Flint Generals (1969-1985)

International Hockey League (1969-1985)

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Flint Generals IHL Logo T-Shirt

There are quite a few teams covered here on Fun While It Lasted that have used the “Generals” name. What makes the International Hockey League’s Flint Generals unique is that they did not use the name in a militaristic context. For Flint hockey fans of the 1970’s and 80’s, the Generals name referenced the Michigan city’s close ties to (and economic dependence upon) General Motors.

 

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Background

The Flint Generals were the long-time minor league hockey franchise for the auto-making city of Flint, Michigan.  The club derived its name from the city’s once close association with General Motors.  The Generals competed in the International Hockey League against a slate of Rust Belt opponents from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.

The Generals finest hour came in the spring of 1984.  Flint swept the Toledo Goaldiggers in a best-of-7 series to win their first and only Turner Cup championship.

A little over a year later, the Generals left town after a dispute with IMA Sports Arena over weekend playing dates.  The Generals moved to Saginaw, Michigan in July 1985.  The franchise eventually folded in 1989 after four years in Saginaw.

Flint Generals Shop

Flint Generals Video

Fantastic archival video of the Generals’ 1984 Turner Cup Finals victory over the Toledo Goaldiggers from WNEM TV5.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation documentary feature on the Flint Generals from the 1981-82 season

Links

International Hockey League Media Guides

International Hockey League Programs

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