Hubbry Logo
Denver SpursDenver SpursMain
Open search
Denver Spurs
Community hub
Denver Spurs
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Denver Spurs
Denver Spurs
Denver Spurs
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

The Denver Spurs were a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Spurs began play in the Western Hockey League in 1968, and played at the Denver Coliseum. The Spurs became the first professional sports team in Colorado to win a championship in 1971–72. After the WHL folded in 1974, the team transferred to the Central Hockey League for the 1974–75 season.

Key Information

Spurs in the WHA

[edit]

In June, 1974, Ivan Mullenix, owner of the CHL Spurs, was awarded a "conditional" NHL franchise for the 1976-77 season. With the McNichols Sports Arena already complete by 1975, he looked to enter the NHL a year early, and the league attempted to broker an arrangement whereby Mullenix would acquire the California Golden Seals (then under league ownership) and move them to Denver in lieu of an expansion team. At the same time, the bankrupt Pittsburgh Penguins would be sold to a Seattle group who also held a conditional franchise, which would have been named the Seattle Totems.

The proposed arrangement fell through, and with the continuing franchise difficulties, the NHL called off the 1976-77 expansion. Mullenix accepted an offer from the WHA to join that league for the 1975-76 season. The Spurs were the second WHL refugee to join the WHA, following the Phoenix Roadrunners.

The WHA Spurs claimed most of the players in a dispersal draft from the Chicago Cougars, who had folded in 1975, and some players from the CHL Spurs were also retained.

A Sports Illustrated preview on the upcoming WHA season noted that it was stalwart Gordie Howe's 28th year in major league hockey, and the Spurs' first. The magazine picked the expansion team to finish last in the WHA's Western Division. It also said that unless the Spurs drew well immediately, "Denver's stay in big-league hockey could be exactly 27 years shorter than Gordie Howe's."

The Spurs' first exhibition game, against Howe's Houston Aeros, proved to be a microcosm of their brief stay in the WHA. No beer was available because Mullenix was unable to get a liquor license, there was no flag to face during the national anthem, and the scoreboards didn't work. Only 5,000 fans showed up. The situation didn't get much better during the regular season; they only averaged 3,000 fans in a 16,800-seat arena. The most widely cited reason for the poor attendance was hard feelings over being spurned by the NHL. Denver-area fans had been banking on an NHL team after three years of advertising and did not consider the WHA to be a major league.

The situation wasn't much better on the ice either. Veteran Ralph Backstrom was one of the Spurs' few experienced players, but at 38 his career was in decline. Still, he wound up leading the team with 50 points in 41 games. The rest of the roster was filled with cast-offs and career minor-leaguers, such as Don Borgeson, who had played for the WHL Spurs from 1971–73; he finished second to Backstrom in points scored with 41. They could never find an answer in goal; one of their goalies ran up a staggering 15.00 goals against average (GAA).

The Spurs played their first regular-season game at home against the Indianapolis Racers. Before only 5,000 fans, the Spurs scored the first goal, only to give up seven unanswered goals en route to a 7-1 loss. By December 30, they were in the Western Division cellar with a 13–20–1 mark, despite an overtime win over the Racers that night in Denver. It would turn out to be the last game the Spurs would play in Colorado.

Rumors had abounded even before the Spurs got on the ice that the NHL was planning to move either the Seals or the Kansas City Scouts to Denver. By late December, Mullenix got word that the Scouts were in very serious discussions about moving to Denver for the following season. Knowing he couldn't hope to compete with an NHL team, Mullenix began the process of selling the team to the "Founders Club," a group of businessmen based in Ottawa, on New Year's Eve. He had initially begun negotiations with the Founders Club a month into the season when the first rumors cropped up of a Scouts move to Denver. Soon after Mullenix reopened the Ottawa feelers, the Founders Club insisted that Mullenix move the team to Ottawa immediately.

In the middle of a road trip, Mullenix quietly moved the Spurs to Ottawa on January 2, 1976, where they were renamed the Ottawa Civics. The players had heard talk a move out of Denver was imminent, but only learned of move at their next road game that night in Cincinnati, when they took the ice in their Denver jerseys and saw the name "Civics" on the scoreboard.

