Detroit Cougars Team History
Detroit Cougars Team Formation
During a subsequent meeting on May 15, the league approved a franchise to the Townsend-Seyburn group of Detroit and named Charles A. Hughes as governor. Frank and Lester Patrick, the owners of the WHL, made a deal to sell the league’s players to the NHL and cease league operations. The new Detroit franchise purchased the players of the folded Victoria Cougars (Winner of the 1925 Stanley Cup) WHL club to play for the team. The new Detroit franchise also adopted the Cougars’ nickname in honor of the folded franchise.
Founded in 1926, the team was known as the Detroit Cougars from then until 1930.
Established
1926
City
Detroit
League History
1926 – Present National Hockey League
Nickname
Cougars – The new Detroit franchise purchased players of the folded Victoria Cougars. The new Detroit franchise also adopted the Cougars’ nickname in honor of the folded franchise.
Team History
1932 – Present Detroit Red Wings
1930 – 1932 Detroit Falcons
1926 – 1930 Detroit Cougars
Championship
Stanley Cups 0
2007 – 2008, 2001 – 2002, 1997 – 1998, 1996 – 1997, 1954 – 1955, 1953 – 1954, 1951 – 1952, 1949 – 1950, 1942 – 1943, 1936 – 1937, 1935 – 1936
Arena
1979 – Present Joe Louis Arena
1927 – 1979 Detroit Olympia
*Ontario*
1926 – 1927 Windsor Arena
Owner
1982 – Present Mike Ilitch
1955 – 1982 Bruce Norris
1952 – 1955 Marguerite Norris
1933 – 1952 James E. Norris
1931 – 1933 Creditors’ Committee
1926 – 1931 Charles A. Hughes
Retired Number
1 Terry Sawchuk
5 Nicklas Lidstrom
7 Ted Lindsay
9 Gordie Howe
10 Alex Delvecchio
12 Sid Abel
19 Steve Yzerman
99 Wayne Gretzky
Mascot
1995 – Present Al the Octopus
*Blue is this team’s history