Long Island Cougars

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Long Island Cougars
Long island cougars logo.gif
CityCommack, New York
LeagueNorth American Hockey League
Operated1973–1975
Home arenaLong Island Arena
Colorsgreen and gold
Owner(s)Benjamin Kasper

The Long Island Cougars were a minor league professional ice hockey team that played at the Long Island Arena in Commack, New York, from 1973 to 1975. The Cougars were a member of the North American Hockey League, and were runners up for the Lockhart Trophy to the Syracuse Blazers in the 1973–74 season.

History[]

The Cougars replaced the long-running Long Island Ducks, who had folded earlier in 1973, along with the rest of the Eastern Hockey League (EHL).[citation needed]

Several refugees from the defunct EHL formed the North American Hockey League during the summer of 1973. The NAHL clubs quickly formed affiliation agreements to serve as farm clubs for teams in the upstart World Hockey Association, which was challenging the NHL for top talent and expansion markets during the 1970s. Long Island was offered a new franchise to stand in for the Ducks, and took both the nickname and green and gold color scheme from their parent club, the Chicago Cougars of the WHA.[citation needed]

During the NAHL’s first season, the Cougars advanced to the Lockhart Cup championship series. Minor league hockey legend John Brophy, a longtime Ducks star and the Eastern League’s all-time penalty minutes leader, was the Cougars’ head coach. They lost in the finals to the Syracuse Blazers.[citation needed]

The Cougars played one final year on Long Island during the 1974–75 season, making the playoffs against despite a 29–40–5 record under new coach Ron Racette. In the spring of 1975 the Chicago Cougars of the WHA went out of business. In May of that year, Cougars owned Ben Kasper moved the team to Erie, Pennsylvania, where they were renamed the Erie Blades.[1]

Season-by-season results[]

Season-by-season results:[2]

Season League Games Won Lost Tied Points Winning % Goals
for
Goals
against
Standing
1973–74 NAHL 74 35 36 3 73 0.493 310 277 Lost in Finals
1974–75 NAHL 74 29 40 5 63 0.426 271 280 Lost in round 2

Notable players[]

Additionally, Brian Glenwright and Dan Lodboa both played for the Chicago Cougars.

References[]

  1. ^ Crossley, Andy (March 21, 2013). "1973-1975 Long Island Cougars". Fun While it Lasted.
  2. ^ http://www.hockeydb.com/stte/long-island-cougars-6640.html
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