| Saginaw Spirit | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| City: | Saginaw, Michigan |
| League: | Ontario Hockey League |
| Conference: | Western |
| Division: | West |
| Founded: | 2002–03 |
| Home Arena: | The Dow Event Center |
| Colors: | Midnight blue, red, silver, and yellow |
| Head Coach: | Todd Watson |
| General Manager: | Don Edwards |
| Affiliate(s): | Leamington Flyers |
| Franchise history | |
| 1943–47: | St. Catharines Falcons |
| 1947–62: | St. Catharines Teepees |
| 1962–76: | St. Catharines Black Hawks |
| 1976–82: | Niagara Falls Flyers |
| 1982–02: | North Bay Centennials |
| 2002–Present: | Saginaw Spirit |
The Saginaw Spirit are a junior ice hockey team from Saginaw, Michigan, United States of America, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League. Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of Ice hockey competition for players generally between the ages of 16 and 20 years old Michigan ( is a Midwestern state of the United States of America. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Canadian Hockey League is an Umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian -based Major Junior Ice hockey leagues for players 16
Contents |
History
The Saginaw Spirit were born when Dick Garber, the owner of several local automobile dealerships, purchased the North Bay Centennials and moved the team after the 2001–02 season to Saginaw and renamed them the Saginaw Spirit. The North Bay Centennials were a junior Ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, who played from 1982 - 2002.
The team can trace its roots back to St. Catharines, Ontario where it played from 1943-1976, as the Falcons, Teepees and Black Hawks. The franchise won the Memorial Cup in 1954 & 1960. The Memorial Cup is the championship trophy of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL The team also played as the Niagara Falls Flyers from 1976-1982, and as the North Bay Centennials from 1982–2002.
The Saginaw Spirit have done extensive promotions in the Mid-Michigan area, increasing their fan base and season ticket-holder numbers. The Spirit have one of the highest attendance rates in the Ontario Hockey League.
After three rebuilding seasons the Saginaw Spirit clinched their first playoff berth on March 2nd, 2006, but lost in the first round to the Guelph Storm. The Guelph Storm are a Junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
The team entered the post season the following two seasons, both times against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The Spirit lost to the Greyhounds in six games in the 2007 post season and in four games in the 2008 post season.
Coaches
The first coach in Saginaw Spirit history was Dennis Desrosiers. He was well known to local fans, with many years of hockey experience in Michigan. As a player he spent 10 years for the Saginaw Gears (IHL), and spent time coaching the Flint Generals, Saginaw Generals & Kalamazoo Wings all in Michigan. See also Flint Generals (IHL for the 1969 to 1985 team The Flint Generals are a professional Ice hockey team based in Flint Michigan See also Kalamazoo Wings (1974-2000 The Kalamazoo Wings (usually shortened to K-Wings) are a professional hockey team in Kalamazoo Michigan that In total, there have been four coaches in Saginaw Spirit history to date.
List of coaches. Numbers of seasons in parentheses.
- 2002-03 - Dennis Desrosiers (2)
- 2003-04 - Dennis Desrosiers / Moe Mantha
- 2004-05 - Doug Lidster / Bob Mancini
- 2005-07 - Bob Mancini (3)
- 2007-Present - Todd Watson
Players
See complete list of all List of Saginaw Spirit alumni. Maurice William "Moe" Mantha Jr (born January 21 1961, Lakewood Ohio) is a former National Hockey League player and World Hockey Douglas "Doug" Andrew Lidster (born October 18, 1960 in Kamloops, British Columbia) is a retired Canadian Ice hockey The Saginaw Spirit are a Junior ice hockey team from Saginaw, Michigan, United States of America, playing in the Ontario Hockey League The Saginaw Spirit are a Junior ice hockey team from Saginaw, Michigan, United States of America, playing in the Ontario Hockey League Todd Watson is the current Head coach of the Saginaw Spirit, who play in the Ontario Hockey League. This article lists the alumni of the Saginaw Spirit. The Saginaw Spirit are an Ice hockey team from Saginaw, Michigan, United States of
Award winners
- 2003-2004 - Patrick McNeill, Jack Ferguson Award -1st overall OHL Priority Draft Selection
- 2005-2006 - Ryan Daniels, F.W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy -Best Rookie GAA
- 2005-2006 - Craig Goslin, OHL Executive of the Year
- 2006-2007 - Tom Pyatt, William Hanley Trophy -Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year
- 2006-2007 - Craig Goslin, OHL Executive of the Year
NHL alumni
Since 2002 the Saginaw Spirit have graduated three players who have played in the National Hockey League. Patrick McNeill (born March 17 1987) is a Canadian Ice hockey defenceman The Jack Ferguson Award, or "Fergie", is awarded each year to the top draft pick in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft Ryan Daniels (born 6–18–1988 in Pickering Ontario) is a major junior ice hockey hockey goalie The FW "Dinty" Moore Trophy is awarded annually to the first year goaltender with the best goals against average in the Ontario Hockey League during the regular season The OHL Executive of the Year Award is given annually to the top executive in the Ontario Hockey League. Tom Pyatt (born February 14, 1987 in Thunder Bay, Ontario) is a major junior ice hockey forward The William Hanley Trophy is awarded to the Ontario Hockey League 's Most Sportsmanlike Player The OHL Executive of the Year Award is given annually to the top executive in the Ontario Hockey League.
