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Pittsburgh Lyceum

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pittsburgh Lyceum
CityPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
LeagueWestern Pennsylvania Hockey League
Founded1907
Operated1907–1908
Home arenaDuquesne Garden
ColorsMaroon, White
   [1][2]
General managerFrank L. Danahey
Championships
Regular season titles0

The Pittsburgh Lyceum Club, or Pittsburgh Lyceum, was a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was a member of the Western Pennsylvania Hockey League from 1907 to 1908 and played all of its games at Duquesne Garden.

History

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Lyceum in late 1908

After the WPHL was revived for the 1907–08 season, it was determined that two new teams would be needed so that the league could return to its four-team format. That season, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Lyceum entered the league.[3] During its brief time in the WPHL, the Lyceum team included several notable players such as Jack Marks, Tommy Smith and Garnet Sixsmith. Marks, however, only played in three games for the Lyceum before he jumped to the Ontario Professional Hockey League (OPHL), eventually playing in the Toronto Professional Hockey Club's Stanley Cup challenge.[4] Meanwhile, Sixsmith reportedly scored eleven goals in a game in Pittsburgh, which was considered to be a record for Duquesne Garden.[5] Lyceum player Tommy Smith was later inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. In its first year of play, the Lyceum posted an 11–5–1 record, earning second place in the standings.

Unable to rely on a stable line-up, due to the number of league players changing contracts, the Lyceum was forced to fold on December 23, 1908. The WPHL then discontinued after the 1908–09 season.[6]

The broader Lyceum organization, which continued to exist as a multi-sport club, formed another hockey team for the winter of 1920–21[7] and placed it in the Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League.[8] The team tied for third in the six-team league with a 4–5 record.[9]

Prominent players

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Members of the Hockey Hall of Fame who played for the Lyceum:

References

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  1. ^ "Great hockey to be played in this city" The Pittsburgh Press, November 24, 1907.
  2. ^ "Icy Inklings" The Pittsburgh Press, January 27, 1908.
  3. ^ Fitzsimmons, Ernie. "Is Pittsburgh the Birthplace of Professional Hockey". Pittsburgh Hockey.net. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  4. ^ Coleman, Charles (1966). Trail of the Stanley Cup, vol. 1, 1894-1926.
  5. ^ "Garnet Sixsmith - He Played Hockey When A Rival Said "I'll Break Your Leg" And Did It". Pittsburgh Press. December 15, 1931. p. 29.
  6. ^ "Before the NHL: Western Pennsylvania Hockey League, International Professional Hockey League". Crashing the Net. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
  7. ^ Welsh, Regis M. (November 29, 1920). "Lyceum Opens Winter Program with Great Athletic Entertainment". The Pittsburgh Post. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Six Teams in Hockey League". The Gazette Times. Pittsburgh. March 20, 1921. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Undefeated Barbours Will Play All-Star Team Tuesday Night". The Gazette Times. Pittsburgh. March 20, 1921. Sec. 3, p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.