Origins of the following defunct and former hockey teams (league, NHL, Bulls)

[Joke Insurance]

I've always wondered about the names of these teams. Does anyone know the origins of their names?

• Birmingham Bulls (WHA)
• Chicago Cougars (WHA)
• Cincinnati Swords (AHL)
• Cleveland Barons (NHL)
• Cleveland Crusaders (WHA)
• Dayton Arrows (WHA)
• Hamilton Tigers (NHL)
• Memphis Wings (Central Hockey League)
• Quebec Nordiques (NHL)
• Toronto Toros (WHA)

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Joke Insurance

I've always wondered about the names of these teams. Does anyone know the origins of their names?

• Quebec Nordiques (NHL)

There is no exact translation for nordiques, which technically is the adjective "nordic", but the closest thing would probably be "northerners".

[Joke Insurance]

Originally Posted by Acajack

There is no exact translation for nordiques, which technically is the adjective "nordic", but the closest thing would probably be "northerners".

Yeah, I suppose that name did represent Quebec as a whole, given their geographic location.

[Stubblejumper]

Originally Posted by Joke Insurance

I've always wondered about the names of these teams. Does anyone know the origins of their names?
[/list]

Cincinnati Swords were a farm team of the Buffalo Sabres (Sabres/Swords)
Memphis Wings were a farm team of the Detroit Red Wings

The Toronto Toros and Birmingham Bulls are actually the same franchise - that said, I have no idea where the names come from.

[TroutDude]

If I recall correctly, the Toros mascot was a bull and the name came from a contest run by a newspaper.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Joke Insurance

Yeah, I suppose that name did represent Quebec as a whole, given their geographic location.

Perhaps but the Nordiques were identified as "Quebec Nordiques" (Nordiques de Québec) as opposed to Quebec City Nordiques because in French the word Québec refers to the city and the province. You know which one is which because of the article used in front of it.

[jambo101]

Darn shame in a province (Quebec)that produces so many NHL hockey players we only have one team, would sure be nice to see a return of the Nordiques.but we wont hold our breath on that one as California is more likely to get a 4th or 5th franchise before Quebec City gets re considered.

[Joke Insurance]

I guess I should have figured out that some of those names had to do with their big brothers in the NHL

But I am still curious about the Cleveland Barons name. I can't seem to place a connection with Baron to the city of Cleveland. Am I missing something such as a famous Clevelander that was known as a Baron?

[Joke Insurance]

And the former Virginia Lancers. I know the name has some history with Virginia but does anyone know what it is?

[plmokn]

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