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Philadelphia Firebirds
Philadelphia firebirds 1977-78
City: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
League: NAHL (1974–1977)
AHL (1977–1979)
Operated: 1974–1979
Home Arena: Philadelphia Civic Center
Colors: White, Orange, Yellow, Green
Affiliates: Detroit Red Wings
Colorado Rockies
Franchise history
1974–1979: Philadelphia Firebirds
1979–1980: Syracuse Firebirds
Championships
Playoff Championships: 1: 1975–76
(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.

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, N.Y., 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
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