Saginaw Spirit
Encyclopedia
{Hockey team|CAN_eng = 1
| team = Saginaw Spirit
| colour = #00285D
| colour text = silver
| logo = Saginaw Spirit Logo.svg
| logosize = 150px
| city = Saginaw, Michigan
| league = Ontario Hockey League
| conference = Western
| division = West
| founded =
The Saginaw Spirit is a major junior ice hockey
team based in Saginaw
, Michigan
. They are members of the West Division of the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League
(OHL), one of the Major Junior leagues of the Canadian Hockey League
(CHL).
dealerships, purchased the North Bay Centennials
and moved the team to Saginaw after the 2001–02 season, renaming it the Saginaw Spirit.
The team traces its roots back to St. Catharines, Ontario
, where it played as the Falcons, Teepees, and Black Hawks from 1943–1976. It won two Memorial Cup
championships as the Teepees, in 1954 and 1960. In 1976, the franchise moved to nearby Niagara Falls
, where it was known as the Flyers. In 1982, the team was moved again, this time to North Bay
, and renamed the Centennials, where it remained until moving to Saginaw in 2002.
The 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 Spirit clinched their first playoff berth on March 2, 2006, but lost in the first round to the Guelph Storm
. They made the playoffs the following two seasons, but lost to the division rival Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
both times, in six games in 2007 and in four games in 2008. In 2009, the Spirit won their first playoff series since relocating to Saginaw, sweeping Guelph in four games. They were then swept in the second round by the London Knights
.
(IHL), and spent time coaching the Flint Generals
, Saginaw Generals & Kalamazoo Wings
all in Michigan. In total, there have been four coaches in Saginaw Spirit history to date.
List of coaches. Numbers of seasons in parentheses.
with the colors of the Stars and Stripes
along its neck, on the words "Saginaw Spirit." The uniform scheme is similar to that previously used by the U.S.A. national team
. 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 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.
. The team held a vote on their website to name a new secondary mascot for the 2006–07 season. The mascot was named Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle after Stephen Colbert
. Colbert had promoted the contest on his show, The Colbert Report. After naming the mascot after Colbert, the Spirit won seven straight games before losing to the Sarnia Sting
on October 20. 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.
food stores sponsor the Mid Michigan Spirit, a women's hockey club based in Midland, Michigan
. 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 and once again took second at the MAHA state tournament in Canton, Michigan on March 9, 2008.
| team = Saginaw Spirit
| colour = #00285D
| colour text = silver
| logo = Saginaw Spirit Logo.svg
| logosize = 150px
| city = Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan...
| league = Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
| conference = Western
Western Conference (OHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the Ontario Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference.The trophy that's awarded to the conference champion , is the Wayne Gretzky Trophy...
| division = West
| founded =
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team based in Saginaw
Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. They are members of the West Division of the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
(OHL), one of the Major Junior leagues of the Canadian Hockey League
Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
(CHL).
History
The Saginaw Spirit were born when Dick Garber, the owner of several local automobileAutomobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
dealerships, purchased the North Bay Centennials
North Bay Centennials
The North Bay Centennials were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, who played from 1982–2002. The team was based in North Bay, Ontario.-History:...
and moved the team to Saginaw after the 2001–02 season, renaming it the Saginaw Spirit.
The team traces its roots back to St. Catharines, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, where it played as the Falcons, Teepees, and Black Hawks from 1943–1976. It won two Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
championships as the Teepees, in 1954 and 1960. In 1976, the franchise moved to nearby Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls is a Canadian city on the Niagara River in the Golden Horseshoe region of Southern Ontario. The municipality was incorporated on June 12, 1903...
, where it was known as the Flyers. In 1982, the team was moved again, this time to North Bay
North Bay, Ontario
North Bay is a city in Northeastern Ontario, Canada. It is the seat of Nipissing District, and takes its name from its position on the shore of Lake Nipissing.-History:...
, and renamed the Centennials, where it remained until moving to Saginaw in 2002.
The 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 Spirit clinched their first playoff berth on March 2, 2006, but lost in the first round to the Guelph Storm
Guelph Storm
The Guelph Storm is a major junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. They have played in the OHL since the 1991–92 season. The team plays home games at the Sleeman Centre.-History:...
