(22-23-3) Finished 2nd in West Division

RELATED LINKS

• The Hornets were a minor league affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings and played home games at Duquesne Garden.

• An overview of the 26-year history of the franchise.

• Pittsburgh Hornets: Season by season at a glance.

• Pittsburgh Hornets: All-time Alphabetical roster.

• Individual player records and milestones.

• All-time uniform numbers of the Pittsburgh Hornets.

• Pittsburgh Hornets: Uniform history.

• Visit the Hornets gallery.

How the Hornets were Formed

Pittsburgh lost its only professional team in 1929 when the Pittsburgh Pirates moved the franchise across the state to become the Philadelphia Quakers. The Yellow Jackets returned to Pittsburgh in 1930 after Roy Schooley re-acquired the team. They were later purchased by Pittsburgh theater chain owner, John Harris,in 1932.

On October 4, 1936, the Detroit Olympics were sold, moved to Pittsburgh, and were re-named the Pittsburgh Hornets.  Some players from the Yellow Jackets joined the Olympics. The Hornets, a minor-league team for the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings, made their debut in the International-American Hockey League in 1936-37. (The league transformed into the American Hockey League in 1940.)
The Hornets: Chapter One

Led by former Olympics coach Donnie Hughes, the Hornets won their first game, 4-2, against the Cleveland Falcons on November 7, 1936. The next night at the Duquesne Garden, they beat the Falcons again, 5-2.

Originally, The Hornets were the minor-league affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings who won the Stanley Cup in 1936 with Don Aurie on that team. The Hornets lost their first playoff game, 4-1, against the Syracuse Stars on March 24, 1937. Aurie was a player/coach and led them to their first appearance in the Calder Cup Finals in 1940 where they were swept in three games by the Providence Reds on April 4, 1937.

• On October 4, 1936, the Detroit Olympics were sold, moved to Pittsburgh, and were re-named the Pittsburgh Hornets.

• Their debut in the International-American Hockey League was against the Cleveland Falcons on November 7, 1936.

• The Hornets lost their first playoff game, 4-1, against the Syracuse Stars on March 24, 1937.

• The Hornets first playoff win was a 4-1 victory over the Stars on March 27, 1937.

• The Hornets first playoff series ended after losing to the Stars, 4-3, on April 4, 1937.

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From left: Center Billy Hudson, Defenseman Jimmy Orlando, Orville Roulson, Goalie Jimmy Franks and wingers Art Giroux and Carl Liscombe.

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LEADERSHIP

Primary Owners:
John H. Harris

General Manager:
Donnie Hughes

Head Coach:
Donnie Hughes

Captain:
Burr Williams

Scoring Leader:
Mick Drouillard (310)

Penalty Leader:
Wilf Starr (87)

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