American Hockey League (1949-1952)
International Hockey League (1952-1958)
Tombstone
Born: 1949
Folded: June 27, 1958
First Game: October 11, 1949 (L 3-0 vs. Indianapolis Capitals)
Final Game: March 20, 1958 (L 6-1 @ Louisville Rebels)
Calder Cup Championships (AHL): None
Turner Cup Champions (IHL): 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956 & 1957
Arena
Cincinnati Gardens (11,000)11950-51 American Hockey League Red Book
Opened: 1949
Demolished: 2018
Branding
Team Colors: Red, White & Blue21950-51 American Hockey League Red Book
Ownership & Affiliation
Owner:
NHL Affiliation:
- 1949-50: Montreal Canadiens
- 1950-51: Montreal Canadiens/New York Rangers
- 1951-52: New York Rangers
Mohawks Merch
Cincinnati Mohawks hockey
Curved Bill Wool Cap
Before the Cincinnati Swords, Stingers, Cyclones, and Mighty Ducks, Cincinnati had the Mohawks. They were a member of the American Hockey League from 1949 to 1952, before moving to the International Hockey League, where they won 5 straight Turner Cup championships. Their home ice was the Cincinnati Gardens.
Remember the Mohawks with this stylish Cincinnati Mohawks vintage style, wool hat. One size fits all.
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Background
The Cincinnati Mohawks, at first, were a middling minor league hockey club that put together three unremarkable seasons as a Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers farm club in the American Hockey League (AHL) during the early 1950’s. The Mohawks were operated by the management of the Cincinnati Gardens, the Queen City’s brand new $3M arena that opened in 1949.
But the Mohawks turned from also-rans to juggernaut when the club jumped from the AHL to the lower-cost International Hockey League (IHL) in 1952. The ‘Hawks reeled off six consecutive first place finishes in the IHL from 1953 thru 1958, plus five consecutive Turner Cup playoff championships from 1953 to ’57.
After another dominant regular season in 1957-58 (43 wins, 16 losses, 5 ties), the Mohawks remarkable run came to an end in March 1958 with an opening round playoff loss to the sub-.500 Louisville Rebels.
A decade of championship failed to secure the Mohawks’ financial fortunes. In June 1958, Cincinnati Gardens officials suspended operations of the team and filed for a 1-year hiatus from the IHL. The club never returned to the ice.
Trivia
The club that would become the Cincinnati Mohawks debuted without a name before a crowd of 8,000 fans at the Cincinnati Gardens. Team officials had yet to settle on a nickname for the team. There was some question as to what would take longer: finding an identity or finding the net! The name-less Cincinnati squad lost its first two game by shutout. Just prior to the team’s third game on October 16th, 1949 club officials announce the ‘Mohawks’ name. That night, the Mohawks tied the St. Louis Flyers 3-3 before 4,439 fans at the Gardens, scoring their first goals and earning their first point in the standings as well.
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Mohawks Logo T-Shirt
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STADIUM STORE
Cincinnati Gardens Logo T-Shirt
The Cincinnati Gardens opened in 1949 and was the home arena for multiple hockey, soccer, basketball, football and roller derby teams. The Gardens was also a top venue for wrestling, boxing, monster truck jams, motorcycle racing, and concerts. The Gardens were demolished in March 2018
This tee is also available as a women’s scoop neck from our partners at Old School Shirts!
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Links
American Hockey League Media Guides
American Hockey League Programs
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