. They made the playoffs the following two seasons, but lost to the division rival Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey...
both times, in six games in 2007 and in four games in 2008. In 2009, the Spirit won their first playoff series since relocating to Saginaw, sweeping Guelph in four games. They were then swept in the second round by the London Knights
London Knights
The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League.-Early days–1968:...
.
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 GearsSaginaw Gears (IHL)
The Saginaw Gears were a minor-league ice hockey franchise that played in the defunct International Hockey League . The Gears existed from 1972 to 1983...
(IHL), and spent time coaching the Flint Generals
Flint Generals
The Flint Generals were a professional ice hockey team based in Flint, Michigan.They were a member of the International Hockey League and played their home games at Perani Arena and Event Center in Flint, Michigan....
, Saginaw Generals & Kalamazoo Wings
Kalamazoo Wings
The Kalamazoo Wings, nicknamed the K-Wings, are a mid-level professional ice hockey team in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A member of the ECHL's Eastern Conference, North Division, they play in the 5,113-seat Wings Stadium....
all in Michigan. 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 ManthaMoe Mantha, Jr.Maurice William Mantha, Jr. is a retired American-born Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman and former coach who played twelve seasons in the National Hockey League with the Winnipeg Jets, Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota North Stars and Philadelphia Flyers.-Playing...
- 2004–05 - Doug LidsterDoug LidsterJohn Douglas Andrew Lidster is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL...
/ Bob ManciniBob ManciniBob Mancini is a current regional manager for the USA Hockey American Development Model and the former head coach and assistant coach at the collegiate, International, and junior levels.-Coaching career:... - 2005–07 - Bob ManciniBob ManciniBob Mancini is a current regional manager for the USA Hockey American Development Model and the former head coach and assistant coach at the collegiate, International, and junior levels.-Coaching career:...
(3) - 2007–present - Todd WatsonTodd WatsonTodd Watson is the current head coach of the Saginaw Spirit, who play in the Ontario Hockey League. He has been the club's head coach since 2007. In the 2009 playoffs, Watson led the Spirit to their first ever playoff series victory, as they swept the Guelph Storm in the conference quarter-finals...
Award winners
- 2003–04 - Patrick McNeillPatrick McNeillPatrick McNeill is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League.-Playing career:...
, Jack Ferguson AwardJack Ferguson AwardThe Jack Ferguson Award, or "Fergie", is awarded each year to the top draft pick in the Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection Draft. The trophy is named in honour of Jack Ferguson, a former director of OHL Central Scouting.-Winners:...
-1st overall OHL Priority Draft Selection
- 2005–06 - Ryan Daniels, F.W. "Dinty" Moore Trophy -Best Rookie GAA
- 2005–06 - Craig Goslin, OHL Executive of the YearOHL Executive of the YearThe OHL Executive of the Year Award is given annually to the top executive in the Ontario Hockey League.-Winners:*2010–11 Dale DeGray, Owen Sound Attack*2009–10 Rick Gaetz, Guelph Storm*2008–09 Warren Rychel, Windsor Spitfires...
- 2006–07 - Tom PyattTom PyattThomas Cullum Pyatt is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently with Tampa Bay Lightning . He is the son of former NHL player Nelson Pyatt and brother of Phoenix Coyotes forward Taylor Pyatt.-Playing career:...
, William Hanley TrophyWilliam Hanley TrophyThe William Hanley Trophy is awarded to the Ontario Hockey League's Most Sportsmanlike Player. It is named for William Hanley, a former secretary-manager of the Ontario Hockey Association who served in that capacity for twenty-five years...
-Most Sportsmanlike Player of the Year
- 2006–07 - Craig Goslin, OHL Executive of the YearOHL Executive of the YearThe OHL Executive of the Year Award is given annually to the top executive in the Ontario Hockey League.-Winners:*2010–11 Dale DeGray, Owen Sound Attack*2009–10 Rick Gaetz, Guelph Storm*2008–09 Warren Rychel, Windsor Spitfires...
NHL alumni
Since 2002 the Saginaw Spirit have graduated ten players who have played in the National Hockey League.
