Spokane Comets

The Spokane Comets were a minor professional ice hockey team that was located in Spokane, Washington. They played in the Western Hockey League (WHL) from 1958 to 1963.

Spokane Comets
CitySpokane, Washington
LeagueWestern Hockey League
Operated1958-63
Home arenaSpokane Coliseum
ColoursBlue, red and white
Owner(s)Mel Smith
AffiliateMontreal Canadiens

In April 1961, the franchise considered a move to San Francisco in view of the financial loss of the last three years but after several meetings, it finally stayed in Spokane.[1][2]

The 1962-63 team was coached by Roy McBride who piloted the team to a 30-38-2 record.[3]

In June 1963 the Spokane franchise was purchased by a group led by the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League which relocated them to become the Denver Invaders and act as their farm team.[4][5][6][7] Spokane quickly generated the Spokane Jets, which commenced play in the Western International Hockey League in the 1963–64 WIHL season.

The previous hockey team to play in Spokane had been the Spokane Flyers, who played in the senior amateur WIHL until the pro Flyers joined the WHL as the Spokane Spokes. The pro team's nickname was changed to the Comets in 1959–60.

Season-by-season records
SeasonGPWLTPtsGFGAFinishPlayoffs
1958-597026386582172754thLost opening round
1959-607019483412013247thout of playoffs
1960-617033343692472585thLost Quarter Final
1961-627037285792722422nd SouthLost Final
1962-637030382622192524th Southout of playoffs

Comets who played in the NHL

References
  1. Dillman, Dick (April 11, 1961). "Comets Move Hangs Heavy". The Spokesman Review (332). Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  2. "Pro Hockey Remains in Spokane". The Spokesman Review (344). April 23, 1961. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  3. "Spokane Comets Statistics and History". hockeydb.com.
  4. "Pilous Offered Job As Boss at Denver, Leafs New Farm Club". The Globe and Mail. 1963-06-06.
  5. "Leafs buy coast club". Toronto Daily Star. 1963-06-05.
  6. Missildine, Harry (1963-06-05). "Spokane's Western Hockey Franchise Moves to Denver; Toronto Maple Leafs Purchase Mel Smith's Comet Stock". The Spokesman-Review.
  7. Stott, Jon C (2008). Ice Warriors: The Pacific Coast/Western Hockey League 1948-1974. Heritage House Publishing. ISBN 9781927051047.
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