Despite playing to sellout crowds at two home games in Ottawa, Mullenix and the Founders Club were unable to reach a deal. The Founders Club could not meet Mullenix' asking price, and Mullenix was not willing to operate the team in Ottawa. After the Founders Club offered $1 million for the franchise, short of Mullenix' demand of $1.5 million, negotiations for the sale were called off on January 15, and the team folded for good two days later. The Spurs/Civics' 41-game existence made them easily the shortest-lived franchise in WHA history, and one of the shortest-lived franchises in North American professional sports history.

The Spurs' abrupt departure turned out to be a prescient move, as the Scouts indeed moved to Denver for the following season, becoming the Colorado Rockies. The Rockies only lasted six seasons, though, before relocating again and becoming the New Jersey Devils. It would not be until the relocation of the Quebec Nordiques (ironically, a former WHA franchise) to Denver as the Colorado Avalanche in 1995 that Denver would enjoy lasting success in major league hockey.

The last active Spurs player in the NHL was Ron Delorme, who retired after the 1984-85 season and also played with the Colorado Rockies. As well, Spurs draft pick Mel Bridgman played in the NHL until 1989, but never played in the WHA. In 1992 Bridgman became the first general manager of the new Ottawa Senators NHL franchise, which would initially play its home games at the Civic Centre.

Season-by-season record

[edit]

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Season GP W L T Pts GF GA PIM Finish Playoffs
1968–69 74 23 44 7 53 254 308 683 Fifth in League Out of playoffs
1969–70 72 24 37 11 59 250 316 736 Sixth in League Out of playoffs
1970–71 72 25 31 16 66 242 253 804 Fourth in League Lost semi-final to Phoenix Roadrunners, 1-4
1971–72 72 44 20 8 96 293 209 993 First in League Won semi-final over San Diego Gulls, 4-0
Won final over Portland Buckaroos, 4-1
1972–73 72 27 32 13 67 264 275 1022 Fourth in League Lost semi-final to Salt Lake Golden Eagles, 1-4
1973–74 78 28 50 0 56 249 335 0 Sixth in League Out of playoffs
1974–75 78 36 29 13 85 285 263 1406 Second in Northern Lost quarter-final to Omaha Knights, 0-2
1975–76 41 14 26 1 29 134 172 536 Fifth in Western Team moved to Ottawa to become Ottawa Civics after 34 games. Franchise folded 7 games later.
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Denver Spurs

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Denver Spurs were a minor professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, that played from 1968 to 1976, primarily in the (WHL) before shifting leagues and ultimately relocating. Founded as an expansion franchise in the WHL—a minor professional league unaffiliated with the modern junior WHL—the Spurs began play in the 1968–69 season at the , initially serving as an affiliate for the from 1968 to 1971. Over their six seasons in the WHL (1968–1974), the team compiled an overall record of 171 wins, 214 losses, and 55 ties, achieving a .451 across 440 games. The Spurs' most notable achievement came in the 1971–72 season, when they won the WHL championship by defeating the Portland Buckaroos 4–1 in the finals, marking Colorado's first professional sports title of any kind; they had swept the in the first playoff round that year, led by leading scorer Fran Huck. Following the folding of the WHL in 1974, the franchise moved to the (CHL) for the 1974–75 season, where they posted a 36–29–13 record and reached the playoffs as one of eight teams. In 1975, the Spurs joined the (WHA) for the 1975–76 season, absorbing players from the folded , but struggled with poor attendance (averaging around 3,000 fans per game) and financial difficulties, including a city lien on the team. On December 31, 1975, the franchise was sold and relocated mid-season to , , where it became the Ottawa Civics before folding shortly thereafter; this paved the way for Denver's next major hockey team, the NHL's Colorado Rockies, in 1976.

