International Hockey League (1974-1975)
Tombstone
Born: May 10, 1974 – The Toledo Hornets relocate to Lansing, MI
Folded: January 15, 1975
First Game: October 18, 1974 (L 4-1 @ Toledo Goaldiggers)
Last Game: January 15, 1975 (L 8-2 @ Muskegon Mohawks)
Turner Cup Championships: None
Arena
Metro Ice Arena (900)
Branding
Team Colors: Purple, Gold, Black and White
Ownership
Owner: Paul Bright
Background
In May of 1974, Toledo Hornets owner Paul Bright gave up on the city of Toledo and moved his International Hockey League franchise to Lansing, Michigan. Renamed the Lansing Lancers, the club’s new home would be the city’s brand new Metro Ice Arena. But financial issues left the Metro Arena unfinished. The seating capacity was curtailed to a mere 900 seats.
The Lancers wouldn’t even need that many. By the middle of the 1974-75, the Lancers were in deep distress, playing before a near-empty stands and contemplating a midseason move to Grand Rapids. When Bright’s fellow IHL owners refused to approve a midseason shift to Grand Rapids, the club folded on January 15, 1975, having played just 41 games out of a planned 75-game regular season. The Lancers’ final record was 12-28-1.
The Lancers were the first IHL in 20 years to fail to complete a season. Pro hockey has never returned to Lansing.
No Lansing Lancers players ever skated in the NHL. Two Lancers, John Gravel and Terry Ryan, played one season each in the major league World Hockey Association.
Lansing Lancers Shop
Links
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2 Responses
If memory serves me right, I’ve been a long time Columbus Ohio hockey fan, checker seals owls, I believe Columbus picked up a player name Gerry Eggers when Lancing folded. Does anybody know where my correct. I think they picked up other players too but I can’t remember their names. I remember seeing Lansing playing at the old barn in Columbus Ohio.
According to hockeydb.com, you are correct. Correct spelling is Egers I believe. He played for the Toledo Goaldiggers, the team I followed. Those were the days.