1955-56 Pittsburgh Hornets (AHL)

(43-17-4) Finished 2nd in the American Hockey League

• Willie Marshall scored eight points in one game – tying an AHL record held by two former Hornets Bob Gracie and Bob Walton in 1945.

• Jack Bionda led the AHL in penalty minutes with 190.

• For the first time in team history three players recorded over 100 penalty minutes.

•Gil Mayer won his fourth (fifth overall) Harry “Hap” Holmes Award for being the AHL leader in GAA.

• On March 25, 1956 Bob Solinger scored :08 into overtime to set an AHL record for the fastest end to an overtime game.

• The Hornets set an AHL record for overtime games won on the road (4).

• Frank Mathers, Willie Marshall, Gil Mayer & Parker MacDonald were selected as All-Stars.

• On March 31, 1956, The Hornets played their final game at the Duquesne Gardens; a 6-4 win over the Barons.

• The Cleveland Barons handed the Hornets their third straight overtime loss to eliminate Pittsburgh from the playoffs.

• The Hornets’ first chapter ended after the 1955-56 season. On March 31, 1956, The Hornets played their final game at the Duquesne Gardens; a 6-4 win over the Barons. The Hornets franchise was suspended for five years because Pittsburgh’s urban renewal project – Renaissance I – brought the wrecking ball to The Gardens.

Contrary to popular belief, the Hornets did not become the Rochester Americans. The Americans played their first season in 1956-57 and were a jointly owned farm club of the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs. Gord Hannigan was the only player from the Hornets 1955-56 roster to join the Amerks. Seven Hornets players joined the Hersey Bears, six players advanced to the NHL and six players joined other AHL teams and one player retired.

The Hornets franchise was suspended for five years because Pittsburgh’s urban renewal project – Renaissance I – brought the wrecking ball to The Gardens and construction of the Civic Arena.

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Front: Gil Mayer, Bob Hassard, Howie Meeker (Coach), Frank Mathers, Don Campbell

Middle: Baz Bastien, Tommy O’Toole, Jack Caffery, Joe Klukay, Jack Bionda, Larry Cahan, Bob Bailey, Bob Solinger, Jim Balmer (GM)

Back: Ray Gariepy, Bob Sabourin, Parker MacDonald, Les Duff, Willie Marshall, Jack Price, Gerry Foley

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