Eastern Hockey League (1979-1981)
Tombstone
Born: September 12, 1979 – EHL expansion franchise
Re-Branded: September 1981 (Baltimore Skipjacks)
First Game: October 24, 1979 (L 4-1 @ Erie Blades)
Last Game: April 11, 1981 (L 5-1 @ Erie Blades)
Mitchell Cup Championships: None
Arena
Baltimore Civic Center (11,000)
Opened: 1962
Branding
Team Colors: Green, White & Yellow
Ownership
Owners: Baltimore Hockey Advocates (James Watson, et. al) & Minnesota North Stars
Background
The Baltimore Clippers name was a proud one in minor league hockey, used by several clubs operating in various different leagues from 1944 until 1977. The longest tenured and most successful of these teams were the Clippers of the American Hockey League (1962-1975). But the Clips fell on hard times in the mid-1970’s, shifting leagues and folding several times amidst the market upheaval caused by the NHL-WHA competition and the overall hard times for the minor league hockey business in the 1970’s.
This 1979 incarnation – dubbed “The New Baltimore Clippers” on the program above right – was the final attempt to restore the Clippers name. The Eastern Hockey League franchise was owned jointly by the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL and a group of 19 local investors and hockey boosters known as Baltimore Hockey Advocates. The club served as a farm club for the North Stars and took their green, white & yellow color scheme from the parent club.
On The Ice
The 1979-80 Clippers team advanced to the Eastern Hockey League championship series, where they fell to the defending champion Erie Blades four games to one in the Mitchell Cup finals.
The Clippers’ top scorer during the 1979-80 season was Warren Young (53 goals, 53 assists). Young later went on to have a 40-goal season with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL in 1984-85. Clippers Head Coach and General Manager Gene Ubriaco went on to coach the Penguins in the late 1980’s.
During the 1980-81 season, the Erie Blades once again cut down the Clippers in the playoffs, this time knocking out Baltimore in the semi-final round.
Clips to Skips
The Eastern Hockey League folded in July 1981. Baltimore Hockey Advocates decided to keep the club going in the new Atlantic Coast Hockey League, but dropped the historic Clippers name in favor of a new identity: the Baltimore Skipjacks.
Links
Eastern Hockey League Programs
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