Denver Spurs

Status:  Defunct
Sport:  Hockey
City:  Denver
Venues:   Denver Coliseum (1968-69 to 1974-75)
  McNichols Sports Arena  (1975-76)
Seasons:  8 - 1968-69 to 1975-76
Leagues:  Western Hockey League (1968-69 to 1973-74)
  Central Hockey League (1974-75)
  World Hockey Association (1975-76)
Owners:  ???
  Ivan Mullenix (1972-73 to 1975-76)
Head Coaches:  Rudy Pilous (1968-69 to 1970-71)
      Bill Dineen (1969-70 to 1971-72)
      Jean-Guy Talbot (1971-72 to 1972-73)
      Bill McCreary (1971-72)
      Milan Marcetta (1972-73)
      John Choyce (1972-73)
      Bob McCord (1973-74)
      Vic Stasiuk (1973-74)

A Brief History

The Spurs played in the Western Hockey League from 1968-69 to 1973-74, winning the league championship in 1971-72. When the WHL folded in 1974, the team transferred to the Central Hockey League for one season. In 1974 the National Hockey League offered an expansion franchise to Mullenix for the 1976-77 season. When the NHL's expanion plans fell through in mid-1975 he quickly moved the Spurs to the World Hockey Association. In December 1975, the NHL indicated they were working on a spot for a Denver team and Mullenix decided to move the Spurs to Ottawa and sell the team to a local group. In early January 1976, the team was officially moved to Ottawa, without the players being aware it had happened. Their first game took place in Cincinnati, and the players found out they were no longer the Denver Spurs when they were announced to the crowd as the Ottawa Civics. The local group's financing fell through, and by mid-January the team folded.

Season Won Lost Tie Finish
1968-96   23 44 7 5th in league
1969-70   24 37 11 6th in league
1970-71   25 31 16 4th in league; lost in playoffs
1971-72   44 20 8 1st in league; WHL Lester Patrick Cup CHAMPIONS
1972-73   27 32 13 4th in league; lost in playoffs
1973-74   28 50 0 6th in league
1974-75   36 29 13 2nd in Northern; lost in playoffs
1975-76   14 26 1 5th in Western; moved to Ottawa after 34 games

Western Hockey League, Central Hockey League, and World Hockey Association logos

Ottawa Civics logo

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Nathan@ColoradoProTeams.com