The Flint Spirits were a professional hockey team in

Flint, Michigan Flint is the largest city and seat of Genesee County, Michigan, United States. Located along the Flint River, northwest of Detroit, it is a principal city within the region known as Mid Michigan. At the 2020 census, Flint had a population of 8 ...

from 1985 to 1990, and played their home games at the IMA Sports Arena. They were a part of the International Hockey League and replaced the recently departed

Flint Generals The Flint Generals were a minor professional ice hockey team based in Flint, Michigan. They were a member of the International Hockey League and played their home games at Perani Arena and Event Center. The Generals won two league championship ...

team. They compiled an overall record of 162–220–28. Prior to the 1990–91 season, the original

Fort Wayne Komets The Fort Wayne Komets are a minor league ice hockey team in the ECHL. They play their home games at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This team was previously a member of the Central Hockey League, the original Inte ...

were moved to

Albany, New York Albany ( ) is the capital of the U.S. state of New York, also the seat and largest city of Albany County. Albany is on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River, and about north of New York City ...

, and a group from

Fort Wayne, Indiana Fort Wayne is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Indiana, United States. Located in northeastern Indiana, the city is west of the Ohio border and south of the Michigan border. The city's population was 263,886 as of the 2020 Censu ...

, purchased the Spirits and relocated them to Fort Wayne in time to begin the season. The Spirits were once an affiliate of the

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home ...

Season-by-season results

Notable NHL alumni

The Flint Spirits sent numerous players to the NHL in their five years of existence. The biggest names include:

John Cullen Barry John Cullen (born August 2, 1964) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning. He was a stan ...

, co-winner of the 1987–88 Gary F. Longman Memorial Trophy with Saginaw's

Ed Belfour Edward John Belfour (born April 21, 1965) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. Belfour was born in Carman, Manitoba and grew up playing hockey. He played junior hockey for the Winkler Flyers before going to the University of ...

.
Ronnie Stern
Darcy Wakaluk

Rob Zamuner Robert F. Zamuner (born September 17, 1969) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward, who played thirteen seasons in the NHL, most notably with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Playing career Zamuner played junior hockey for the Guelph Plat ...

Mike Richter
Paul Broten

Peter Laviolette Peter Philip Laviolette Jr. (born December 7, 1964) is an American professional ice hockey coach, and former player, currently serving as head coach for the Washington Capitals. He was previously the head coach of the New York Islanders, Caroli ...

Jayson More Jayson William More (born January 12, 1969) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. More was drafted by the New York Rangers in the first round, 10th overall, in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. Born in Souris, Manitoba, More pl ...

Kevin Miller

External links

Flint Spirits statistics at The Internet Hockey Database
Ice hockey teams in Flint, Michigan International Hockey League (1945–2001) teams Professional ice hockey teams in Michigan Defunct ice hockey teams in the United States Ice hockey clubs established in 1985 Sports clubs disestablished in 1990 1985 establishments in Michigan Toronto Maple Leafs minor league affiliates Buffalo Sabres minor league affiliates New York Rangers minor league affiliates Detroit Red Wings minor league affiliates Philadelphia Flyers minor league affiliates Vancouver Canucks minor league affiliates New Jersey Devils minor league affiliates 1990 disestablishments in Michigan {{Michigan-sport-team-stub