Flint Spirits

{{short description|Ice hockey team}}

{{Infobox Pro hockey team

| text_color =Blue

| bg_color =

| team = Flint Spirits

| logo = Flint Spirits (IHL) 89-90 logo.png

| logosize = 100px

| city = Flint

| league = International Hockey League

| operated = 1985–1990

| arena = IMA Sports Arena

| colors =

| owner =

| media =

| affiliates =

| name1 = Flint Spirits

| dates1 = 1985–1990

| name2 = Fort Wayne Komets

| dates2 = 1990–present

| name3 =

| dates3 =

| name4 =

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| name5 =

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}}

Image:Flint Spirits (IHL) 88-89 logo.png

The Flint Spirits were a professional hockey team in Flint, Michigan 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 team. They compiled an overall record of 162–220–28. Prior to the 1990–91 season, the original Fort Wayne Komets were moved to Albany, New York, and a group from Fort Wayne, Indiana, 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.

Season-by-season results

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
YearGPWLTPTSGFGAPctStandingsPlayoffs
1985–86821666038271497.23210th of 10Out of playoffs
1986–87824233791343361.5504th of 9Lost Quarterfinals, 2–4 vs. Saginaw Generals
1987–88824231993395389.5674th of 9Won Quarterfinals, 4–2 vs. Muskegon Lumberjacks
Won Semifinals, 4–0 vs. Saginaw Hawks
Lost Turner Cup Finals, 2–4 vs. Salt Lake Golden Eagles
1988–89822254650287428.30510th of 10Out of playoffs
1989–90824036686326345.5184th of 9Out of playoffs
Totals4101622202835816222020.437colspan=2 bgcolor=#000000|

Notable NHL alumni

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

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

Ronnie Stern

Darcy Wakaluk

Rob Zamuner

Mike Richter

Paul Broten

Peter Laviolette

Jayson More

Kevin Miller