Current squad
Roster updated as of May 28th, 2008
| Goaltenders | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Player | Glove | Acquired | NHL Draft | Place of Birth | |
| 20 |  |
Ryan Daniels | L | Saginaw Spirit 2004 | OTT 2006 | Pickering, Ontario |
| 31 | |
Edward Pasquale | L | Trade BLV 2007 | 2009 | Toronto, Ontario |
| 37 | |
Joseph Lepera | L | Saginaw Spirit 2007 | 2009 | Oakville, Ontario |
| Defensemen | ||||||
| Number | Player | Shoots | Acquired | NHL Draft | Place of Birth | |
| 3 | |
Jordan Ogilvie | L | Free Agent 2007 | Free Agent | Ancaster, Ontario |
| 4 | |
Nick Crawford | L | Saginaw Spirit 2006 | 2008 | Caledon, Ontario |
| 5 | |
Cody Sol | L | Saginaw Spirit 2007 | 2009 | Woodstock, Ontario |
| 6 | |
Christopher Breen | L | Saginaw Spirit 2005 | Free Agent | Uxbridge, Ontario |
| 17 |  |
Joe Underwood | R | Trade GUE 2007 | 2008 | Canton, Michigan |
| 24 | |
Adam Comrie | L | Saginaw Spirit 2006 | 2008 | Ashburn, Virginia |
| 25 | |
T. Cody Bass (born on January 7 1987 in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada) is a professional Ice hockey player for the Binghamton Senators Geoff Platt (born July 10 1985 in Toronto, Ontario) is a Canadian ice hockey player currently contracted to Dinamo Minsk Chris Thorburn (born June 3, 1983 in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario) is an Ice hockey centre. Ryan Daniels (born 6–18–1988 in Pickering Ontario) is a major junior ice hockey hockey goalie The Ottawa Senators (Les Sénateurs d'Ottawa are a professional Ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada The 2006 NHL Entry Draft was the 44th NHL Entry Draft. It was held at GM Place in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada, on June 24 Pickering is a City located immediately east of Toronto in Durham Region, Ontario, Canada The Belleville Bulls are a junior Ice hockey team founded in 1981 based in Belleville Ontario Canada Toronto (təˈrɒntoʊ colloquially pronounced or) is the largest city in Canada and is the provincial capital of Ontario Oakville ( 2006 population 165613, was auctioned off to William Chisholm in 1827 Ancaster is a suburban community in the southwest of Hamilton Ontario, Canada with which it amalgamated in 2001 Caledon ( 2006 Population 57050 is a Town in the Regional Municipality of Peel in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Woodstock (2006 population 35480 is a City and the county seat of Oxford County in southwestern Ontario Uxbridge is a township in south-central Ontario, in the Regional Municipality of Durham in the Greater Toronto Area, Canada. The Guelph Storm are a Junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. The Charter Township of Canton, usually referred to as Canton, is a Charter township of Wayne County in the U Ashburn Virginia is an unincorporated area located in Loudoun County, Virginia, 30 miles west of Washington D J. Brodie | R | Saginaw Spirit 2006 | 2008 | Dresden, Ontario |
| Forwards | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Player | Shoots | Position | Acquired | NHL Draft | Place of Birth | |
|
Mitch Fillman | R | RW | Free Agent 2007 | 2008 | Oakville, Ontario | |
|
Connor Smee | L | LW | Saginaw Spirit 2005 | Free Agent | Toronto, Ontario | |
| 7 | |
Zane Neily | L | LW | Free Agent 2008 | Free Agent | Brantford, Ontario |
| 9 | |
Sloan Stewart | R | RW | Saginaw Spirit 2007 | 2009 | Guelph, Ontario |
| 11 | |
Tyler Murovich | L | C | Free Agent 2007 | 2008 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| 12 | |
Kyle Tront | L | LW | Trade BLV 2008 | Free Agent | Thunder Bay, Ontario |
| 14 | |
Jordan Szwarz | R | RW | Saginaw Spirit 2007 | 2009 | Burlington, Ontario |
| 15 | |
Joe Pleckaitis | L | LW | Trade BAR 2007 | Free Agent | Markham, Ontario |
| 16 | |
Daniel Pachis | L | C | Saginaw Spirit 2007 | 2009 | Whitby, Ontario |
| 18 | |
Kain Allicock | L | LW | Saginaw Spirit 2006 | 2008 | Thornhill, Ontario |
| 19 | |
Chris Chappell - A | L | C | Saginaw Spirit 2004 | Free Agent | Pickering, Ontario |
| 21 | |
Jack Combs - A | L | C | Trade KIT 2005 | Free Agent | St. Louis, Missouri |
| 22 | |
Jason McDonough | L | LW | Trade PTB 2007 | Free Agent | Etobicoke, Ontario |
| 23 | |
