- Indianapolis Checkers -

Indianapolis Checkers: 1979 - 1984

Notes: Lost the 1984 Adams Cup Finals; moved to the IHL in 1984 and remained a secondary affiliate with the Islanders until 1986.

It's amazing just how much the Indianapolis Checkers mirrored the success of the New York Islanders during the early 1980's. The Glory years for the Islanders has been well documented and their success culminated in four straight Stanley Cup Championships from 1980-83 and a fifth straight appearance in the finals. The Islanders were unfortunately not successful in their drive for five. It is often the case that in order to be a successful organization that's capable of winning it all you need a strong system that filtrates down throughout the roster and down to to minor leagues where players can be called up at any time to the NHL. The Islanders accomplished that by not only winning the Stanley Cup, but by winning the Adams Cup two years in a row, 1982 & 1983, with the Indianapolis Checkers. The mirror image continued as the Checkers made it to the finals in 1984. The Checkers drive for three was unsuccessful.

As soon as the Islanders and Checkers dominance came to an end the relationship between the two franchises took a major change. The biggest reason for this was due to the demise of the Central Hockey League. So the Islanders moved their primary affiliate to the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League. But that wasn't the end of the Indianapolis Checkers. They moved to the International Hockey League and changed their logo. The Islanders kept an affiliation with the club for another two years and shared it with the Minnesota North Stars and the Boston Bruins. Management changed in 1984 as Bill Torrey was no longer the team president. Ownership of the Checkers was taken over by Al Savill, an investment broker who during the 1970's had previously owned the IHL's Columbus Golden Seals, later named the Owls. Fred Creighton remained the Checker's general manager after having taken over for Devellano, who left the Islanders organization in 1982 to take a position with the Detroit Red Wings organization. Former Islander Darcy Regier took over as head coach.

In 1986 the Islanders ended their affiliation with the Indianapolis Checkers. The team stayed in existence for one more season, 1986-87, and then folded. After a year without, hockey returned to the city when the Indianapolis Ice joined the IHL in 1988.

Adams Cup Champions 1982

The Indianapolis Checkers finished the 1981-82 season 42-33-5 record which was good for 89 points and third place in their division. Not a superb season but good nonetheless. The team sported three 40 goal scoeres that year led by Red Laurence's 43, Steve Stoyanovich with 42 and Charlie Skjodt who had 40. Their first round series saw them sweep the Tulsa Oilers 3 games to 0 in a 5 game series. With the Checkers having home ice and keeping it into the second round, things started to come together as they continued their winning ways and swept the Wichita Wind 4 games to 0 in a 7 game series. Going into the finals, Indianapolis learned they would be facing the Dallas Black Hawks, the same team the Islanders affiliate in 1978, the Fort Worth Texans, defeated for the Adams Cup in 1978. Bruce Affleck, who scored 22 points in only 16 games during the regular season off the blue line, basically came in for the playoff run and delivered with 18 points in 13 playoff games played.

Other playoff heroes for the Checkers in the Cup run for the Checkers were leading scorer Laurence, Garth MacGuigan, Stoyanovich, Mike Hordy and Neil Hawryliw. Goaltender Kelly Hrudey posted a 7-3 record with a 2-64 GAA en-route to the Playoff MVP award. Indianapolis defeated Dallas in game 6 by a score of 5-1 and skated around with the Adams Cup when it was all over.

The Dallas team was led by Kelly Kisio, Art Rutland, Drew Callander, Rob Tudor, Jim MacRae, Kelly Elcombe and Bill Hogaboam, who was a member of the Texans in 1978. Indianapolis defeated the Black Hawks 4 games to 2 to win their first Adams Cup. Dallas would drop out of the CHL following the defeat.

Goaltender Kelly Hrudey made sprawling saves for the Checkers before graduating to Long Island

Adams Cup Champions 1983

The Indianapolis Checkers finished the 1982-83 season with a 50-28-2 record which was good for 102 points and first place. Obviously winning the Adams Cup in 1982 vaulted the Checkers to the elite in the CHL and realize their potential. Once again Red Laurence and Steve Stoyanovich topped the 40 goal mark for the Checkers. But the team was much more stronger and well rounded than even the season before when they first won the Adams Cup. Goaltender Kelly Hrudey improved twofold and carried his play from the 1982 playoffs where he was named MVP into the new season. The CHL decided to change the playoff format once again for 1983 and went back to a two playoff series format to win the championship. But, the finals would be changed to a best of 9 as opposed to the normal best of 7. Indianapolis, with the benefit of home ice advantage, took the Salt Lake City Golden Eagles in 6 games with a 4 games to 2 series win. In the finals they faced the first year Birmingham South Stars, a shared affiliate of the Minnesota North Stars and Los Angeles Kings.

The Birmingham team was led by Wes Jarvis, Craig Homola, Jim Dobson and Dave Debol. In goal they were led by Mario Lessard. Indianapolis took the Adams Cup, their second straight, with an unprecedented 5 games to 2 win over the South Stars. The Checkers won 7-2 in the seventh game that sparked their second celebration. Birmingham only lasted one season, 1982-83 in the CHL.