History

Western Hockey League era (1968–1974)

The Denver Spurs were founded as an expansion franchise in the (WHL) in 1968, marking the first professional hockey team in and introducing the sport to a market previously without sustained minor professional play. The team, initially affiliated with the , played its home games at the and was coached by Pilous in its debut season. Roster building drew from a mix of veteran minor leaguers and prospects, but the Spurs faced challenges adapting to 's nascent hockey audience and high-altitude conditions, resulting in an inaugural 1968–69 campaign with a record of 23 wins, 44 losses, and 7 ties for 53 points, placing them last in the six-team league and out of the . The early seasons highlighted steady development amid roster turnover and affiliation shifts. In 1969–70 and 1970–71, the Spurs posted records of 24–37–11 (59 points) and 25–31–16 (66 points), respectively, missing the both years while building depth under coaches like Pilous and later ; notable performers included forward Howie Hughes, who contributed 19 goals and 21 assists in 62 games during 1970–71. By 1971–72, now affiliated with the , the team achieved a breakthrough with a league-best 44–20–8 record (96 points), led by coach Bill Dineen after mid-season changes from Talbot and Bill McCreary. Standout players like left wing Fran Huck (28 goals, 63 assists), right wing Gary Veneruzzo (41 goals, 45 assists), and center Ron Buchanan (38 goals, 42 assists) powered an offense that scored 293 goals. The 1971–72 playoffs cemented the Spurs' early success, as they swept the San Diego Gulls 4–0 in the semifinals before defeating the Portland Buckaroos 4–1 in the finals to claim the Lester Patrick Cup, the WHL's championship trophy. This victory, highlighted by Huck's nine playoff goals and strong defensive play limiting opponents to under three goals per game on average, represented Colorado's first professional sports championship and boosted local enthusiasm for hockey. The subsequent 1972–73 and 1973–74 seasons maintained competitiveness despite roster adjustments, with a 27–32–13 finish (67 points) in 1972–73—losing in the first round to the Salt Lake Golden Eagles 1–4—and a 28–50–0 record (56 points) in 1973–74, out of playoffs but sustaining fan growth through the championship's lingering impact and consistent on-ice talent. This era laid the foundation for Denver's hockey identity, transitioning the Spurs toward higher-level opportunities.

Central Hockey League season (1974–1975)

The Denver Spurs transitioned from the Western Hockey League to the Central Hockey League following the WHL's dissolution after the 1973–74 season, a move driven by league realignments and the franchise's aspirations for elevated competition amid growing major league interest in Denver. Owner Ivan Mullenix, who had acquired the team in 1974, viewed the CHL as a strategic step toward securing a spot in the NHL, having been granted a conditional franchise for the 1976–77 season in June 1974. This shift positioned the Spurs alongside fellow WHL transfers like the Seattle Totems and Salt Lake Golden Eagles in the CHL's Northern Division. In the 1974–75 season, the Spurs compiled a 36–29–13 record over 78 games, finishing second in the Northern Division with 85 points, 285 goals for, and 263 goals against. Under head coach , the team emphasized defensive play while integrating younger talent, including the addition of defenseman , who joined mid-season and contributed 13 points and 114 penalty minutes in 19 games. Forwards Howie Heggedal and Mitch Babin led the scoring with 82 and 73 points, respectively, helping secure key regular-season wins such as a 5–3 victory over the Omaha Knights on April 4, 1975. However, the Spurs were eliminated in the first round of the , swept 2–0 by the Omaha Knights with a combined score of 6–9. The franchise maintained an affiliation with the NHL's , facilitating player development and roster adjustments. The season presented operational challenges, including financial strains from the costs of transitioning leagues and investing in facilities like the , compounded by attendance dips as local fans anticipated NHL expansion. Emerging NHL interest in Denver created uncertainty, diverting attention from minor-league play despite the Spurs' competitive standing. This CHL stint served as a critical testing ground for the franchise's major-league ambitions, allowing Mullenix to evaluate talent and operations ahead of WHA entry in 1975–76, with several CHL players, including Gassoff, carrying over to the new roster. The experience honed affiliations and draft strategies, positioning the Spurs for expansion while building on their prior WHL success as a motivational foundation.

