The Philadelphia Quakers history reflects one of the NHL’s shortest yet memorable stories. Founded in 1930, the Philadelphia Quakers hockey team played only one season but still made an impact on the league. Known for their gritty play and loyal local support, they remain an important chapter in early professional hockey history.
Established
1925
City
Pittsburgh – Philadelphia
League History
1925 – 1931 / National Hockey League
Team History
1930 – 1931 / Philadelphia Quakers
1925 – 1930 / Pittsburgh Pirates
Nickname
Quakers – The Philadelphia Quakers are among the most popular and beloved National Hockey League (NHL) teams. The team's nickname is derived from its original name, which was given to them when they joined the league in 1930. The Quakers were initially known as the Philadelphia Quaker Oats Company hockey team, named after their sponsor - a cereal company founded by Henry Parsons Crowell.
Philadelphia Quakers Origin
At first glance, it may seem strange for a professional sports franchise to be named after breakfast food, but there’s an interesting story behind this unique moniker. It all started with William Swayne – an executive at Quaker Oats who was also an ice hockey fan. He had been involved with amateur leagues since 1910 and wanted his company to have more visibility within this sport on both local and national levels. Thus began his quest for sponsorship opportunities within pro-hockey circles until 1929 when he found what he sought – permission from NHL president Frank Calder to form an expansion team called “the Philadelphia Quakers” sponsored by himself!
This new club would go on play two seasons before folding due to financial difficulties mainly related to being unable to compete financially against some more extensive market franchises like New York Rangers or Detroit Red Wings at the period; however, despite their short lifespan, they still left a lasting legacy through their memorable nickname which remains part culture today even though no longer exist as active franchise anymore!
Championship
Stanley Cup 0
Arena
1930 – 1931 / Philadelphia Arena
*Pittsburgh*
1925 – 1930 / Duquesne Gardens
Owner
1928–1931 / Benny Leonard and Bill Dwyer
1925–1928 / James F. Callahan
Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history
- 1930
- 1931
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Pirates Temporarily Move to Philly
The Pirates, the third American-based NHL team, got off to a promising start in 1925 – 1926, making the playoffs in two of their first three seasons. However, the team soon fell on hard times both on the ice and at the box office. A sale to bootlegger Bill Dwyer did not help the cause. With the stock market crash ... -
Quakers Shut Down
Things did not get better on the other side of Pennsylvania. The financial woes continued unabated. On the ice, the Quakers were the definition of futility. It took the team three games to score a goal and three more to get its first win, which came on November 25, a 2–1 win over the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs. They finished with ...
Philadelphia Quakers History
The Philadelphia Quakers history centers on a brief, troubled chapter in early NHL history. The Philadelphia Quakers hockey team played only one full season in 1930-31 after relocating from Pittsburgh, where they had been the Pirates. They competed in the National Hockey League using the Philadelphia Arena as their home rink.
The Philadelphia Quakers hockey squad suffered from severe financial and performance problems almost immediately. The team finished their only season with a 4-36-4 record, the worst full-season winning percentage in the NHL at that time (.136). They scored the fewest goals and allowed the most goals in the league during that campaign, and they failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Because of mounting debts, extremely low attendance, and the pressures of the Great Depression, the Philadelphia Quakers history ended after that one disastrous season. The franchise suspended operations for subsequent seasons but was never revived. The NHL officially cancelled the Quakers franchise in 1936.
Quakers Achievements
Even though their time was short, the Philadelphia Quakers hockey team holds some notable records. Their record-worst season (4-36-4) remained a mark of futility for decades, giving them the unenviable honor of having one of the lowest point percentages in NHL history for a full season. That statistic is an important part of the Philadelphia Quakers history.
Also, the Philadelphia Quakers history contributed to Philadelphia’s later embrace of hockey. When the Flyers began in 1967, they adopted the orange and black color scheme that had been worn by the Quakers. The team’s existence—despite its failure—helped lay groundwork for future NHL teams in Pennsylvania.
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