San Diego Skyhawks

Not to be confused with the San Diego Hawks who played in the Pacific Hockey League from 1978–79.
San Diego Skyhawks
CitySan Diego, California
LeagueSCHL (1941–44)
PCHL (1944–50)
Founded1941
Folded1950
Home arenaGlacier Gardens
ColoursRed, blue and white      
Owner(s)Jim Forsyth, Bret Forsyth and the Buffalo Bisons
Parent club(s)Buffalo Bisons (AHL)

The San Diego Skyhawks were a professional ice hockey team based in San Diego, California. Founded in 1941 as members of the Southern California Hockey League (SCHL), the team joined the Pacific Coast Hockey League (PCHL) in 1944. They played at the professional level until 1950.[1][2] The Skyhawks played their final season, 1950–51, in the Southern California Amateur Hockey Association.[3][4][5] Glacier Gardens served as the team's home rink. They won the 1948–49 Phil Henderson Cup.[6]

The Skyhawks were the farm team for the Buffalo Bisons of the American Hockey League from 1947 to 1950.[7][8] The Bisons owned half of the San Diego franchise along with brothers Jim and Bret Forsyth. Bret, who was an employee at Boeing, purchased an aircraft from the company to ferry his team to away games. Those travel accommodations were a rarity at the time, even at the highest level of sports, as most teams relied on bus and train transportation.[9]

Al Chapman, general manager of the Buffalo Bisons, announced in May 1950 that Buffalo would not continue to finance the San Diego PCHL franchise for the upcoming 1950–51 season. Chapman stated that the Bisons had been taking losses for the last two season, in spite of the Skyhawks' Phil Henderson Cup victory in 1949. Buffalo searched for local investment to keep the team alive in the PCHL to no avail.[10] The Skyhawks informed the PCHL they were withdrawing their membership on May 16, 1950.[11] The rights of the players San Diego had on assignment from Buffalo were transferred to the Seattle Ironmen for the 1950–51 PCHL season.[12]

  1. ^ "San Diego Skyhawks Statistics and History [SCHL]". hockeydb.com. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  2. ^ "San Diego Skyhawks Statistics and History [WHL]". hockeydb.com. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  3. ^ Anderson, Claude (10 December 1950). "Short Slants". San Bernardino Sun. No. 4.35. San Bernardino, California. p. 45. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  4. ^ "S.B. Shamrocks, San Diego Battle In Orange Show Hockey Tonight". San Bernardino Sun. San Bernardino, California. 20 January 1951. p. 9. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  5. ^ Anderson, Claude (30 November 1950). "Sport Slants". The San Bernardino County Sun. San Bernardino, California. p. 43. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  6. ^ Jon C. Stott (2008). Ice Warriors: The Pacific Coast/Western Hockey League, 1948-1974. Heritage House Publishing Co. p. 79. ISBN 978-1-894974-54-7.
  7. ^ "Hockey; Team Strengthened for New Season". San Pedro News Pilot. No. 91.179. 30 September 1947. p. 6. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Los Angeles, Fresno Invade Gardens to Battle 'Hawks'". National City Star-News. 20 January 1950. p. 4. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Obituaries; James Forsyth". Coronado Eagle and Journal. No. 91.38. Coronado, California. 19 September 2001. p. 26. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  10. ^ "San Diego Skyhawks May Fold". The Province. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Associated Press. 3 May 1950. p. 12. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Skyhawks Quit Coast Ice Loop". The Oakland Post Enquirer. Oakland, California. United Press International. 17 May 1950. p. 20. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  12. ^ Swangard, Erwin M. (10 August 1950). "PCHL South Division Expected to Operate". The Province. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. p. 24. Retrieved 9 October 2023.