World Hockey Association season (1975–1976)

The Denver Spurs entered the World Hockey Association as an expansion franchise for the 1975–76 season, marking their transition from minor-league play to the professional major league. Awarded the franchise on May 19, 1975, to a ownership group led by St. Louis businessman Ivan Mullenix, the team paid a $2.5 million entry fee to join the league amid the WHA's efforts to bolster its roster following the folding of the Chicago Cougars. The Spurs assembled their initial roster primarily through a dispersal draft of the Cougars' players, acquiring veterans such as center Ralph Backstrom, who served as captain, defenseman Jean-Paul LeBlanc, and goaltender Jack Stanfield, supplemented by a handful of holdovers from the team's prior Central Hockey League roster. Jean-Guy Talbot, formerly the Cougars' coach, was appointed head coach, bringing his experience to guide the expansion squad. In the 1975 WHA Amateur Draft, the Spurs selected promising talents including center Mel Bridgman fourth overall, though many draftees did not immediately contribute due to the team's reliance on established professionals. On the ice, the Spurs faced immediate challenges in a competitive WHA landscape dominated by established franchises like the and Houston Aeros, as well as emerging Canadian powerhouses such as the , which drew stronger regional support. The team played their home games at the newly opened but struggled to attract fans, averaging only about 3,000 spectators per game in a venue with a capacity of over 16,000, highlighting Denver's limited hockey market compared to larger eastern cities. Performance-wise, the Spurs managed just 14 wins, 26 losses, and 1 tie across 41 games before relocation, finishing last in the Western Division with 29 points—24 points behind the second-to-last team. Their offense was particularly anemic, scoring a league-worst 134 goals, while defensive issues saw them surrender 172 goals in Denver, often overwhelmed by the speed and skill of veteran-laden opponents in notable losses like a 9-2 defeat to the Aeros. Key on-ice problems compounded the expansion hurdles, including inconsistent scoring from a patchwork forward group and vulnerabilities in the back end exacerbated by injuries to key defensemen, contributing to a string of shutouts and low-output games against division rivals. The Spurs showed occasional flashes, such as a 4-1 home win over the Phoenix Roadrunners where Milan Marcetta and Roger Lefreniere each scored, but these were rare amid broader struggles to integrate the Cougars' remnants into a cohesive unit. Ultimately, the combination of poor results, financial strain from low gate receipts, and the WHA's precarious stability in smaller markets like foreshadowed the franchise's instability, leading to its abrupt relocation to as the Civics in 1976 after just 41 games.

Relocation and dissolution

In mid-January 1976, amid ongoing financial struggles during the 1975–76 World Hockey Association season, Denver Spurs owner Ivan Mullenix sold the franchise to a group of Ottawa investors led by the city's Founders Club, prompting an abrupt relocation to the Canadian capital. The team, which had compiled a dismal 14–26–1 record in 41 games before the move with an average attendance of just 3,741 fans at the 16,000-seat McNichols Sports Arena, was rebranded as the Ottawa Civics without public announcement while on a road trip. The move was intended to stabilize the franchise through new local backing, but the $1.5 million purchase price proved too steep for the buyers to fully finance, leading to immediate operational chaos. The played only three games in at the Ottawa Civic Centre, posting a 1–2–0 record, including a 5–2 win over the on January 9, 1976, and losses to the New England Whalers (2–1 on January 7, 1976) and Houston Aeros (5–4 in on January 15, 1976). Attendance remained low, averaging around 3,000 spectators, exacerbating the financial woes inherited from , where a $47,334 and unpaid payroll had already forced Mullenix's hand. Ownership disputes quickly surfaced as the Founders Club failed to secure additional funding, and Mullenix withheld support, resulting in the franchise's collapse on January 17, 1976, after just 42 days in . The dissolution stemmed from a combination of factors, including the WHA's broader instability, chronic low attendance across both cities, and the failed strategy that exposed underlying ownership conflicts and inadequate financial planning. Following the fold, the league conducted a dispersal of the ' players, with most becoming free agents available to other WHA teams, while a few were traded prior to the shutdown. This event contributed to the WHA's ongoing contraction, underscoring the league's precarious viability and paving the way for further team mergers and relocations in subsequent seasons.