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Current squad
Roster updated as of November 24, 2011| Goaltenders | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | |Player | Glove | Acquired | NHL Draft | Place of birth | |
| 1 |  Czech Republic |
Tadeas Galansky | L | Saginaw Spirit 2009 | Undrafted | Brno, Czech Republic |
| 57 |  Canada |
Jake Paterson | L | Saginaw Spirit 2010 | 2012 | Mississauga, Ontario Mississauga, Ontario Mississauga is a city in Southern Ontario located in the Regional Municipality of Peel, and in the western part of the Greater Toronto Area. With an estimated population of 734,000, it is Canada's sixth-most populous municipality, and has almost doubled in population in each of the last two decades... |
| Defensemen | ||||||
| Number | Player | Shoots | Acquired | NHL Draft | Place of birth | |
| 2 |  |
O/A Brad Walch - A | L | Saginaw Spirit 2007 | Undrafted | Saginaw, Michigan Saginaw, Michigan Saginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan... |
| 3 | |
Brandon Archibald | R | Trade SSM Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds The Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The Greyhounds play home games at the Essar Centre. The present team was founded in 1962 as a team in the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. The Greyhounds name has been used by several ice hockey... 2011 |
CBJ Columbus Blue Jackets The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... 2010 2010 NHL Entry Draft The 2010 NHL Entry Draft was the 48th NHL Entry Draft, held on June 25–26, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, home arena of the Los Angeles Kings. This was the first time Los Angeles hosted the NHL Entry Draft. An unofficial record of 11 American-trained players were selected in... |
Port Huron, Michigan Port Huron, Michigan Port Huron is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of St. Clair County. The population was 30,184 at the 2010 census. The city is adjacent to Port Huron Township but is administratively autonomous. It is joined by the Blue Water Bridge over the St. Clair River to Sarnia,... |
| 14 | |
Jamie Oleksiak Jamie Oleksiak Jamie Oleksiak is a Canadian-American ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Saginaw Spirit team which competes in Ontario Hockey League.... |
L | Saginaw Spirit 2008 | DAL Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The... 2011 2011 NHL Entry Draft The 2011 NHL Entry Draft was the 49th NHL Entry Draft. It was held on June 24–25, 2011, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was the first time the Draft was held in the state of Minnesota since the Minnesota North Stars hosted the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.The top three picks consisted... |
Toronto, Ontario |
| 21 | Canada |
Ryan O'Connor - C | R | Trade BAR Barrie Colts The Barrie Colts are a junior ice hockey team in Ontario Hockey League, based in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. There were two previous Barrie Colts team which played Junior A & B hockey in the Ontario Hockey Association, one from 1907 until 1910 and another from the 1920s to 1940s.-Original Colts:The... 2009 |
Undrafted | Hamilton, Ontario Hamilton, Ontario Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe... |
| 24 | |
Steven Strong | L | Trade BEL Belleville Bulls The Belleville Bulls are a junior ice hockey team, founded in 1981 based in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. The team plays in the Eastern Division of the Eastern Conference of the Ontario Hockey League.-History:... 2011 |
Undrafted | Mississauga, Ontario Mississauga, Ontario Mississauga is a city in Southern Ontario located in the Regional Municipality of Peel, and in the western part of the Greater Toronto Area. With an estimated population of 734,000, it is Canada's sixth-most populous municipality, and has almost doubled in population in each of the last two decades... |
| 77 | United States |
Dalton Young | L | Free Agent 2010 | Undrafted | Marysville, Michigan Marysville, Michigan Marysville is a city in St. Clair County of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 9,684 at the 2000 census.-Geography:* According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.* It is considered to be part of the Thumb of... |
| 79 | Canada |
Jacub Ringuette | L | Saginaw Spirit 2010 | 2012 | Goderich, Ontario Goderich, Ontario Goderich is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario and is the county seat of Huron County. The town was founded by William "Tiger" Dunlop in 1827. First laid out in 1828, the town is named after Frederick John Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich, who was British prime minister at the time. The town... |
| 92 | |
Ramon Lopez | R | Saginaw Spirit 2011 | 2013 | Ft. Lauderdale, Florida |
| Forwards | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | |Player | Shoots | Position | Acquired | NHL Draft | Place of birth | |
| 5 | United States |