Brendan Taylor | R | C | Trade BLV 2007 | Free Agent | Oakville, Ontario |
| 28 | |
Brad Smith | R | C | Free Agent 2007 | Free Agent | Summerside, PEI |
| 29 | |
Ryan McDonough - C | L | C | Trade SBY 2005 | Free Agent | Toronto, Ontario |
Team records
| Team Records for a single season | ||
| Statistic | Total | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Most Points | 91 | 2006–07 |
| Most Wins | 44 | 2006–07 |
| Most Goals For | 291 | 2006–07 |
| Least Goals For | 150 | 2004–05 |
| Least Goals Against | 217 | 2006–07 |
| Most Goals Against | 275 | 2002–03 |
| Individual player records for a single season | |||
| Statistic | Player | Total | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Goals | Ryan McDonough | 45 | 2007–08 |
| Most Assists | Tyler Haskins | 60 | 2006–07 |
| Most Points | Jack Combs | 100 | 2007–08 |
| Most Points, rookie | Jan Mursak | 80 | 2006–07 |
| Most Points, defenseman | Patrick McNeill | 77 | 2006–07 |
| Best GAA, goalie | Chuck Goddard | 2. Dresden is a community in southwestern Ontario, Canada, part of the municipality of Chatham-Kent. Oakville ( 2006 population 165613, was auctioned off to William Chisholm in 1827 Toronto (təˈrɒntoʊ colloquially pronounced or) is the largest city in Canada and is the provincial capital of Ontario Brantford is a city located on the Grand River in south-western Ontario, Canada. The Belleville Bulls are a junior Ice hockey team founded in 1981 based in Belleville Ontario Canada Thunder Bay ( 2006 census population 109140 formerly the twin cities of Fort William and Port Arthur, is a City in and the seat of Thunder Burlington ( 2006 population 164415 is a city located at the western end of Lake Ontario The Barrie Colts are a Junior ice hockey team in Ontario Hockey League, based in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Markham ( pronounced /ˈmɑrkəm/ 2006 population 261573 is a town located in the Regional Municipality of Whitby (2006 population 111184 is a Town in Ontario, Canada. Whitby is located east of Toronto Thornhill ( 2006 population 106394 is an upscale community in the Greater Toronto Area in southern Ontario, Canada, located on the northern Pickering is a City located immediately east of Toronto in Durham Region, Ontario, Canada The Kitchener Rangers are a Junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League that have called Kitchener Ontario, Canada their home since The Peterborough Petes are a Junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Belleville Bulls are a junior Ice hockey team founded in 1981 based in Belleville Ontario Canada Oakville ( 2006 population 165613, was auctioned off to William Chisholm in 1827 Summerside (2006 pop 14500 is a Canadian city in Prince County, Prince Edward Island. The Sudbury Wolves are a Junior ice hockey team that play in the Ontario Hockey League. Toronto (təˈrɒntoʊ colloquially pronounced or) is the largest city in Canada and is the provincial capital of Ontario 49 | 1962–63 |
| Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played | |||
Season-by-season results
Regular season
Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SL = Shoot Out Loss
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | OTL | SL | Points | Pct % | Goals For |
Goals Against |
Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–03 | 68 | 11 | 45 | 5 | 7 | – | 34 | 0. The 2002–03 OHL season was the 23rd season of the Ontario Hockey League. 250 | 158 | 275 | 5th West |
| 2003–04 | 68 | 16 | 45 | 3 | 4 | – | 39 | 0. The 2003–04 OHL season was the 24th season of the Ontario Hockey League. 287 | 161 | 228 | 5th West |
| 2004–05 | 68 | 18 | 42 | 4 | 4 | – | 44 | 0. The 2004–05 OHL season was the 25th season of the Ontario Hockey League. 324 | 150 | 260 | 4th West |
| 2005–06 | 68 | 36 | 30 | – | 2 | 0 | 74 | 0. The 2005–06 OHL season was the 26th season of the Ontario Hockey League. 544 | 242 | 246 | 2nd West |
| 2006–07 | 68 | 44 | 21 | – | 0 | 3 | 91 | 0. The 2006–07 OHL season was the 27th season of the Ontario Hockey League. 669 | 291 | 217 | 2nd West |
| 2007–08 | 68 | 33 | 25 | – | 8 | 2 | 76 | 0. The 2007–08 OHL season was the 28th season of the Ontario Hockey League. 559 | 234 | 231 | 4th West |
Playoffs
- 2002–03 Out of playoffs.
