| Team: | Hamilton Red Wings |
| Logosize: | 150px |
| City: | Hamilton, Ontario |
| League: | Ontario Hockey Association |
| Operated: | -74 |
| Arena: | Barton Street Arena |
| Championships: | 1962 Memorial Cup Champions |
| Parentclub: | Detroit Red Wings (1960-67) |
| Name1: | Windsor Spitfires |
| Dates1: | 1946–1953 |
| Name2: | Hamilton Tiger Cubs |
| Dates2: | 1953–1960 |
| Name3: | Hamilton Red Wings |
| Dates3: | 1960–1974 |
| Name4: | Hamilton/St. Catharines Fincups |
| Dates4: | 1974–1978 |
| Name5: | Brantford Alexanders |
| Dates5: | 1978–1984 |
| Name6: | Hamilton Steelhawks |
| Dates6: | 1984–1988 |
| Name7: | Niagara Falls Thunder |
| Dates7: | 1988–1996 |
| Name8: | Erie Otters |
| Dates8: | 1996–present |
The Hamilton Red Wings were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association from 1960 to 1974. The team was based in Hamilton, Ontario, at the Barton Street Arena, also known as the Hamilton Forum.[1]
The Hamilton Tiger Cubs were renamed in 1960 becoming the Hamilton Red Wings as they wanted to gain increased ticket sales to emphasize the affiliation with the parent Detroit Red Wings which dated back to 1953. The team played for 14 seasons before being renamed the Hamilton Fincups as they had an ownership change as well as the partnership with Detroit was terminated in the late 60's.
The Red Wings of 1962 were coached by Eddie Bush, and managed by Jimmy Skinner (1954-55 Stanley Cup Champion Coach) . The team finished second overall in the OHA standings, then lost only 1 game in the post-season run to the Memorial Cup. In the playoffs Hamilton defeated the St. Catharines Teepees, Niagara Falls Flyers, and the Metro Jr. A. champs Toronto St. Michael's Majors 4 games to 1, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup.[2] The Red Wings then swept the series against the Quebec Citadelles for the George Richardson Memorial Trophy to win the Eastern Canadian Championship.
The Red Wings would play the Western Canadian champion Edmonton Oil Kings for the Memorial Cup. The first game of the 1962 Memorial Cup was played on home ice at the Barton Street Arena which Hamilton won 5-2. The next three games were played at the Guelph Memorial Gardens. Hamilton won game two 4-2. Edmonton won game three 5-3. Hamilton shutout Edmonton 3-0 in game four. The fifth and deciding game was played in the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. The Red Wings defeated the Oil Kings 7-4 to win the series and the Memorial Cup, 4 games to 1.
Five years later the Red Wings made it to the OHA finals again in 1967, but were swept 4 games to 0 by the Toronto Marlboros.
Once the sponsorship money from the Detroit Red Wings ended at the conclusion of the 1966-67 season the franchise went in a free for all and owner Nick Durbano who had cash flow issues and little interest to maintain a competitive team. Durbano finally found a buyer in the summer of 1974.
The two most famous Hamilton Red Wings alumni are "Little M" Pete Mahovlich, and 1972 Summit Series hero Paul Henderson. Many Hamilton Red Wings went on to play for the Detroit NHL team.
Award winners
| Season | Games | Won | Lost | Tied | Points | Pct % | Goals for | Goals | Standing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960-61 | 48 | 22 | 19 | 7 | 51 | 0.531 | 192 | 148 | 3rd OHA | |
| 1961-62 | 50 | 32 | 12 | 6 | 70 | 0.700 | 220 | 162 | 2nd OHA | |
| 1962-63 | 50 | 21 | 21 | 8 | 50 | 0.500 | 202 | 184 | 4th OHA | |
| 1963-64 | 56 | 11 | 35 | 10 | 32 | 0.286 | 193 | 285 | 7th OHA | |
| 1964-65 | 56 | 14 | 31 | 11 | 39 | 0.348 | 220 | 287 | 8th OHA | |
| 1965-66 | 48 | 22 | 20 | 6 | 50 | 0.521 | 203 | 217 | 5th OHA | |
| 1966-67 | 48 | 22 | 21 | 5 | 49 | 0.510 | 172 | 161 | 4th OHA | |
| 1967-68 | 54 | 31 | 13 | 10 | 72 | 0.667 | 253 | 162 | 3rd OHA | |
| 1968-69 | 54 | 27 | 24 | 3 | 57 | 0.528 | 207 | 190 | 5th OHA | |
| 1969-70 | 54 | 16 | 26 | 12 | 44 | 0.407 | 207 | 238 | 9th OHA | |
| 1970-71 | 62 | 22 | 35 | 5 | 49 | 0.395 | 224 | 328 | 7th OHA | |
| 1971-72 | 63 | 11 | 46 | 6 | 28 | 0.222 | 200 | 334 | 10th OHA | |
| 1972-73 | 63 | 15 | 41 | 7 | 37 | 0.294 | 244 | 374 | 9th OHA | |
| 1973-74 | 70 | 16 | 49 | 5 | 37 | 0.264 | 221 | 376 | 11th OHA |