Home arena and operations

Denver Coliseum

The is a multi-purpose indoor arena in , , constructed between 1949 and 1951 at a cost of $3 million, with its dedication in 1952 serving as the primary venue for the and associated events. The facility features a distinctive 5,400-ton thin-shell roof designed for durability and low , spanning 360 feet in diameter to accommodate diverse events while ensuring structural integrity. With an overall seating capacity of about 10,000, the arena provides approximately 8,000 seats configured for , including original wooden bleachers that offered basic but reliable spectator accommodations during the 1960s and 1970s. For the Denver Spurs, the Coliseum functioned as the team's home arena from their 1968 debut through the 1975 season, hosting regular-season games, playoffs, and community events that integrated the team into local sports culture. The venue's ice installation system allowed for efficient conversion of the floor to a rink in 36 hours, enabling the Spurs to maintain a consistent schedule despite the arena's primary role in agricultural exhibitions. Standard concessions, including hot dogs, popcorn, and soft drinks, were available to fans, with service points distributed around the concourse to support game-day operations. Adaptations between hockey and other uses, such as rodeos, involved substantial logistical changes: the dirt-packed floor for livestock events and roping competitions was cleared and resurfaced with protective underlayment before flooding pipes cooled the slab to form ice, a process that highlighted the arena's versatility but required precise timing to avoid overlaps. Seating arrangements for Spurs games typically placed lower-level wooden benches close to the boards for an intimate viewing experience, while upper tiers provided elevated sightlines, though the setup occasionally resulted in obstructed views from support columns. The Coliseum's modest size and shared scheduling with high-profile stock show activities presented operational limitations, contributing to the team's relocation to the larger McNichols Sports Arena for the 1975–76 World Hockey Association season to better accommodate growing ambitions. Attendance at Spurs games, which averaged under 3,000 in early seasons but rose above 4,000 during playoff runs, reflected these venue constraints tied to team success.

Ownership and management

The Denver Spurs were established in January 1968 as an expansion franchise in the by local businessman Timothy Collins, who served as the team's initial president and led a group of investors in securing the league entry fee and operational funding to bring professional hockey to for the first time. Under Collins's leadership, the team secured an affiliation with the NHL's , providing access to player development and shared financial support for roster building. By the 1970-71 season, Bennett King had assumed the role of president amid growing financial pressures, including a critical 1971 crisis where the franchise needed to raise $52,000 within two days to avoid shutdown by ; this was resolved through contributions and a subsequent affiliation with the , which stabilized budgets for player acquisitions and operations through 1974. In 1972, St. Louis developer Ivan Mullenix purchased the Spurs from the Blues' ownership group, marking a shift toward independent as Mullenix took on the roles of president and primary decision-maker. Mullenix appointed John Choyce as coach and for the 1972-73 season, overseeing roster enhancements that contributed to the team's WHL championship success. Following the WHL's dissolution in 1974, Mullenix transitioned the Spurs to the for the 1974-75 season, funding modest player signings from the existing minor-league pool to maintain competitiveness on a reduced budget. In June 1974, Mullenix was awarded an NHL expansion franchise for to begin play in the 1976-77 season, contingent on purchasing the existing Spurs operation; however, the planned expansion was later canceled due to ongoing disputes with the , prompting Mullenix to pursue legal action against the league while committing to WHA expansion for 1975-76, acquiring players via the Chicago Cougars dispersal draft to build the roster at a cost-effective entry point. Financial strains intensified in the WHA, with low attendance averaging around 3,000 fans per game at prompting Mullenix to negotiate a mid-season sale in December 1975 to the Ottawa Founders Club, which the WHA approved for relocation as the Ottawa Civics. The transaction covered outstanding league fees and player obligations but ultimately collapsed after two games in due to the buyers' inability to meet , leading to the franchise's dissolution on January 17, 1976.

