Philadelphia Firebirds

For the Independent Women's Football League team, see Philadelphia Firebirds (IWFL).

Philadelphia Firebirds
City	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Syracuse, New York
League	NAHL (1974–1977) AHL (1977–1980)
Operated	1974–1980
Home arena	Philadelphia Civic Center Onondaga County War Memorial
Colors	White, Orange, Yellow, Green
Affiliates	Philadelphia Flyers Detroit Red Wings Colorado Rockies Quebec Nordiques Pittsburgh Penguins
Franchise history
1974–1979	Philadelphia Firebirds
1979–1980	Syracuse Firebirds
Championships
Playoff championships	1: 1975–76 (Lockhart Cup)

The 1976-77 Philadelphia Firebirds with the Lockhart Cup.

The Philadelphia Firebirds were a minor league professional ice hockey team that played in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 1974 to 1979.

From 1974 to 1977 the Firebirds were a member club of the North American Hockey League winning the league's Lockhart Cup play-off championship in 1976. The Firebirds featured several key players during their time in Philadelphia. Goaltender Rejean Lemelin moved on from the Firebirds to a long career with Calgary and Boston in the NHL. The tandem of center Bobby Collyard and right wing Gordie Brooks were consistently among the leading scorers in both the NAHL and AHL during their Firebird careers. The Head Athletic Trainer from 1977–1980, Marty Ward, is currently the Head Trainer for the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse team and has been since 2006. He is also Head Trainer for the Onondaga Red Hawks Box lacrosse team, since 2010.

When the NAHL folded in 1977, the Firebirds, along with the Broome Dusters, joined the then-struggling American Hockey League. The Firebirds played all five seasons in Philadelphia (three NAHL and two AHL seasons) at Convention Hall, which has since been torn down. The Firebirds were affiliated with the NHL Detroit Red Wings in 1977–78 and the Colorado Rockies in 1978–79.

Following the 1979 season, the franchise moved to Syracuse, New York, where the club played one final season as the Syracuse Firebirds before folding.

Season-by-season results

• Philadelphia Firebirds 1974–1977 (North American Hockey League)
• Philadelphia Firebirds 1977–1979 (American Hockey League)
• Syracuse Firebirds 1979–1980 (American Hockey League)

Regular season

Season	Games	Won	Lost	Tied	Points	Goals for	Goals against	Standing
1974–75	74	40	31	3	83	311	288	2nd, NAHL
1975–76	74	45	29	0	90	373	319	2nd, West
1976–77	74	38	33	3	79	319	294	4th, NAHL
1977–78	81	35	35	11	81	294	290	3rd, South
1978–79	80	23	49	8	54	230	347	5th, South
1979–80	80	31	42	7	69	303	364	3rd, South

Playoffs

Season	1st round	2nd round	Finals
1974–75	L, 1–3, Long Island	—	—
1975–76	W, 3–2, Erie	W, 4–2, Johnstown	W, 4–2, Beauce Lockhart Cup Champions
1976–77	L, 1–3, Erie	—	—
1977–78	L, 1–3, New Haven	—	—
1978–79	Out of Playoffs
1979–80	L, 0–4, Hershey	—	—

External links

• "A Brief History of The American Hockey League & Minor League Pro Hockey in Philadelphia: 1927 - 2005"