| Detroit Vipers | |
|---|---|
| City | Auburn Hills, Michigan |
| League | International Hockey League |
| Operated | 1994–2001 |
| Home arena | The Palace of Auburn Hills |
| Colors | Green, white, red, black, eggplant, aqua |
| Affiliate | Tampa Bay Lightning |
| Franchise history | |
| 1969–1994 | Salt Lake Golden Eagles |
| 1994–2001 | Detroit Vipers |
| Championships | |
| Division titles | 4 (1994–95, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99) |
| Turner Cups | 1 (1997) |
The Detroit Vipers were a professional ice hockey team that competed in the International Hockey League (IHL). Originally founded in 1969 as the Salt Lake Golden Eagles in Salt Lake City, the team was purchased by Palace Sports & Entertainment and relocated to Auburn Hills, Michigan in 1994. The rebranding to the Vipers was influenced by a sponsorship deal with the Chrysler Corporation, aligning the team's name with the company's popular Dodge Viper sports car, though the team’s logo featured a venomous snake rather than the vehicle.
In their first five seasons, the Vipers were highly successful, achieving 100 points each year and making two appearances in the Turner Cup Finals, winning the championship in 1997.
In 1999, Palace Sports acquired the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL), and the Vipers became their top minor league affiliate. However, the team struggled over the next two seasons before both the Vipers and the IHL ceased operations in 2001.