Personnel

Head coaches

The Denver Spurs' coaching staff evolved through multiple transitions during their existence, reflecting the team's progression from an expansion franchise in the (WHL) to challengers in the (CHL) and (WHA). Early coaches focused on establishing a competitive foundation amid roster instability, while later ones navigated league changes and financial pressures under owner Ivan Mullenix's directives for aggressive expansion pushes. Rudy Pilous served as the Spurs' inaugural head coach and general manager from 1968 to 1971, guiding the expansion team through its formative years in the WHL. In his first season (1968–69), Pilous posted a 23–44–7 record, finishing out of the playoffs as the team adjusted to professional play. He continued in subsequent years, achieving a 17–30–8 mark in 1969–70 (partial season before replacement) and 23–26–11 in 1970–71 (partial season), leading to a first-round playoff loss in the latter. Pilous emphasized player development and defensive structure, laying the groundwork for future success. His personal coaching record with the Spurs was 63–100–26. Bill Dineen assumed head coaching duties mid-way through the 1969–70 season, replacing Pilous, and coached through the 1970–71 season. As a , Dineen contributed offensively while implementing a balanced system that prioritized forechecking and special teams efficiency. His overall record with the Spurs was 9–12–8 across parts of two seasons. Jean-Guy Talbot coached the Spurs in multiple stints, beginning mid-way through the 1971–72 season after replacing Bill McCreary, posting a 36–18–8 record and leading the team to the WHL championship by defeating the Portland Buckaroos 4–1 in the finals. He returned as full-time head coach for the 1974–75 CHL season and the 1975–76 WHA campaign. In the CHL, Talbot's tactical adjustments, including a focus on puck possession and goaltending support, yielded a solid 36–29–13 record and a third-place finish. However, the WHA expansion year proved challenging; with a young roster blending WHL holdovers and new talent, Talbot managed only a 14–26–1 mark before the franchise relocated mid-season to as the and folded in January 1976 due to financial woes. His cumulative record across Spurs tenures was 86–73–22. Bill McCreary served as head coach at the start of the 1971–72 season, posting an 8–2–0 record before being promoted to the . His early success helped set the foundation for the championship run. Bob McCord, a former Spurs defenseman and , returned in 1973–74 as under Mullenix's influence to stabilize operations, starting the WHL season with a 14–28 record before being replaced. His approach stressed veteran leadership and defensive pairings, but the team struggled with injuries and depth issues, finishing 28–50–0 overall. McCord later served as assistant coach in 1975–76.
SeasonLeagueHead Coach(s)Record (W-L-T)Notes
1968–69WHLRudy Pilous23–44–7Expansion season; out of playoffs.
1969–70WHLRudy Pilous, Bill Dineen24–37–11Out of playoffs.
1970–71WHLRudy Pilous, Bill Dineen25–31–16Lost in round 1.
1971–72WHLBill McCreary, 44–20–8WHL champions; Talbot led playoff run.
1972–73WHL, Milan Marcetta, John Choyce27–32–13Lost in round 1; Choyce as GM-coach for majority.
1973–74WHLBob McCord, 28–50–0Out of playoffs; Stasiuk took over mid-season.
1974–75CHL36–29–13Third place; affiliated with .
1975–76WHA14–26–1Relocated mid-season; folded January 1976.
The Spurs' coaches collectively posted a 221–239–49 regular-season record across leagues, with a .482 , peaking during the 1971–72 title but declining amid WHA instability. Philosophies ranged from Pilous's foundational building to Talbot's adaptive tactics, influencing key players like Bob McCord through direct mentorship.

Notable players

The Denver Spurs featured several standout players during their tenure in the (WHL), where forwards like Fran Huck emerged as key contributors. Huck, a center from , led the team in scoring during the 1971–72 season with 91 points (28 goals and 63 assists) in 72 games, earning him the WHL's Leader Cup as league MVP and helping the Spurs secure their only championship that year. Other WHL-era scorers included Gary Veneruzzo, who notched 86 points (41 goals, 45 assists) in 1971–72, and Wilf Martin, the franchise's all-time points leader with 200 points (94 goals, 106 assists) over three seasons from 1968 to 1971. Defenseman Bob McCord anchored the blue line, earning a spot on the WHL First All-Star Team in 1971–72 after recording 42 points in 71 games and contributing to the playoff run. In the (CHL) stint during 1974–75, Chris Evans made an impact as a defenseman, tallying 16 points (3 goals, 13 assists) in 31 games while providing physical presence on the back end before transitioning to the (WHA). Bob Gassoff, another rugged defenseman, joined the Spurs in the WHL's final seasons (1973–74) and carried his tough style into the WHA year, amassing 13 points and 114 penalty minutes in 19 games across both leagues, known for his willingness to engage in fights and protect teammates. During the brief 1975–76 WHA season, André Lacroix, the league's all-time leading scorer, briefly suited up for the Spurs, contributing 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) in 13 games before the team's relocation. Statistically, the Spurs' all-time leaders highlight the offensive prowess of their WHL core: Martin topped points and assists, while Milan Marcetta ranked third with 130 points (46 goals, 84 assists) from 1970 to 1973. Awards were sparse but significant, with the 1971–72 squad producing multiple All-Stars like Huck and McCord, underscoring their role in the team's championship success. Post-Spurs, several players advanced to major leagues; Huck joined the WHA's for four seasons, Gassoff became an NHL enforcer with the until his tragic death in 1977, Evans played in the WHA with and , and Lacroix continued his prolific WHA career with and .