Bruce Affleck, who was brought in for the second straight year for the Checkers playoff run, came away with the playoff MVP award after recording 18 assists in 13 games played. Affleck had 36 points in 24 games for the Checkers during the last two regular seasons. Another late great addition was Ron Handy who contributed 11 points during the playoffs. Other playoff heroes were Laurence, Garth MacGuigan, Dave Simpson (brother of NHL'er Craig), power forward Kevin Devine, Glen Duncan, rookie Scott Howson, who led the entire playoffs with 12 goals, and first year defenseman Gord Dineen, who won the Bobby Orr and Bob Gassoff Trophy's in 1982-83. This time around Robert Holland backstopped the Checkers to the title as Kelly Hrudey graduated during the regular season to the New York Islanders.

Adams Cup Finalists 1984

The Indianapolis Checkers finished the 1983-84 season with a 34-36-2 record which was good for 70 points and fourth place in their division. Not a very good season at all. Yet they still managed to battle their way come playoff time in a bid for their third straight championship in a row. The Checkers still had a healthy balanced lineup with Red Laurence leading the way with 41 goals on the season. Scott Howson and Ron Handy remained for a second season after their playoff success of 1983 and provided offensive depth. In the playoffs it was really only Laurence who shined with a playoff leading 9 goals and 13 points in 10 games played. Indianapolis dispatched Colorado in the first round 4 games to 2. In the final they faced the Tulsa Oilers, who were looking for revenge of their 1982 playoff defeat at the hands of the Checkers.

The Oilers were led by Gary Burns, Bob Scurfield and Mike Blaisdell. More memorable contributors were Robbie Ftorek, Grant Ledyard and John Vanbiesbrouck. Some of their top players from the regular season like Dave Barr, George McPhee and Scott Kleinendorst did not even see playoff action because of promotions to the NHL and the Oilers were only 7 points better than the Checkers during the regular season.  Yet the Oilers got their revenge in the finals by sweeping the Checkers 4 games to 0 to end Indianapolis' drive for a third straight Cup. Interesting how their run was ended by a team nicknamed the Oilers, just as the Islanders lost their drive for 5 against the Edmonton Oilers the same year.

Miscellaneous Facts

The Islanders ended their affiliation with the Indianapolis Checkers following the 1985-86 season. Indianapolis spent their final season in the IHL in 1986-87. During that season, Ron Handy, no longer a member of the Islanders organization, scored a franchise leading 135 points. Another member of the Checkers in 1986-87 was defenseman Peter Laviolette during his first year as a professional after graduating from Westfield State College. Laviolette of course would later become the head coach of the New York Islanders in 2001 and remain there until 2003.

Checkers Milestones

First Goal: Ed Pizunski at 2:16 of period 1 vs. Cincinnati, October 10, 1979.
First Assists: Garth MacGuigan and Kevin Devine on goal by Ed Pizunski at 2:16 of period 1 vs. Cincinnati, October 10, 1979. 
First Power-Play Goal: Ed Pizunski at 2:16 of period 1 vs. Cincinnati, October 1, 1979.
First Shorthanded Goal: Dave Cameron at 3:04 of period 2 at Cincinnati, December 8, 1979.
First Overtime Goal: Alex McKendry at 0:50 vs. Fort Worth, I November 2, 1979.
First Hat Trick: Bruce Andres vs. Houston, January 13, 1980. 
First Penalties: Bruce Andres, 2 minutes for roughing and 5 for fighting, at 0:49 of period 1 vs. Cincinnati, October 10, 1979.
First Shutout: Richard Brodeur, 1-0 vs. Fort Worth, November 2, 1979 (OT).
First Victory: 8-1 vs. Cincinnati, October 10, 1979 (Jim Park). 
First Tie: 3-3 vs. Dallas, October 14, 1979.
First Defeat: 1-0 vs. U. S. Olympic Team at Chicago, October 25, 1979 (Jim Craig).
First Goal Against: John Bednarski of Cincinnati at 18:08 of period 3, October 10, 1979.
First Overtime Goal Against: Mike Gillis of Fort Worth at 0:25, December 4, 1979, in Indianapolis.
First Hat Trick Against: Bobby Crawford of Salt Lake City, December 12, 1979, in Salt Lake City.
First Shutout Against: Jim Craig of U. S. Olympic Team, 1-0, October 25, 1979, in Chicago.

Checker History Highlights

August 1, 1979
Indianapolis is granted a franchise in the Central Hockey League. The franchise is to be owned and fully operated by the New York Islanders. Chief Scout Jim Devellano is named General Manager of the franchise, and Market Square Arena is named as home of the new team.

August 22, 1979
Franchise announces nickname of "Checkers". First schedule of 80 games is announced. First signing-free agent Jim Park. 

August 24, 1979
Reserved seats were put on sale to the general public.

September 4,1979
Bert Marshall is named head coach of the Checkers. Marshall was a former defenseman with the Islanders, and had served as assistant coach to Al Arbour in New York in 1978-79. 

September 10, 1979
The first training camp opened for the Checkers in New York.