- 2003–04 Out of playoffs.
- 2004–05 Out of playoffs.
- 2005–06 Lost to Guelph Storm 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
- 2006–07 Lost to Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
- 2007–08 Lost to Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
Uniforms and logos
The Saginaw Spirit logo depicts an American bald eagle with the colors of the Stars and Stripes along its neck, on the words "Saginaw Spirit. The Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a Bird of prey found in North America that is most recognizable as the national bird and " The uniform scheme is similar to that previously used by the U.S.A. national team. USA Hockey is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for Amateur ice hockey The home jerseys are white backgrounds with navy blue sleeves and red trim. The away jerseys are navy blue backgrounds with red sleeves and white trim. The Saginaw third jersey (inset) has a red background with navy blue sleeves and white trim, bearing across the chest the word "Saginaw" spelled diagonally downwards from left to right.
Mascots
Saginaw's main mascot is "Sammy Spirit," resembling an American bald eagle. The Bald Eagle ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a Bird of prey found in North America that is most recognizable as the national bird and The team held a vote on their website to name a new secondary mascot for the 2006–07 season. The mascot was named[1] Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle after Stephen Colbert. Dr Stephen T Colbert DFA (koʊɫˈbεɹ is the Colbert had promoted the contest on his show, The Colbert Report. The Colbert Report (/kolˈbɛr rəˈpɔr/&mdashthe t is silent in "Colbert" is a Peabody Award and Emmy Award winning American After naming the mascot after Colbert, the Spirit won seven straight games before losing to the Sarnia Sting on October 20. The Sarnia Sting are a Junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. Events 1740 - Maria Theresa takes the throne of Austria. France, Prussia, Bavaria and Saxony Since then, The Colbert Report has featured ongoing comedy sketches related to the team, the mascot, and other teams in the Ontario Hockey League, especially the Oshawa Generals, and Oshawa, Ontario mayor John Gray. The Oshawa Generals are a Junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government [2]
Arena
The Spirit play at Wendler Arena (capacity 5,527), which is part of The Dow Event Center complex in downtown Saginaw. The Dow Event Center (formerly known as The Saginaw County Event Center, formerly known as The Saginaw Civic Center) is located in downtown Saginaw The Dow Event Center (formerly known as The Saginaw County Event Center, formerly known as The Saginaw Civic Center) is located in downtown Saginaw The OHL All-Star Classic was hosted here in 2007. This was the first time in history that the OHL All-Star Game was hosted in an American city. The Arena was formerly home to the Saginaw Gears, Saginaw Generals, Saginaw Hawks, Saginaw Wheels and the Saginaw Lumber Kings.
- Capacity = 5,527
- Ice size = 192' x 85'
- Wendler Arena The OHL Arena & Travel Guide
Mid Michigan Spirit
The Saginaw Spirit in partnership with Meijer food stores sponsor the Mid Michigan Spirit. Meijer ( Dutch, ˈmaɪər is a regional American Hypermarket chain based in Walker Michigan. This is a women's hockey club based out of Midland, Michigan. Midland is a city in the US state of Michigan in Flint/Tri-Cities region of the state The 16U team took second at the MAHA state tournament during the 2006-2007 season. A 16U team moved up to 19U for the 2007-2008 season. This team once again took second at the MAHA state tournament in Canton, Michigan on March 9th, 2008.
References
- ^ Spirit on the Colbert Report Tonight. Saginaw Spirit (2006-10-03). Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 42 BC - First Battle of Philippi: Triumvirs Mark Antony and Octavian fight an indecisive battle with Caesar's Retrieved on 2007-02-01. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen
- ^ Sunaya Sapurji (2007-02-01). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen The Steagle has landed. Toronto Star. Retrieved on 2007-02-01. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen
External links
- www.saginawspirit.com Saginaw Spirit official site
- Ontario Hockey League Official web site
- Canadian Hockey League Official web site
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic