Spokane Comets

Last updated
Spokane Comets
City Spokane, Washington
League Western Hockey League
Operated1959–63
Home arena Spokane Coliseum
ColoursBlue, 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)

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.

Contents

History

In 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

All seasons played in Spokane included.

SeasonGPWLTPtsGFGAFinishPlayoffs
1958-59 7026386582172754thLost opening round
1959-60 7019483412013247thout of playoffs
1960-61 7033343692472585thLost Quarter Final
1961-62 7037285792722422nd SouthLost Final
1962-63 7030382622192524th Southout of playoffs

Comets who played in the NHL

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References

  1. ↑ Dillman, Dick (April 11, 1961). "Comets Move Hangs Heavy". The Spokesman Review (332). Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Pro Hockey Remains in Spokane". The Spokesman Review (344). April 23, 1961. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Spokane Comets Statistics and History". hockeydb.com.
  4. ↑ "Pilous Offered Job As Boss at Denver, Leafs New Farm Club". The Globe and Mail . 1963-06-06.
  5. ↑ "Leafs buy coast club". Toronto Daily Star . 1963-06-05.
  6. ↑ 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 .
  7. ↑ Stott, Jon C (2008). Ice Warriors: The Pacific Coast/Western Hockey League 1948-1974. Heritage House Publishing. ISBN   9781927051047.
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