Misplaced Pages

Toledo Goaldiggers

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Former professional minor league ice hockey team in Toledo, Ohio
Toledo Goaldiggers
CityToledo, Ohio
LeagueIHL
Operated1974–1986
Home arenaToledo Sports Arena
ColorsKelly green, gold, & white
     
Franchise history
1974–1986Toledo Goaldiggers
1990–2001Kansas City Blades
Championships
Regular season titles2 (1981–82, 1982–83)
Division titles2 (1976–77, 1982–83)
Turner Cups4 (1974–75, 1977–78, 1981–82, 1982–83)

The Toledo Goaldiggers were a minor professional ice hockey club based in Toledo, Ohio, from 1974 to 1986. They played in the International Hockey League (IHL) and held their home games at the Toledo Sports Arena on the east side of Toledo. Prior to the Goaldiggers, Toledo had two minor league franchises: The Mercurys (1947–1962) and Blades/Hornets (1963–1974).

History

During their 12-year history, the Goaldiggers qualified for the post season 10 times, reaching the playoff finals six times (1975, 1977, 1978, 1982, 1983 and 1984) winning four Turner Cup playoff championships (1975, 1978, 1982, and 1983). Also, the "Diggers" won two regular season championships (Fred A. Huber, Jr. Memorial Trophy) finishing with the most points in the IHL two consecutive seasons (1981–82 and 1982–83).

In 1981, Bill Beagan became a partial owner and the general manager of the Goaldiggers. Under his management, the team won Turner Cup championships during the 1981–82 IHL season and the 1982–83 IHL season.

After the 1985–86 season the franchise was forced to suspend operations due to financial difficulties and poor attendance. The dormant franchise was eventually sold to Russ and Diane Parker and moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where they became the Kansas City Blades in 1990.

Season-by-season record

Turner Cup champions † League leader in points * Division champions ¤
Season Division Regular season Post season
Finish GP W L T SOL Pts GF GA GP W L GF GA Result
1974–75 South 3rd 76 34 38 4 — 72 285 275 19 12 7 83 73 Won in quarterfinals, 4–1 (Columbus)
Won in semifinals, 4–3 (Dayton)
Won in Turner Cup finals, 4–3 (Saginaw) †
1975–76 South 3rd 78 27 37 14 — 68 269 293 4 0 4 14 23 Lost in quarterfinals, 0–4 (Fort Wayne)
1976–77 South ¤ 1st 78 40 31 7 — 87 321 317 19 11 8 73 78 Won in quarterfinals, 4–3 (Columbus)
Won in semifinals, 4–1 (Fort Wayne)
Lost in Turner Cup finals, 3–4 (Saginaw)
1977–78 South 2nd 80 34 28 18 — 86 331 316 13 8 5 82 51 Won in quarterfinals, 4–1 (Milwaukee)
Won in semifinals, 4–1 (Fort Wayne)
Won in Turner Cup finals, 4–2 (Port Huron) †
1978–79 South 3rd 80 35 32 13 — 83 320 302 6 2 4 21 30 Lost in quarterfinals, 2–4 (Fort Wayne)
1979–80 South 2nd 80 28 34 18 — 74 293 345 4 0 4 7 25 Lost in quarterfinals, 0–4 (Fort Wayne)
1980–81 East 4th 82 26 47 9 — 61 303 392 — — — — — Did not qualify
1981–82 — 1st 82 53 24 4 1 111* 407 320 13 10 3 64 48 Won in quarterfinals, 4–0 (Flint)
Advanced in semifinals, 2–2 (Saginaw, Toledo advance, Fort Wayne eliminated)
Won in Turner Cup finals, 4–1 (Saginaw) †
1982–83 East ¤ 1st 82 51 20 10 1 113* 362 269 11 8 3 61 35 Advanced in quarterfinals (bye)
Won in semifinals, 4–1 (Fort Wayne)
Won in Turner Cup finals, 4–2 (Milwaukee) †
1983–84 — 4th 82 41 32 5 4 91 326 318 13 6 7 48 49 Won in quarterfinals, 2–1 (Kalamazoo)
Won in semifinals, 4–2 (Fort Wayne)
Lost in Turner Cup finals, 0–4 (Flint)
1984–85 East 4th 82 32 42 5 3 72 292 362 6 2 4 15 26 Lost in quarterfinals, 2–4 (Muskegon)
1985–86 East 4th 82 24 48 0 10 58 293 421 — — — — — Did not qualify
12 seasons 2 division titles
2 Huber Trophies 		964 425 413 107 19 976
(.506) 		3,802 3,930 108 59 49 468 438 10 playoff appearances
4 Turner Cup championships

Franchise records

All-time leaders

Goals
1 Dave Falkenberg 177
2 Jim McCabe 169
3 Dirk Graham 159
4 Ian MacPhee 140
5 Paul Tantardini 115
Assists
1 Dave Falkenberg 261
2 Jim McCabe 236
3 Paul Tantardini 210
4 Ian MacPhee 193
5 Bill Joyce 166
Points
1 Dave Falkenberg 438
2 Jim McCabe 405
3 Ian MacPhee 333
4 Paul Tantardini 325
5 Dirk Graham 315

References

  1. "Bill Beagan". Bobby Orr Hall of Fame. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  2. "Toledo Goaldiggers Statistics and History". HockeyDB.
  3. http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_players.php?tmi=8460 Toledo Goaldiggers all-time player roster

External links

Preceded byToledo Hornets Professional Hockey Team in
Toledo, Ohio
1974–1986 		Succeeded byToledo Storm
Preceded byDes Moines Capitols Turner Cup
champions
1974–75 		Succeeded byDayton Gems
Preceded bySaginaw Gears Turner Cup
champions
1977–78 		Succeeded byKalamazoo Wings
Preceded byKalamazoo Wings Huber Trophy
champions
1981–82, 1982–83 		Succeeded byFort Wayne Komets
Preceded bySaginaw Gears Turner Cup
champions
1981–82, 1982–83 		Succeeded byFlint Generals
International Hockey League (1945–2001)
Teams
Trophies and
awards


Stub icon

This American ice hockey team-related article is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it.

Stub icon

This article about a sports team in Ohio is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it.

Categories: