Hamilton Tigers
| Hamilton Tigers | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Founded | 1878 |
| History |
Quebec Bulldogs 1878–1920 Hamilton Tigers 1920–1925 |
| Home arena | Barton Street Arena |
| City | Hamilton, Ontario |
| Colors |
Black, Gold, and white |
Black, Gold, and white
The Hamilton Tigers were a professional ice hockey team, and a member of the National Hockey League (NHL), based in Hamilton, Ontario, that played from 1920–1925. The Tigers were formed from the sale of the Quebec Bulldogs NHL franchise to Hamilton interests. After years of struggling, the franchise finished first in the league in the 1924-25 NHL season. However, a players' strike after the season resulted in the franchise's dissolution. The players' contracts were sold to New York City interests to stock the expansion New York Americans. A name-sake amateur team existed prior, and during, the NHL team's existence and a minor league professional team named the Hamilton Tigers existed from 1926 until 1930.
The origins of the team go back to the old Quebec Hockey Club team, which started play in 1878. Originally an amateur team, it turned professional in 1909. Quebec was a charter member of the NHL in 1917, however, due to financial difficulties, and the NHA-NHL dispute, the Quebec franchise was dormant until the 1919-20 season, when it was operated by the Quebec Athletic Club. That season proved to be a dismal one; despite the presence of Joe Malone the club only finished with four wins in 24 games.
After the 1919–20 season, the NHL took back the Quebec franchise and sold the team to the Abso Pure Ice Company of Hamilton, Ontario. The club was moved to Hamilton for the 1920–21 season and renamed the Hamilton Tigers. This was done to prevent the startup of a rival league, which was trying to land a club in Hamilton. (see Eddie Livingstone) At the time, the NHL had no teams in the United States and no teams in Western Canada. Hamilton was the fifth-largest city in the country and third-largest in Central Canada (pop. 114,200) and therefore was considered a vital market. Percy Thompson, a part-owner and manager of the Barton Street Arena, would be the manager of the team.
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