United States Hockey League (1961-1963)
International Hockey League (1963-1972)
Tombstone
Born:
Re-Branded: July 6, 1972 (Des Moines Capitols)
First Game: November 12, 1961 (W 10-1 vs. Milwaukee Metros)
Last Game: March 24, 1972 (L 5-1 vs. Fort Wayne Komets)
Turner Cup Championships: None
Arena
Des Moines Ice Arena (4,800)
Branding
Team Colors: Green & Gold
Ownership
Owners:
Background
The Des Moines Oak Leafs played minor league hockey in Iowa’s capital city from 1961 to 1972. The Leafs started out as an junior side in the amateur United States Hockey League in 1961. After two USHL campaigns, the club stepped up to the fully professional International Hockey League in the autumn of 1963.
The Oak Leafs made two appearances in the IHL’s Turner Cup finals. The Leafs lost the 1965 Cup final to the Fort Wayne Komets 4 games to 2. Des Moines returned in 1971 and lost to the Port Huron Flags in six games.
Center John Annandale (Oak Leafs ’63-’69) was the club’s all-time leading scorer with 186 goals and 217 assists over six seasons.
Leafs To Capitols
Wholesale changes were afoot during the summer of 1972. Des Moines signed a working agreement with the expansion Atlanta Flames of the National Hockey League. It was the first time the Des Moines club had a formal NHL partnership. In July, the team abandoned the Oak Leafs name and colors in favor of a new identity: the Des Moines Capitols. They also took on the Flames’ color scheme of red, gold & white.
The Capitols lasted three more seasons in Des Moines before folding in the summer of 1975.
Des Moines Oak Leafs Shop
Links
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3 Responses
My name was Kellie McBrian. Daughter of Steve and Judy McBrian. I was maybe 2 or 3 years old. My parents had hockey parties for the team. I would wake up from sleeping or my mom would bring me out several of the players and their girlfriends would hold me for a while and I remember the times fondly. It startles people to know I remember so much from such a young age, but I do. I remember Ivan Pretginger (spelling ?.) and his daughter Pam. But what I remember most is being attached to a David or Davey. I was aware he was going to be at the party but leaving the team. My mom promised that I would be woke up to give him a hug before he left. I woke up the next morning, CRYING ALL DAY because I was asleep and was told he didn’t want to wake me by my mom. I am 51 years old now and always wished to this day I had got to see him. We lived on 65 th Street in Urbandale IA
THANK YOU
Kellie
Do you remember the names of all the players. Thanks for posting Ivan’s name.
I worked at the drug store (Sherwood Forest) at the soda fountain and the guys
would come in for sandwiches and treats. My husband was a mechanic at the
STANDARD STAITON on the corner across the road, (now gone). We attended nearly all the games while we lived on Hickman Rd
My brother is deaf and the guys let him suit up and practice with them. Have a few pictures (in the archives) of him playing. Was the thrill of his life!!! Just can’t remember the names of the players except for “John Annabelle, (Annadale?)”. There just doesn’t seem to be anything on the internet about them. (that I’ve been able to find.) Hope you’re doing well….PLEASANT MEMORIES, HAPPY TIMES!! Just wonder how many, (if any) are still “living”?
John Annable Ivan “the terrible”#4 Predinger Don McCloud #5 Pete Mara #7 Gayle Cooley #30 played goalie Mom had crush on him. He played after Phil Headley lost his cool in game. Annabelle was #7