Established
1926
City
Detroit
League History
1926 – Present / National Hockey League
Team History
1932 – Present / Detroit Red Wings
1930 – 1932 / Detroit Falcons
1926 – 1930 / Detroit Cougars
Nickname
Falcons – For many sports fans, the Detroit Falcons are a beloved hockey team with a long and storied history. But what do you know about the origins of their nickname? It may surprise some to learn that it was first used in 1926 when they were part of the National Hockey League's inaugural season.
The story goes that owner James Norris Sr. wanted to create an exciting identity for his team and decided on “Falcons” as its official moniker. He chose this name because falcons had been popularly used by other teams at the time, such as baseball's Cleveland Indians or football's Chicago Bears—both of which became iconic franchises in their respective leagues. Additionally, he thought it would be symbolic since falcons have strong wings representing strength and power—qualities he believed should also define his new NHL franchise!
Unfortunately for Norris Sr., just two years after adopting “Falcons” as its official nickname, his team moved away from Detroit due to financial struggles within the ownership group (which included future Hall-of-Famers Sid Abel & Gordie Howe). The move meant that Detroit lost one of its original six teams but also gave rise to another legendary franchise: The Red Wings! Although not officially related any longer, there is still a special connection between these two clubs who proudly share similar nicknames derived from birds native Michigan –– Falcons & Red Wings alike!
Championship
Stanley Cups 0
2008, 2002, 1998, 1997, 1955, 1954, 1952, 1950, 1943, 1937, 1936
Arena
2017 - Present / Little Caesars Arena
1979 – 2016 / Joe Louis Arena
1927 – 1979 / Detroit Olympia
*Ontario*
1926 – 1927 / Windsor Arena
Owner
2018 – Present / Ilitch Holdings
1982 – 2017 / 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
4 / Red Kelly
5 / Nicklas Lidstrom
7 / Ted Lindsay
9 / Gordie Howe
10 / Alex Delvecchio
12 / Sid Abel
19 / Steve Yzerman
99 / Wayne Gretzky
*Blue is this team’s history
- 1930
-
Name Change to Falcons
In 1930, the Cougars have renamed the Falcons, but their woes continued, as they usually finished near the bottom of the standings, even though they made the playoffs again in 1932.
History of the Falcons
The Detroit Falcons are among the oldest National Hockey League (NHL) teams. Founded in 1926, they were one of four original expansion franchises that joined the NHL at its inception. The team was initially known as the Cougars before changing their name to the Falcons in 1930. The Falcons had a notable rivalry with the Detroit Cougars, which added excitement to their matchups.
Throughout their history, they have been a part of some truly memorable moments and accomplishments on the ice. In the 1934-35 season, they became Stanley Cup champions for the only time after defeating Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 series victory. They won it again two years later by beating Montreal Maroons 2–0 series win. Their success continued into the 1940s when Gordie Howe made his debut with them and went on to become an all-time great player leading them to several division titles during his tenure there until he left for World Hockey Association (WHA) in 1971/72 season-ending era of “Gordie’s Gang” as fans used to call him affectionately back then.
In the 1982/83 season, they moved from the Detroit, Michigan area where they had been since starting up the city of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, across the border a few miles away due to financial difficulties but still kept the same nickname, albeit with different spelling becoming Detriot FALCONS which lasted till 1986 when the franchise relocated yet again this time Minnesota North Stars who eventually changed name Dallas Stars following move.
Despite a brief stint under a new moniker & location, Detroit has a long legacy of hockey excellence that continues today through the Red Wings organization's most successful U S based NHL club, having won 11 Stanley Cups championships throughout 98 years of existence, a testament to fact sport remains an integral part Motor City culture even though Falcons no longer exist physical form.
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