Garrett Ross | L | LW | Free Agent 2009 | Undrafted | Dearborn, Michigan Dearborn, Michigan -Economy:Ford Motor Company has its world headquarters in Dearborn. In addition its Dearborn campus contains many research, testing, finance and some production facilities. Ford Land controls the numerous properties owned by Ford including sales and leasing to unrelated businesses such as the... |
| 6 | |
John McFarland - A | R | C | Trade SUD Sudbury Wolves The Sudbury Wolves are the name of the ice hockey team from Sudbury, Ontario. Sudbury has had a hockey team known as the "Wolves" nearly every year since World War I. The Sudbury Wolves, the senior men's AAA team, have twice been chosen to be Canada's representatives at the Ice Hockey World... 2010 |
FLA Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the... 2010 2010 NHL Entry Draft The 2010 NHL Entry Draft was the 48th NHL Entry Draft, held on June 25–26, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, home arena of the Los Angeles Kings. This was the first time Los Angeles hosted the NHL Entry Draft. An unofficial record of 11 American-trained players were selected in... |
Richmond Hill, Ontario Richmond Hill, Ontario Richmond Hill is a town located in Southern Ontario, Canada in the central portion of York Region, Ontario. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area, being located about halfway between Toronto and Lake Simcoe... |
| 8 | |
Jimmy Lodge | R | C | Saginaw Spirit 2011 | 2013 | Downingtown, Pennsylvania Downingtown, Pennsylvania Downingtown is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, west of Philadelphia. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 7,891. Downingtown was settled by English and European colonists in the early 18th century and has a number of historic buildings and structures.-History:The town was... |
| 9 | Canada |
Justin Kea | L | C | Saginaw Spirit 2010 | 2012 | Woodville, Ontario Woodville, Ontario Woodville is a community in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, Canada. It is located west of Lindsay. Population is approx. 900.-History:Known in the late 19th century as Irish Corners, the name of the town was changed to Woodville after the completion of the post office under postmaster John Morrison... |
| 11 |  |
Vadim Khlopotov | R | C | Saginaw Spirit 2011 | 2012 | Nizhny Tagil, Russia Nizhny Tagil Nizhny Tagil is a city in Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia, situated east of the virtual border between Europe and Asia. Population: -History:... |
| 15 | Canada |
Anthony Camara | L | LW | Saginaw Spirit 2009 | BOS Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... 2011 2011 NHL Entry Draft The 2011 NHL Entry Draft was the 49th NHL Entry Draft. It was held on June 24–25, 2011, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was the first time the Draft was held in the state of Minnesota since the Minnesota North Stars hosted the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.The top three picks consisted... |
Toronto, Ontario |
| 16 | Canada |
Terry Trafford | L | C | Saginaw Spirit 2010 | 2012 | Toronto, Ontario |
| 17 | |
Carlos Amestoy | R | C | Trade GUE Guelph Storm The Guelph Storm is a major junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. They have played in the OHL since the 1991–92 season. The team plays home games at the Sleeman Centre.-History:... 2011 |
Undrafted | Toronto, Ontario |
| 19 | |
Ryan Tuffin | L | LW | Saginaw Spirit 2010 | 2012 | London, Ontario London, Ontario London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city... |
| 20 | |
Dean Pawlaczyk (suspeneded) | R | LW | Waivers SAR Sarnia Sting The Sarnia Sting are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They play out of the RBC Centre, formerly the Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.-History:... 2011 |
Undrafted | Madison Heights, Michigan Madison Heights, Michigan Madison Heights is a city in Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a suburb of Detroit. As of the 2010 census, its population was 29,694.- History :... |
| 22 | United States |
Brandon Saad Brandon Saad Brandon Saad is an American ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League. He was raised in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. He is American of Syrian descent... (injured) |
R | C | Saginaw Spirit 2008 | CHI Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10... 2011 2011 NHL Entry Draft The 2011 NHL Entry Draft was the 49th NHL Entry Draft. It was held on June 24–25, 2011, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was the first time the Draft was held in the state of Minnesota since the Minnesota North Stars hosted the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.The top three picks consisted... |
Gibsonia, Pennsylvania Gibsonia, Pennsylvania Gibsonia is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Allegheny County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, north of the city of Pittsburgh. It had a population of 2,733 at the 2010 census. Its ZIP Code is 15044.-Geography:... |
| 25 | Canada |