October 10, 1979
The first game for the new team in Indianapolis. An 8-1 thrashing of the rival Cincinnati Stingers. First goal came from Ed Pizunski at 2:16 of period one.

November 2, 1979
Richard Brodeur notched the first shutout by a Checker goaltender, stopping the Fort Worth Texans 1-0 in overtime.

January 3, 1980
The Checkers met the U.S. Olympic Team, tying the eventual Gold Medal winners 2-2.

January 13, 1980
Winger Bruce Andres scored the first Checker hat trick. The three goal performance came against Houston.

April 20, 1980
The CHL announced league awards were being given to Darcy Regier (Ironman).

May 1, 1980
The CHL announces that goaltenders Richard Brodeur and Jim Park had combined for the lowest goals-against average for the 79-80 season, and had won the Terry Sawchuk Trophy.

June 1, 1980

General Manager Jim Devellano was named Minor League Executive of the year by the Hockey News.

February 10, 1981
Garth MacGuigan set a new Checker record by scoring six points in a game - 2 goals and 4 assists, against fort Worth.

February 22, 1981
With a 4-3 win at Tulsa, the Checkers set a new CHL record with 12 consecutive victories.

March 7, 1981
The Checkers set a minor league record by drawing 15,925 people to a 4-1 win over Salt Lake.

April 3, 1981
GM Jim Devellano resigns his position to become Assistant GM with the parent Islanders.

April 15, 1981
Coach Bert Marshall resigns his coaching position to join the Colorado Rockies as head coach.

June 23, 1981
It was announced that the Checkers would move their home ice from Market Square Arena to the Indiana State Fair Coliseum.

June 29, 1981
Fred Creighton, veteran coach of Atlanta and Boston in the NHL, is named to the dual role of Coach and General Manager of the Checkers.

October 7, 1981

Opening night in the Coliseum, and the Checkers dropped a heartbreaker 6-5 in overtime.

November 13, 1981
Steve Stoyanovich set a new Checker andlCI;IL mark by scoring two goals just 11 seconds apart.

December 22, 1981
Charlie Skjodt sets a new Checker standard by notching five assists in a 9-5 win over the Cincinnati Tigers.

December 29, 1981
The largest crowd in the Coliseum (7526) came to see the San Diego Chicken, and the Checkers win 4-2 over Tulsa.

December 30, 1981
Monty Trottier set a new team record with 45 penalty minutes in one contest. He was whistled for three majors, two misconducts and one game misconduct.

February 2, 1982
Goaltender Kelly Hrudey and defensemen John Marks and Mike Hordy represent the Checkers at the first annual CHL All-Star contest in Salt Lake City.

March 12, 1982
The Checkers snap a 360 game scoring string of the Salt Lake Golden Eagles. The Checkers shut them out 5-0.

March 19, 1982
Red Laurence sets a Checker record by scoring four goals in a game against Dallas and Ken Ellacott. Checkers won 9-3.

May 1, 1982
With a win in Dallas on May 1, the Checkers tied a CHL mark of eight straight playoff wins. The Checkers had swept Tulsa 3-0 and Wichita 4-0.

May 6, 1982
The Checkers win the Sawchuk Trophy for the second time in three years. This time it was Kelly Hrudey and Rob Holland to yield only 259 goals.

May 14, 1982
The Checkers win their first CHL championship and the Adams Cup by defeating Dallas 5-1 in game six of the series. Kelly Hrudey was named the winner of the Max McNab Trophy as Playoff MVP.

May 19, 1982
Fred Creighton is honored as the CHL's Coach of the Year.

January 4, 1983

Dave Hanson scored a goal six seconds into period three a team record for quickest goal. It was one second off the CHL and NHL records.

January 18, 1983
A large Checker throng represent the defending champions in the second annual All-Star game. Goaltenders Holland and Hrudey; defenseman Darcy Regier; and forwards Garth MacGuigan, Kevin Devine and Scott Howson were there, with the Stars coached by Fred Creighton. Defenseman Darcy Regier scored a goal in the 6-6 game.

March 23, 1983
The Checkers hit double figures for the first time, pounding Wichita 11-3.

March 26, 1983
The Checkers clinch their first regular season championship the Emory Jones Trophy.

April 2, 1983
An 8-2 win over Birmingham concludes the Checkers productive regular season. It marked a new CHL record of 31 home wins in a season and the Checkers first 100 point season (102).

Apri116, 1983
The CHL announces annual awards, and the Checkers clean-up. The goaltenders combine for the Sawchuk Trophy again. Kelly Hrudey is also selected league MVP, whi1e Gord Dineen is selected the league's Top and most Improved defenseman. Red Laurence won the Ashby Trophy (Ironman), and the Checkers were awarded the Clarence Campbell Trophy as the top franchise in the CHL on and off the ice.

May 4, 1983
The Checkers clinch their second consecutive Adams Cup Championship, with a 7-2 win over Birmingham, and a 5-2 win in the best-of-nine series. Bruce Affleck is awarded the McNab Trophy as Playoff MVP.

October 8, 1983
The Checkers meet the 1984 version of the U.S. Olympic Team.