Cincinnati Stingers
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| Cincinnati Stingers | |
 |
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| Played | (1975 – 1979) |
| Home ice | Riverfront Coliseum |
| Based in | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Colors | Black, Yellow |
| League | World Hockey Association |
The Cincinnati Stingers were an ice hockey team based out of Cincinnati, Ohio that played in the World Hockey Association from 1975 to 1979. Their home arena was Riverfront Coliseum and they are the only major-league hockey team ever to play in Cincinnati.
The Stingers franchise was awarded in 1974 as part of the WHA's ill-conceived attempt at expansion. Most of the league's existing teams were not financially stable, and franchise relocations were commonplace. The Stingers played through the league's final season in 1978-79, but with attendance being average at best, the club was not included in the merger with the National Hockey League that took place in the summer of 1979. The Stingers, along with the Birmingham Bulls, were paid to disband when the WHA ceased operations.
The Stingers were the first professional team of long-time NHL star and Hockey Hall of Famer Mike Gartner. Future Hall of Famer Mark Messier also played for the Stingers.
[edit] CHL Stingers
After the WHA shut down, a minor professional team called the Cincinnati Stingers began the 1979-80 season in the Central Hockey League. It disbanded 33 games into the season.
