The Flint Spirits were a professional hockey team in Flint, Michigan

Flint, Michigan

Flint is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is located along the Flint River, northwest of Detroit. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the 2010 population to be placed at 102,434, making Flint the seventh largest city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Genesee County which lies in the...

 from 1985–1990, and played their home games at the IMA Sports Arena. They were a part of the International Hockey League, and replaced the recently departed Flint Generals

Flint Generals (IHL)

The Flint Generals were a professional hockey team in Flint, Michigan from 1969–1985. They were members of the International Hockey League and played their home games at the IMA Sports Arena. Their team colors were originally black and gold, but they were changed to royal blue, gold, and white....

 team. They compiled an overall record of 162–220–28. During the 1990 season, the original Fort Wayne Komets

Fort Wayne Komets

The Fort Wayne Komets are a minor league ice hockey franchise currently a member of the Central Hockey League in the Northern Conference. The team was previously a member of the International Hockey League before it merged into the CHL in 2010...

 were moved to Albany

Albany, New York

Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...

, and a group from Fort Wayne, Indiana

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...

 purchased the Flint Spirits and relocated them to Fort Wayne in time to begin the season.

As seen in the logo to the right, the Spirits were once an affiliate of the New York Rangers

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...

.

Season-by-season results

Year	GP	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA	Pct	Standings
1985–1986	82	16	66	0	38	271	497	.232	10 of 10
1986–1987	82	42	33	7	91	343	361	.550	4 of 9
1987–1988	82	42	31	9	93	395	389	.567	4 of 9
1988–1989	82	22	54	6	50	287	428	.305	10 of 10
1989–1990	82	40	36	6	86	326	345	.518	4 of 9
Totals	410	162	220	28	358	1622	2020	.437

Notable NHL alumni

The Flint Spirits sent numerous players to the NHL in their five years of existence. The biggest names include:

John Cullen

John Cullen

John Cullen is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning. He was a standout player for Boston University and is the school's all-time leading scorer...

, co-winner of the 1987–88 Gary F. Longman Memorial Trophy

Gary F. Longman Memorial Trophy

The Gary F. Longman Memorial Trophy, was awarded annually by the International Hockey League to the most outstanding first year player as voted on by the league's coaches. Prior to 1968, the award was known as the Leading Rookie Award.-Winners:...

 with Saginaw's Ed Belfour

Ed Belfour

Edward John Belfour is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender.Belfour was born in Carman, Manitoba and grew up playing hockey. He played junior hockey for the Winkler Flyers before going to the University of North Dakota where he helped the school win the NCAA championship in the...

.

Ronnie Stern

Ronnie Stern

Ronnie Stern is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for 12 seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and San Jose Sharks.-Playing career:...

Darcy Wakaluk

Darcy Wakaluk

Darcy W. Wakaluk is a former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League from 1988 to 1997....

Rob Zamuner

Rob Zamuner

Robert F. Zamuner is a retired ice hockey forward, playing thirteen seasons in the NHL, most recently with the Boston Bruins.-Playing career:...

Mike Richter

Mike Richter

Michael Thomas Richter is a former ice hockey goaltender. One of the most successful American-born goaltenders in history, he is best known for having led the New York Rangers to the Stanley Cup title in 1994 and for repeatedly representing the United States in international play. Due to his...

Paul Broten

Paul Broten

Paul Newell Broten is a retired professional hockey player who played in 322 games in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Dallas Stars, and St. Louis Blues. He shoots right-handed and played right wing....

Peter Laviolette

Peter Laviolette

Peter Laviolette Jr. is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman and is the current head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League...

Jayson More

Jayson More

Jayson W. More is a former National Hockey League defenceman. He was drafted by the New York Rangers in the first round, 10th overall, of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft....

Kevin Miller

External links

• Flint Spirits statistics at The Internet Hockey Database