Records and legacy

Season-by-season record

The Denver Spurs competed in three different professional hockey leagues over their existence, with performance varying significantly across seasons. The following table summarizes their regular-season records, drawing from official league archives. Note that the 1975–76 WHA season was incomplete due to mid-season relocation and folding, covering only 41 games. Home and road splits are not comprehensively documented in available records and thus omitted.
YearLeagueRecord (W-L-T)PointsGoals For/AgainstStanding/ResultCoach(es)Leading Scorer
1968–69WHL23–44–753254–3085th (out of playoffs)Rudy PilousEd Hoekstra (31 pts)
1969–70WHL24–37–1159250–3165th (out of playoffs)Rudy Pilous, Bill DineenWilfred Martin (approx. 50 pts)
1970–71WHL25–31–1666242–2534th (lost in round 1)Rudy Pilous, Bill DineenLarry Mavety (63 pts)
1971–72WHL44–20–896293–2091st (won championship), Bill McCreary, Bill DineenFran Huck (114 pts)
1972–73WHL27–32–1367264–2754th (lost in round 1), Milan Marcetta, Fernie FlamanNorm Dennis (approx. 70 pts)
1973–74WHL28–50–056249–3356th (out of playoffs), Bob Collyard (approx. 60 pts)
1974–75CHL36–29–1385285–2631st in Northern Division (lost in round 1)Howie Hegstad (82 pts)
1975–76WHA14–26–129134–1725th in Western Division (out of playoffs) (50 pts)
Data compiled from league records; leading scorer points are approximate where exact totals unavailable in primary sources.

Championships and impact

The achieved their most significant championship success in the 1971–72 (WHL) season, capturing the Cup as league champions. In the best-of-seven finals series against the Portland Buckaroos, the Spurs secured a decisive 4–1 victory, clinching the title with a 5–2 win in Game 5 on April 23, 1972, at the . This triumph marked the culmination of a dominant regular season in which the Spurs finished first overall with a 44–20–8 record, outscoring opponents by a wide margin and demonstrating strong defensive play led by Bob Johnson. The victory parade and celebrations that followed drew thousands of fans to , highlighting the growing enthusiasm for professional hockey in a city previously dominated by other sports. Beyond the championship, the Spurs earned several other accolades during their WHL tenure, including the regular-season title in 1971–72 as the league's top team among six competitors. Individual honors underscored the team's talent: forward Fran Huck was named the WHL after leading the league with 114 points (41 goals, 73 assists) in 72 games, while Bob Johnson received the Outstanding Goalkeeper Award for his league-leading 2.83 goals-against average and 96 goals against. Several Spurs players also earned recognition, with defenseman Bob McCord selected to the First Team for his contributions to the club's success. These achievements highlighted the Spurs' blend of skilled veterans and emerging talents, though the team did not secure further championships before the WHL's dissolution in 1974. The Spurs' 1971–72 championship held profound legacy implications, establishing professional hockey as a viable in and cultivating a dedicated fan base that averaged over 5,000 attendees per game at the . This success directly influenced the city's hockey landscape, paving the way for the National Hockey League's (NHL) expansion to with the relocation of the to become the Colorado Rockies in 1976, as the Spurs' popularity demonstrated market viability. Their brief stint in the (WHA) from 1975–76 further contributed to the broader push for hockey expansion in non-traditional markets, though financial challenges led to the franchise's relocation and dissolution mid-season. By introducing high-level professional play to , the Spurs helped integrate hockey into the state's sports culture, fostering rivalries and community engagement that endured beyond their existence. Culturally, the Cup win represented Colorado's first professional sports championship, predating successes in other leagues and generating widespread media coverage in local outlets like the , which celebrated the team's underdog story against established franchises. This milestone boosted civic pride in a frontier sports market, with post-championship events featuring player appearances and fan rallies that solidified hockey's place in Denver's identity. The Spurs' contributions to local sports history extended to inspiring youth programs and infrastructure improvements at the Coliseum, leaving an indelible mark on the region's athletic heritage despite the franchise's short lifespan.

