The Toledo Goaldiggers were a minor professional ice hockey club based in Toledo, Ohio, from 1974 to 1986. They played in the International Hockey League (IHL) and held their home games at the Toledo Sports Arena on the east side of Toledo. Prior to the Goaldiggers, Toledo had two minor league franchises – the Mercurys (1947–1962) and Blades/Hornets (1963–1974).
History During their 12-year history, the Goaldiggers qualified for the post season 10 times, reaching the playoff finals six times (1975, 1977, 1978, 1982, 1983 and 1984) winning four Turner Cup playoff championships (1975, 1978, 1982, and 1983). Also, the "Diggers" won two regular season championships (Fred A. Huber, Jr. Memorial Trophy) finishing with the most points in the IHL two consecutive seasons (1981–82 and 1982–83).
In 1981, Bill Beagan became a partial owner and the general manager of the Goaldiggers. Under his management, the team won Turner Cup championships during the 1981–82 IHL season and the 1982–83 IHL season.
After the 1985–86 season the franchise was forced to suspend operations due to financial difficulties and poor attendance. The dormant franchise was eventually sold to Russ and Diane Parker and moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where they became the Kansas City Blades in 1990.
Season-by-season record
Turner Cup champions †League leader in points *Division champions ¤
SeasonDivisionRegular seasonPostseasonFinishResult1974–75South3rd7634384—72285275191278373Won in quarterfinals, 4–1 (Columbus)Won in semifinals, 4–3 (Dayton)Won in Turner Cup finals, 4–3 (Saginaw) †1975–76South3rd78273714—682692934041423Lost in quarterfinals, 0–4 (Fort Wayne)1976–77South ¤1st7840317—87321317191187378Won in quarterfinals, 4–3 (Columbus)Won in semifinals, 4–1 (Fort Wayne)Lost in Turner Cup finals, 3–4 (Saginaw)1977–78South2nd80342818—8633131613858251Won in quarterfinals, 4–1 (Milwaukee)Won in semifinals, 4–1 (Fort Wayne)Won in Turner Cup finals, 4–2 (Port Huron) †1978–79South3rd80353213—833203026242130Lost in quarterfinals, 2–4 (Fort Wayne)1979–80South2nd80283418—74293345404725Lost in quarterfinals, 0–4 (Fort Wayne)1980–81East4th8226479—61303392—————Did not qualify1981–82—1st82532441111*407320131036448 Won in quarterfinals, 4–0 (Flint)Advanced in semifinals, 2–2 (Saginaw, Toledo advance, Fort Wayne eliminated) Won in Turner Cup finals, 4–1 (Saginaw) †1982–83East ¤1st825120101113*362269 11836135Advanced in quarterfinals (bye)Won in semifinals, 4–1 (Fort Wayne)Won in Turner Cup finals, 4–2 (Milwaukee) †1983–84—4th824132549132631813674849Won in quarterfinals, 2–1 (Kalamazoo)Won in semifinals, 4–2 (Fort Wayne)Lost in Turner Cup finals, 0–4 (Flint)1984–85East4th82324253722923626241526Lost in quarterfinals, 2–4 (Muskegon)1985–86East4th82244801058293421—————Did not qualify12 seasons2 division titles2 Huber Trophies96442541310719976(.506)3,8023,930108594946843810 playoff appearances4 Turner Cup championships
Franchise records
All-time leaders
Goalshttp://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/display_players.php?tmi=8460 Toledo Goaldiggers all-time player roster 1 Dave Falkenberg 177 2 Jim McCabe 169 3 Dirk Graham 159 4 Ian MacPhee 140 5 Paul Tantardini 115
Assists 1 Dave Falkenberg 261 2 Jim McCabe 236 3 Paul Tantardini 210 4 Ian MacPhee 193 5 Bill Joyce 166
Points 1 Dave Falkenberg 438 2 Jim McCabe 405 3 Ian MacPhee 333 4 Paul Tantardini 325 5 Dirk Graham 315
References
External links IHL Franchise and Championship Information HockeyDB.com history of the Toledo Goaldiggers http://www.toledoretrohockey.com/goaldiggers-history/