American Hockey League Wiki
Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo bisons 1933-34
City: Fort Erie, Ontario
League: International Hockey League
Operated: 1928–1936
Home Arena: Peace Bridge Arena
Championships
Regular Season Titles: two:(1930–31, 1931–32)
Playoff Championships: two: (1931–32, 1932–33)

The Buffalo Bisons were a professional ice hockey team representing Buffalo, New York, although they played home games in nearby Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada at the 5,000-seat Peace Bridge Arena.

History[]

The Bisons were founded in the Canadian Professional Hockey League for the 1928–29 season. The Bisons transferred to the International Hockey League for the next season. Buffalo were IHL league champions in 1931–32 and 1932–33, winning the F. G. "Teddy" Oke Trophy.

On March 17, 1936, the Bisons lost their home arena due to damage caused by thirteen inches of wet snow deposited by an early Spring storm. The arena which was only eight years old at the time, was designed with a "Lamella Trussless" roof to improve indoor sightlines, and reduce support frames obstructing the view. The structure proved to be to weak and collapsed under the weight of the snow. The Bisons played the remainder of the 1935–36 season on the road.

The Bisons joined the International-American Hockey League for the 1936–37 season. The team started the season playing out of an arena in Niagara Falls, Ontario. It soon became clear that they wouldn't be able to make a profit and pay players' salaries from ticket sales in the smaller facility. The club permanently ceased operations on December 6, 1936, after playing just eleven games with a record of 3-8-0.

The original Bisons were replaced in 1940 when the Syracuse Stars relocated to Buffalo, becoming the new Bisons team. The new Bisons would play from 1940 and 1970.

Season-by-Season Results[]

  • Buffalo Bisons 1928–1929 (Canadian Professional Hockey League)
  • Buffalo Bisons 1929–1936 (International Hockey League)
  • Buffalo Bisons 1936 (International-American Hockey League)

Regular Season[]

Season Games Won Lost Tied Points Goals
For
Goals
Against
Standing
1928–29 42 17 18 7 41 89 72 5th, CPHL
1929–30 42 26 12 4 56 102 67 2nd, IHL
1930–31 48 30 13 5 65 115 76 1st, IHL
1931–32 48 25 14 9 59 106 80 1st, IHL
1932–33 44 26 12 6 58 128 70 2nd, IHL
1933–34 44 20 13 11 51 90 66 2nd, IHL
1934–35 44 20 18 6 40 113 100 3rd, IHL
1935–36 48 22 20 6 50 109 101 2nd, IHL
1936–37 11 3 8 0 6 23 30 disbanded

Points not awarded for tied games during 1934–35 International Hockey League season.

Playoffs[]

Season 1st Round 2nd Round Finals
1928–29 Out of playoffs
1929–30 W, 2-1, Detroit L, 1-3, Cleveland
1930–31 2nd place in double round robin.
1931–32 1st place in double round robin. Champions
1932–33 1st place in double round robin. Champions
1933–34 3rd place in double round robin.
1934–35 Out of playoffs
1935–36 W, 3-1, Cleveland L, 1-2, Windsor
1936–37 Did not complete season.