The Hamilton Tiger Cubs were renamed in 1960 becoming the Hamilton Red Wings as they wanted to gain increased ticket sales to emphasize the affiliation with the parent Detroit Red Wings which dated back to 1953. The team played for 14 seasons before being renamed the Hamilton Fincups as they had an ownership change as well as the partnership with Detroit was terminated in the late 60's. The Red Wings of 1962 were coached by Eddie Bush, and managed by Jimmy Skinner . The team finished second overall in the OHA standings, then lost only 1 game in the post-season run to the Memorial Cup. In the playoffs Hamilton defeated the St. Catharines Teepees, Niagara Falls Flyers, and the Metro Jr. A. champs Toronto St. Michael's Majors 4 games to 1, winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup. The Red Wings then swept the series against the Quebec Citadelles for the George Richardson Memorial Trophy to win the Eastern Canadian Championship. The Red Wings would play the Western Canadian champion Edmonton Oil Kings for the Memorial Cup. The first game of the 1962 Memorial Cup was played on home ice at the Barton Street Arena which Hamilton won 5-2. The next three games were played at the Guelph Memorial Gardens. Hamilton won game two 4-2. Edmonton won game three 5-3. Hamilton shutout Edmonton 3-0 in game four. The fifth and deciding game was played in the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. The Red Wings defeated the Oil Kings 7-4 to win the series and the Memorial Cup, 4 games to 1. Five years later the Red Wings made it to the OHA finals again in 1967, but were swept 4 games to 0 by the Toronto Marlboros. Once the sponsorship money from the Detroit Red Wings ended at the conclusion of the 1966-67 season the franchise went in a free for all and owner Nick Durbano who had cash flow issues and little interest to maintain a competitive team. Durbano finally found a buyer in the summer of 1974
Players
The two most famous Hamilton Red Wings alumni are "Little M" Pete Mahovlich, and 1972 Summit Series hero Paul Henderson. Many Hamilton Red Wings went on to play for the Detroit NHL team.
1960-61 Defeated Peterborough Petes 8 points to 2 in quarter-finals.
Lost to St. Michael's Majors 9 points to 5 in semi-finals.
1961-62 Defeated St. Catharines Teepees 9 points to 3 in OHA semi-finals.
Defeated Niagara Falls Flyers 8 points to 0 in OHA finals. Defeated St. Michael's Majors 8 points to 2 in all-Ontario finals. OHA CHAMPIONS Defeated Quebec Citadelles in Richardson Trophy playoffs. Defeated Edmonton Oil Kings 8 points to 2 in Memorial Cup finals. MEMORIAL CUP CHAMPIONS
1962-63 Lost to Niagara Falls Flyers 8 points to 2 in OHA semi-finals.
