Cincinnati Mohawks

The first hockey team in the city of Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Mohawks started play in the AHL in 1949-50 and played their games at historic Cincinnati Gardens on the city's north side when it opened that year. The Mohawks had trouble competing in the AHL, finishing last in their division their first two years and posting an under .500 record in their first three. After that, they moved to the IHL for the 1952-53 season and everything went perfectly. No, really it did. They won five straight IHL titles from 1953 through 1957 and won at least forty games each year (the league played either 60 or 64 game seasons). They would fold after the 1957-58 season but were the first in a long line of hockey teams from the Queen City.

The Mohawks also feature some famous alumni. Legendary coach/GM Fred Shero played for them and hall of famer Harry Howell played one game for the Mohawks. Bud MacPherson and Don Marshall also played for the Mohawks and would go on to have good pro careers in Montreal. Famous netminder Emile "The Cat" Francis also spent a year in Cincinnati in 1951.