Thunder Bay Thunder Cats Explained

The Thunder Bay Thunder Cats was a minor professional ice hockey team based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, and a member of the United Hockey League. The team went through a number of different names prior to being the Thunder Cats, including the Thunder Bay Thunder Hawks and the Thunder Bay Senators.

History

After the success of the five-time Allan Cup champion Thunder Bay Twins, the Colonial Hockey League (CoHL) took interest in expanding to the Northwestern Ontario city. In 1991, the CoHL introduced the Thunder Bay Thunder Hawks, spelling the end of the 21-year Twins franchise that stepped aside for the new minor professional team. In 1993, the team changed its name to the Thunder Bay Senators to reflect the teams affiliation with the National Hockey League's Ottawa Senators. After three season as the Senators, the team became the Thunder Bay Thunder Cats in 1996. The CoHL changed its name to the United Hockey League (UHL) in 1997.

After eight seasons in Thunder Bay, the Thunder Cats were bought, moved to Rockford, Illinois, and renamed the Rockford IceHogs in 1999.

Season-by-season results

Season GP W L T OTL GF GA Pts Final standing Playoffs
1991–9260 26 28 6 309 289 62 3rd CoHL Won Championship
1992–9360 32 24 4 288 271 68 3rd CoHL Lost semi-final
1993–9464 45 15 4 331 236 94 1st CoHL Won Championship
1994–9574 48 22 4 341 279 100 1st CoHL Won Championship
1995–9674 36 26 12 302 289 84 4th CoHL Lost Championship
1996–9774 43 23 8 333 266 94 4th CoHL Lost semi-final
1997–9874 42 26 0 6 337 304 90 4th UHL Lost quarter-final
1998–9974 47 20 0 7 325 247 101 3rd UHL Lost semi-final

External links