O/A Josh Shalla - A | L | LW | Trade GUE Guelph Storm The Guelph Storm is a major junior ice hockey team based in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. They have played in the OHL since the 1991–92 season. The team plays home games at the Sleeman Centre.-History:... 2009 |
NSH Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... 2011 2011 NHL Entry Draft The 2011 NHL Entry Draft was the 49th NHL Entry Draft. It was held on June 24–25, 2011, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was the first time the Draft was held in the state of Minnesota since the Minnesota North Stars hosted the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.The top three picks consisted... |
Whitby, Ontario Whitby, Ontario Whitby is a town in Durham Region. Whitby is located in Southern Ontario east of Toronto on the north shore of Lake Ontario, and is home to the headquarters of Durham Region... |
| 72 | |
O/A Michael Fine | L | RW | Trade KNG Kingston Frontenacs The Kingston Frontenacs are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League, based in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The team is coached by Todd Gill and Doug Gilmour is the General Manager. The Frontenacs play home games at the K-Rock Centre, which opened in 2008.Team history predates the OHA,... 2011 |
Undrafted | North York, Ontario North York, Ontario North York is a dissolved municipality within the current city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Geographically, it comprises the central part of the northern section of Toronto. As of the 2006 Census, it has a population of 635,370. The official 2001 census count was 608,288... |
| 89 | United States |
Vincent Trocheck Vincent Trocheck Vincent Trocheck is an American ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League. He was selected by the Florida Panthers in the 3rd round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.... |
R | C | Saginaw Spirit 2009 | FLA Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the... 2011 2011 NHL Entry Draft The 2011 NHL Entry Draft was the 49th NHL Entry Draft. It was held on June 24–25, 2011, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was the first time the Draft was held in the state of Minnesota since the Minnesota North Stars hosted the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.The top three picks consisted... |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States... |
| 91 | |
Nick Moutrey | L | LW | Saginaw Spirit 2011 | 2013 | Shelburne, Ontario Shelburne, Ontario Shelburne, Ontario is a town in Dufferin County, Ontario, Canada, located at the intersection of Highway 10 and Highway 89... |
| 95 | |
Sam Povorozniouk | R | C | Saginaw Spirit 2011 | 2013 | Northbrook, Illinois Northbrook, Illinois Northbrook is a village located at the northern edge of Cook County, Illinois, which is also a North Shore suburb of Chicago. The population was 33,170 at the 2010 census.... |
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 | 207 | 2010-11 |
| Most goals against | 275 | 2002–03 |
| Individual player records for a single season | |||
| Statistic | Player | Total | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most goals | Josh Shalla | 47 | 2010-11 |
| Most assists | Jordan Skellett | 62 | 2009–10 |
| Most points | Jack Combs Jack Combs (ice hockey) Jack Combs is an American professional ice hockey player. He is currently playing for the Colorado Eagles in the ECHL.Prior to turning professional, Combs played five seasons of major junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League.... |
100 | 2007–08 |
| Most points, rookie | Jan Mursak Jan Mursak Jan Muršak is a professional Slovenian ice hockey forward currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League . Muršak first played hockey in Slovenia as a member of HDK Maribor before he left to spend one season in the Czech junior league... |
80 | 2006–07 |
| Most points, defenseman | Patrick McNeill Patrick McNeill Patrick McNeill is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League.-Playing career:... |
77 | 2006–07 |
| Best GAA, goalie | Ryan Daniels | 2.94 | 2006–07 |
| Goalies = minimum 1500 minutes played | |||
Regular season
Legend: OTL = Overtime loss, SL = Shootout loss| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Games | Won | Lost | Tied | OTL | SL | Points | Pct % | Goals For |
Goals Against |
Standing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–03 | 68 | 11 | 45 | 5 | 7 | – | 34 | 0.250 | 158 | 275 | 5th West |
| 2003–04 | 68 | 16 | 45 | 3 | 4 | – | 39 | 0.287 | 161 | 228 | 5th West |
| 2004–05 | 68 | 18 | 42 | 4 | 4 | – | 44 | 0.324 | 150 | 260 | 4th West |
| 2005–06 | 68 | 36 | 30 | – | 2 | 0 | 74 | 0.544 | 242 | 246 | 2nd West |
| 2006–07 | 68 | 44 | 21 | – | 0 | 3 | 91 | 0.669 | 291 | 217 | 2nd West |
| 2007–08 2007–08 OHL season The 2007–08 OHL season was the 28th season of the Ontario Hockey League. Twenty teams played 68 games each during the schedule, that started on September 19, 2007, and concluded on March 16, 2008.... |
