Central Hockey League (1979-1984)
International Hockey League (1984-1987)
Tombstone
Born: August 1, 1979 – The Fort Worth Texans relocate to Indianapolis, IN1Pickett, Bill. “Islanders Will Farm Here (And It’s Ice To Be Back). The Star (Indianapolis, IN). August 2, 1979
Suspended Operations: August 10, 19872Pickett, Bill. “Checkers won’t take ice this season”. The Star (Indianapolis, IN). August 11, 1987
Re-Branded: Summer 1988 (Indianapolis Ice)
First Game: October 10, 1979 (W 8-1 vs. Cincinnati Stingers)
Last Game: April 25, 1987 (L 3-1 vs. Fort Wayne Komets)
Adams Cup Champions (CHL): 1982 & 1983
Turner Cup Championships (IHL): None
Arenas
1979-1985: Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum (8,421)
1985-1987: Market Square Arena (15,900)31986-87 Indianapolis Checkers Program
Opened: 1974
Demolished: 2001
Marketing
Team Colors: Orange, Blue & White41986-87 Indianapolis Checkers Program
Ownership & Affiliation
- 1979-1984: New York Islanders
- 1984-1985: Al Savill
- 1985-1987: Larry Woods
NHL Affiliation:
- 1979-1986: New York Islanders
- 1984-1985: Boston Bruins
- 1984-1987: Minnesota North Stars
- 1986-1987: New Jersey Devils
Attendance
Attendance records for the CHL and the pre-1990 IHL are very spotty. We’ve only managed to piece together a couple of data points on Checkers attendance.
We know that the Checkers led the Central Hockey League in attendance during the 1979-80 debut season, but don’t know the exact figures. We also know the Checkers led the International League in attendance during their final season in 1986-87.
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Sources:
- Pickett, Bill. “Well-Stocked Checkers Begin Practice”. The Star (Indianapolis, IN). September 28, 1980 (1979-80 CHL league leader status)
- NO BYLINE. “Chex tops in attendance”. The Star (Indianapolis, IN). May 23, 1987 (1986-87 figures)
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Background
The Indianapolis Checkers were the top farm club of the NHL’s New York Islanders during the Isles’ NHL dynasty era of the early 1980’s. During the Checkers’ five years in the Central Hockey League, New York owned the club directly. The Islanders went to the Stanley Cup finals in all five of those seasons, winning four times. Meanwhile, the Checkers won the Adams Cup championship of the CHL in back-to-back seasons in 1982 and 1983.
Move To International Hockey League
In May of 1984, the Central Hockey League collapsed, leaving only the Checkers and the Salt Lake Golden Eagles able to go on. Both clubs were accepted into the International Hockey League that summer. As part of the transition, the Islanders sold the Checkers to former Pittsburgh Penguins owner Al Savill. Although the Islanders still sent a few prospects, they moved their primary farm club to Springfield, Massachusetts. The Checkers also received players from the Boston Bruins and Minnesota North Stars.
Demise & Replacement by Indianapolis Ice
In 1985, Savill sold the team to Larry Woods. Woods moved the Checkers out of their long-time home at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum into the massive and more expensive Market Square Arena. The Checkers played two seasons at Market Square before shutting down due to heavy financial losses in the summer of 1987. The IHL allowed Woods to take a one-year suspension while retaining his franchise rights.
In early 1988 Woods sold his IHL franchise rights to Chicago businessman Horn Chen. Chen re-branded the team the Indianapolis Ice and re-activated it for entry into the IHL’s 1988-89 season. The Ice won the Turner Cup in 1990.
The IHL went out of business in the spring of 2001. The Ice, who self-relegated to the cheaper Central Hockey League in 1999, played their final season of pro hockey in 2003-04.
Indianapolis Checkers Shop
Checkers Mug from Vintage Ice Hockey
Links
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4 Responses
My name is Ricky Davis i use to work the Indpls Checkers their last year here n Indy
My name is Sheila Bedell and I was Vice-President during the Larry Woods ownership.
Rickey, Do you remember what the crest for the home white jerseys looked like? I have a game jersey (a Goalie cut #1 NNOB) and I’m trying to track it down.
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