Newmarket Saints

Newmarket Saints
CityNewmarket, Ontario
LeagueAmerican Hockey League
ConferenceWestern Conference
DivisionNorth Division
Operated1986–1991
Home arenaRay Twinney Complex
ColoursBlue and White
Owner(s)Maple Leaf Gardens Limited
General managerGord Stellick
Head coachPaul Gardner (1986–1990)
Frank Anzalone (1990–91)
AffiliateToronto Maple Leafs
Franchise history
1978–1982New Brunswick Hawks
1982–1986St. Catharines Saints
1986–1991Newmarket Saints
1991–2005St. John's Maple Leafs
2005–presentToronto Marlies

The Newmarket Saints were a minor league hockey team in Newmarket, Ontario. It played in the American Hockey League from 1986 to 1991 as the farm team of the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Ray Twinney Complex.

After the 1985–86 season, the Toronto Maple Leafs moved their top affiliate from St. Catharines to the Ray Twinney Complex, a recently built arena in Newmarket, north of Toronto.

However, the Ray Twinney Complex was nowhere near adequate for an AHL team, and Newmarket itself was too small at the time for the team to be viable. These factors, combined with the team being barely competitive (only one winning season), led the Leafs to move the Saints to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador for the 1991–92 season where they became the St. John's Maple Leafs. The void in Newmarket would be filled by the Newmarket Royals, of the OHL.

The franchise was replaced by: