Baltimore Skipjacks

Atlantic Coast Hockey League (1981-1982)
American Hockey League (1982-1993)

Our Favorite Gear

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Baltimore Skipjacks
Replica Jersey

When it comes to Replica Jerseys, we turn to our friends at Royal Retros, who put extraordinary detail into their fully customizable hockey sweaters.

• Free Customization Included

• Each jersey individually handmade

• Any name and number

• Sewn tackle twill crest, numbers & letters

• 100% polyester

• Heavyweight fabric made to game standards

• Fight strap included

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Background

The Baltimore Skipjacks were a minor league hockey club that served as a farm team to the Boston Bruins (1982-1983), Pittsburgh Penguins (1982-1987) and Washington Capitals (1988-1993).  Prior to the Skipjacks, Baltimore had a long and checkered history with pro hockey.  Going back to the World War II era, all of Baltimore’s previous minor league clubs were named the “Clippers”.

Penguins Era

The Skipjacks’ finest seasons came during the mid-1980’s when they served as a Penguins’ farm club and were coached by Gene Ubriaco.  In 1983-84, the Skipjacks had the best regular season record in the American Hockey League (46-24-10).  The 1983-84 squad kept their core talent together for much of the season, thanks in part to Pittsburgh’s conscious effort to tank the NHL season and win the right to select Mario Lemieux in the 1984 NHL draft.  At one point, the 1983-84 Skipjacks set an AHL record by winning 16 games in a row, but they were bounced in the Calder Cup semis by the Rochester Americans.

The following season, Ubriaco’s charges went further, advancing to the 1985 Calder Cup finals.  The Skipjacks’ captain that season was Steve Carlson, a minor league warhorse who played one of the Hanson Brothers in Slap Shot.  The 1984-85 team also included notorious tough guys Marty McSorley and Bennett Wolf.  Rookie goaltender Jon Casey, on loan from the Minnesota North Stars, was outstanding with a 30-11-4 mark and a 2.63 GAA.   But in the Calder Cup finals, Baltimore ran into the Sherbooke Canadiens and a young Montreal goaltending prospect named Patrick Roy.  Sherbrooke beat the Skipjacks 4 games to 2 behind Roy’s heroics in net.

Financial Troubles & Move To Portland

During their 12-year run in Baltimore the Skipjacks played second fiddle to the Baltimore Blast indoor soccer team, the ‘Jacks winter co-tenant at the Civic Center.  The Blast, whose original 1980-1992 run coincided closely with the Skipjacks’ lifespan, consistently outdrew the hockey team on a magnitude of about 3:1.

That meant that the Skipjacks consistently lost six figures a year.  After the 1986-87 season the Pittsburgh Penguins, who funded most of the club’s expenses, ran out of patience. They shifted their top farm club relationship to Muskegon of the IHL.  A businessman named Tom Ebright saved the team. He bought the club for $250,000 and operated the ‘Jacks as an independent club (without NHL affiliation) for the 1987-88 season.

Starting in 1988, the Skipjacks became the top farm club for the nearby Washington Capitals of the NHL.  With the switch, the Skipjacks dropped their black & yellow palate of the Penguins era in favor of a red, white & blue color scheme.  The Capitals era wasn’t particularly fruitful for Baltimore hockey fans. However, the ‘Jacks did help to produce two future NHL goaltending stars for Washington in Byron Dafoe and Olaf Kolzig.

Owner Tom Ebright lost an estimated $2.5 million on the Skipjacks over six years from 1987 to 1993.  In March of 1993 he threw in the towel and signed a deal to move the Skipjacks to Portland, Maine.  The Skipjacks became the Portland Pirates for the 1993-94 AHL season.

Baltimore Skipjacks Shop

OUR FAVORITE STUFF

Order at Old School Shirts

Skipjacks Penguins Era
Logo T-Shirt

This black-and-gold Skipjacks logo tee harkens back to the years when Baltimore served as the top farm club for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1982 through 1987. 

Available in sizes Small through 4 XL from our partners at Old School Shirts!

 

When you make a purchase through an affiliate link like this one, Fun While It Lasted earns a commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!

In Memoriam

Former Skipjacks owner Tom Ebright passed away in 1997.

Downloads

1-25-1985 Skipjacks vs. St. Catharines Saints Game Notes

1985-86 Skipjacks Hockey Handbook

10-10-1985 Skipjacks vs. Adirondack Red Wings Game Notes

10-18-1985 Skipjacks vs. St. Catharines Saints Game Notes

12-6-1985 Skipjacks vs. Hershey Bears Game Notes

1-3-1986 Skipjacks vs. Moncton Golden Flames Game Notes

2-15-1986 Skipjacks vs. Rochester Americans Game Notes

3-5-1988 Skipjacks vs. Binghamton Whalers Game Notes

3-11-1988 Skipjacks vs. Rochester Americans Game Notes

2-18-1989 Skipjacks vs. Sherbrooke Canadiens Game Notes

2-25-1989 Skipjacks vs. Rochester Americans Game Notes

4-1-1989 Skipjacks Fan Appreciation Night Album

4-1-1989 Skipjacks vs. Binghamton Whalers Media Notes

Links

American Hockey League Media Guides

American Hockey League Programs

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