. The dominant theme I discovered with the relocation of teams is due to financial difficulties in the organization. Whether it occurred because of shrinking attendance or owner troubles, this has been the primary reason for team relocations. For team name changes, I believe it mostly came down to refreshing the franchise when new ownership took over.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on the stories of several iconic teams and their journeys from one city to another:
The Detroit Red Wings’ lineage traces back to the 1911 New Westminster Royals, a Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA) team from Vancouver, BC. Although winning the inaugural season of the PCHA, it faced financial challenges because of attendance and relocated to Portland, Oregon, becoming the Rose Buds in 1914. They then moved back to Canada (Victoria, BC) to become the Aristocrats, and later the Cougars, winning the Stanley Cup in 1925. They moved to Detroit in 1926, however, they struggled and changed their name to the Falcons in 1930. It was shortlived and in 1932 the team underwent a significant transformation when James Norris acquired ownership. Norris, formerly associated with the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (MAAA), a club known for its winged-wheel emblem rooted in cycling, which had also clinched the very first Stanley Cup in 1893 with its hockey team. Drawing inspiration from the MAAA’s “Winged Wheelers” logo, Norris envisioned a red variation that would be fitting for a team based in the bustling “Motor City” – The franchise was rebranded as the Detroit Red Wings. This franchise has become synonymous with hockey greatness, boasting multiple Stanley Cup victories and a rich history that spans over a century. The Red Wings need a story of their own, which we will tackle in the near future!

For the Toronto Maple Leafs, they were originally founded in 1917 as the Toronto Hockey Club. The team adopted the name Toronto Arenas in 1919, reflecting their home arena, the Arena Garden of 1927. The team underwent a rebranding as the Toronto St. Patricks, paying homage to the Irish heritage prevalent in the city. However, in 1927, new ownership led to a renaming, drawing inspiration from the regimental badge of the Maple Leaf Regiment from World War I, resulting in the iconic moniker, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Jumping somewhat closer to our own timeline today … though it was 57 years ago, the California (Golden) Seals emerged in the Bay Area in 1967, capturing the hearts of hockey fans in the sunny state. However, financial difficulties and low attendance forced the team to move to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1976, where they rebranded as the Cleveland Barons before ultimately merging with the Minnesota North Stars. The legacy of the Golden Seals lives on as the San Jose Sharks, who emerged from the ashes of the Barons and continue to thrive in the NHL.

The Kansas City Scouts symbolized the growth of hockey in the heartland when they joined the NHL as an expansion team in 1974. However, financial challenges and a lack of success on the ice led to their relocation to Denver, Colorado, in 1976, where they became the Colorado Rockies. Despite the rocky road, this franchise found new life in New Jersey as the Devils and went on to achieve greatness in the years that followed.

Founded in 1972 as part of the World Hockey Association (WHA), the Quebec Nordiques transitioned to the NHL in 1979. Financial constraints and a desire for a larger market prompted their relocation to Denver, Colorado, in 1995, where they became the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche’s Stanley Cup victory in their first season in Denver was a testament to the team’s resilience and determination.

Like the Nordiques, the Winnipeg Jets transitioned from the WHA to the NHL, but financial challenges such as the weak Canadian dollar also compelled their relocation to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1996, where they rebranded as the Phoenix Coyotes. Despite the move, the Jets’ legacy endured in the hearts of Winnipeg hockey fans, who rejoiced at the team’s return in 2011. Another WHA team, the Hartford Whalers, also faced financial hurdles and attendance struggles, leading to their move to North Carolina in 1997 as the Carolina Hurricanes. While the relocation saddened Whalers fans, the Hurricanes flourished in their new home, clinching the Stanley Cup in 2006 and solidifying their presence in the NHL. Likewise, another WHA team, the Atlanta Flames, relocated to Calgary, Alberta, in 1980, transforming into the Calgary Flames. Similarly, the Minnesota North Stars, founded in 1967, found a new home in Dallas, Texas, in 1993, where they rebranded as the Dallas Stars, winning the Stanley Cup in 1999. Finally, the Atlanta Thrashers, founded in 1999, moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 2011, where they were reborn as the Winnipeg Jets.

With every relocation and rebranding, excitement takes off about where the next teams will emerge and what they will be called. Whether it’s historic franchises finding new homes or entirely new teams taking the ice, each development adds excitement to the sport. The list of team names and their locations is extensive, even so that some teams may have accidentally named themselves without realizing it had been used before.

Here are some popular team origins, and where they went:
Toronto Hockey Club, Arenas, St. Pats, Maple Leafs
Ottawa Senators (originally known as the Ottawa Hockey Club, then the Ottawa Silver Seven, before becoming the Ottawa Senators)
New Westminster Royals (later became the Portland Rosebuds, then the Aristocrats, Victoria Cougars, the Detroit Falcons, and eventually the Detroit Red Wings)
California Seals, Oakland Seals, and the California Golden Seals (later became the San Jose Sharks)
Kansas City Scouts (later became the Colorado Rockies and then the New Jersey Devils)
San Francisco Sharks, Quebec Nordiques (later became the Colorado Avalanche)
Winnipeg Jets (original team, later became the Phoenix Coyotes and then the Arizona Coyotes)
New England Whalers, Hartford Whalers (later became the Carolina Hurricanes)
Atlanta Flames (later became the Calgary Flames)
Alberta Oilers (later became the Edmonton Oilers)
Minnesota North Stars (later became the Dallas Stars)
Atlanta Thrashers (later became the Winnipeg Jets)

Images: Montreal AAA 1893: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1893_AHAC_season; New Westminster Royals image courtesy – City of Vancouver Archives; Portland Rosebuds image courtesy: OregonEncyclopedia.org; Toronto St. Pats image courtesy: https://puckstruck.com/tag/toronto-st-patricks/ ;Kansas City Scouts – Personal; Whalers – Personal; Seals Team Photo – Personal; Montreal AAA logo – Musee McCord Museum; Victoria Cougars -https://bcsportshall.com/honoured_member/1924-1925-victoria-cougars/ ; Detroit Falcons – https://icehockey.fandom.com/wiki/1930%E2%80%9331_Detroit_Falcons_season; Detroit Cougars – https://www.hourdetroit.com/community/detroit-cougars-nhl-1926/ ;