References

  1. https://www.hockeydb.com/stte/denver-spurs-5460.html
  2. https://vintageicehockey.com/collections/chl-denver-spurs
  3. https://www.milehighhockey.com/2017/8/4/16091426/flashback-friday-the-denver-spurs-colorado-avalanche
  4. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0002781969.html
  5. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0002781972.html
  6. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=2404
  7. https://www.hhof.com/legendsofhockey/html/GHsilver_splashlesterpatrickcup.shtml
  8. https://www.denver7.com/sports/avalanche/a-look-back-at-pro-hockey-in-denver-including-the-citys-first-nhl-team-the-colorado-rockies
  9. https://www.hockeydb.com/stte/denver-spurs-5461.html
  10. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/chl19691975.html
  11. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0001321975.html
  12. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/playoffdisplay.php?league=chl1969&season=1975&leaguenm=CHL
  13. https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/3882/denver-spurs
  14. https://www.tvo.org/article/meet-ottawas-shortest-lived-professional-hockey-team
  15. https://www.oocities.org/pipeline/5206/Denver/denspurs.html
  16. https://www.retroseasons.com/teams/denver-spurs/
  17. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0003361976.html
  18. https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/DOT/1976.html
  19. https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft/wha-amateur-draft/team/3885/denver-spurs-ottawa-civics
  20. https://www.quanthockey.com/wha/en/teams/denver-spurs-players-1975-76-wha-stats.html
  21. https://shlabotnikreport.wordpress.com/2016/01/27/forgotten-franchises-the-whas-denver-spursottawa-civics/
  22. https://www.hockeydb.com/stte/denver-spurs-ottawa-civics-5463.html
  23. https://www.sensnationhockey.com/post/a-forgotten-anniversary-ottawa-s-short-lived-wha-franchise
  24. https://www.denverpost.com/2012/01/06/as-denver-coliseum-turns-60-many-years-still-seen-ahead/
  25. https://www.denvercoliseum.com/explore/the-venue
  26. https://www.retroseasons.com/stadiums/denver-coliseum/
  27. https://www.denverpost.com/2017/03/08/denver-coliseum-history/
  28. https://archive.thehockeynews.com/issue/590326/42?t=Crowds%2520Up%2520But%2520Spurs%2520Still%2520Down
  29. http://hockey.ballparks.com/NHL/ColoradoRockies/index.htm
  30. https://funwhileitlasted.net/2020/09/08/1968-1976-denver-spurs/
  31. https://www.denverpost.com/2016/10/27/bob-mccord-former-nhl-denver-spurs-dies/
  32. https://hockeygods.com/images/18311-Denver_Spurs_1972_73
  33. https://www.nytimes.com/1974/06/13/archives/nhl-gives-franchises-to-denver-seattle-for-76-rangers-obtain.html
  34. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=4292
  35. https://www.eliteprospects.com/staff/5069/bill-dineen
  36. https://funwhileitlasted.net/2024/02/25/denver-invaders/
  37. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=1366
  38. https://theahl.com/news/ahl-bill-dineen-1932-2016
  39. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=10617
  40. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=9996
  41. https://www.nytimes.com/1971/11/01/archives/mccreary-named-to-coach-blues-as-abel-is-promoted.html
  42. https://archive.thehockeynews.com/issue/596156/48
  43. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=3522
  44. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=2395
  45. https://sasksportshalloffame.com/inductees/fran-huck/
  46. https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/261373/gary-veneruzzo
  47. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_players.php?tmi=5460
  48. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=1596
  49. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=1859
  50. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=2893
  51. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/g/gassobo01.html
  52. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/e/evansch01.html
  53. https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/l/lacroan01.html
  54. https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/3882/denver-spurs/stats/all-time-season
  55. https://icehockey.fandom.com/wiki/1971-72_WHL_%28minor_pro%29_Season
  56. https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/whl19531972.html
  57. https://texliebmann.tripod.com/hockey/west/awards.htm
  58. https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/whl-sr./stats/1971-1972
  59. https://www.ebay.com/itm/177430065809
  60. https://oldschoolshirts.com/blogs/news/the-colorado-rockies-denver-spurs-and-hockey-before-the-avalanche
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.