68 | 33 | 25 | – | 8 | 2 | 76 | 0.559 | 234 | 231 | 4th West |
| 2008–09 2008–09 OHL season The 2008–09 OHL season was the 29th season of the Ontario Hockey League . Twenty teams played 68 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on September 17, 2008 and concluded on March 15, 2009.... |
68 | 36 | 24 | – | 4 | 4 | 80 | 0.588 | 235 | 219 | 2nd West |
| 2009–10 2009–10 OHL season The 2009–10 OHL season was the 30th season of the Ontario Hockey League . Twenty teams played 68 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on September 17, 2009 and ended on March 14, 2010.... |
68 | 34 | 27 | – | 4 | 3 | 75 | 0.551 | 240 | 230 | 4th West |
| 2010–11 2010–11 OHL season The 2010–11 OHL season is the 31st season of the Ontario Hockey League . Twenty teams played 68 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on September 23, 2010 and ended on March 20, 2011.... |
68 | 40 | 22 | – | 4 | 2 | 86 | 0.632 | 243 | 207 | 1st 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.
- 2008–09 Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 0 in conference quarter-finals.
Lost to London Knights 4 games to 0 in conference semi-finals. - 2009–10 Lost to Kitchener Rangers 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
- 2010–11 Defeated Guelph Storm 4 games to 2 in conference quarter-finals.
Lost to Windsor Spitfires 4 games to 2 in conference semi-finals.
Uniforms and logos
The Saginaw Spirit logo depicts an American bald eagleBald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
with the colors of the Stars and Stripes
Flag of the United States
The national flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars alternating with rows...
along its neck, on the words "Saginaw Spirit." The uniform scheme is similar to that previously used by the U.S.A. national team
USA Hockey
USA Hockey is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for amateur ice hockey in the United States and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. The organization is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has...
. 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 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 eagleBald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
. The team held a vote on their website to name a new secondary mascot for the 2006–07 season. The mascot was named Steagle Colbeagle the Eagle after Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert (character)
The Reverend / Sir / Dr. / Stephen T. Colbert, D.F.A., brain-child of Google, is the persona of political satirist Stephen Colbert, as portrayed on Comedy Central's The Colbert Report. Described as a "well-intentioned, poorly informed high-status idiot", the character is a self-obsessed right-wing...
. Colbert had promoted the contest on his show, The Colbert Report. After naming the mascot after Colbert, the Spirit won seven straight games before losing to the Sarnia Sting
Sarnia Sting
The Sarnia Sting are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They play out of the RBC Centre, formerly the Sarnia Sports and Entertainment Centre in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
on October 20. 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
Oshawa Generals
The Oshawa Generals are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. They are based in Oshawa, Ontario. The team is named for General Motors, an early sponsor which has its Canadian headquarters in Oshawa. The Generals are one of the most successful franchises in Canadian Hockey League...
, and Oshawa
Oshawa
Oshawa is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario approximately 60 kilometres east of downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of both the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe. It is now commonly referred to as the most...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
John Gray.
Arena
The Spirit play at Wendler Arena (capacity 5,527), which is part of The Dow Event Center complex 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 MeijerMeijer
Meijer, Inc. is a regional American hypermarket chain based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1934 as a supermarket chain, Meijer is credited with pioneering the modern supercenter concept in 1962. About half of the company's 196 stores are located in Michigan, with additional locations in...
food stores sponsor the Mid Michigan Spirit, a women's hockey club based in Midland, Michigan
Midland, Michigan
Midland is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan in the Tri-Cities region of the state. It is the county seat of Midland County. The city's population was 41,863 as of the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Midland Micropolitan Statistical Area....
. 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 and once again took second at the MAHA state tournament in Canton, Michigan on March 9, 2008.
External links
- www.saginawspirit.com Saginaw Spirit official site
- Ontario Hockey League Official web site
- Canadian Hockey League Official web site