Saginaw Spirit
| Saginaw Spirit | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| City | Saginaw, Michigan |
| League | Ontario Hockey League |
| Conference | Western |
| Division | West |
| Founded | 2002–03 |
| Home arena | Dow Event Center |
| Colors | Midnight blue, red, silver, white and yellow |
| Owner(s) | Richard J. Garber Chris Osgood Brandon Bordeaux |
| General manager | Dave Drinkill |
| Head coach | Spencer Carbery |
| Affiliate(s) | Leamington Flyers |
| Website | www.saginawspirit.com |
| Franchise history | |
| 1943–1947 | St. Catharines Falcons |
| 1947–1962 | St. Catharines Teepees |
| 1962–1976 | St. Catharines Black Hawks |
| 1976–1982 | Niagara Falls Flyers |
| 1982–2002 | North Bay Centennials |
| 2002–present | Saginaw Spirit |
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).
The Saginaw Spirit were born when Dick Garber, the owner of several local automobile dealerships, purchased the North Bay Centennials and moved the team to Saginaw after the 2001–02 season. Saginaw Spirit was named by an elementary school student attending Handley Elementary - a school for the gifted and talented - after a contest was held to name the new coming team.
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. Lead by Todd Watson, 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.
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