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St. Louis Flyers

The St Louis Flyers were members of the American Hockey Association, a minor pro league existing between 1926 and 1942. The Flyers won the American Hockey Association championship in 1935, 1936, 1938, 1939 and 1941. The American Hockey Association was disbanded after 1941-42 season due to World War II. It was re-organized as the United States Hockey League in 1945-46.

Working alongside Jones until 1953 was George Carson, an energetic publicity man who helped dream up innovative ways to fill the Arena with spectators. Like Jones, Carson wore many hats and enjoyed them all. "My dad served as general manager for the Flyers, was the ringmaster for the Police circuses and promoted boxing and wrestling matches," Seibel says. "Because of his job, I was the only kid in elementary school who could judge a prize fight."

To help out the financially struggling Flyers, Carson even served as a practice goalie. "He would sign their contracts one day, and let them shoot pucks at him the next," Seibel says. An ever-innovative promoter, Carson often brought his work home with him, "like the time Jean Pusie hid in our house," Seibel recalls. To draw attention to the Flyers, Carson developed a plan where the popular player would fake a defection back to Canada. "The story was that Jean wanted to go home because he felt dejected that fans were unsupportive," Seibel says.

On the day Pusie was to leave, fans and newspaper reporters turned out at the downtown train station to witness his departure. What they didn't realize was that Carson picked Pusie up at the next stop and took him home with him. Meanwhile, calls were made to Canada to try to get Pusie to talk. In on the scheme, the hockey player's family claimed he felt too dejected to answer questions. A few days later, Carson staged Pusie's comeback. Fans flocked to the Arena to welcome him home.

Jean Baptiste Pusie is a Legend in Hockey. Pusie was the great travelling comedian of professional hockey. Between 1929 and 1943, he played for 21 different teams not counting return engagements. He was a big defenseman with little talent who often got himself into trouble by stirring up the fans and puzzling his teammates and opponents with his antics.

After a tryout with the Monteal Canadiens in 1930, he was sent to London, Ontario to improve his limited skills. The rap on Pusie was his tendency to take too long to get his shots away and his inability to take his eyes off the puck when he skated.

In London, however, fans were more preoccupied with his behaviour than his stickhandling. One night, on a breakaway, he fired a sizzler that took the opposing goalies' glove right off of his hand and into the net for a score. Before the goalie could move, Pusie dove into the net, secured the glove and presented it to the befuddled goalkeeper accompanied by a low bow.

Years later, after having played a total of ten games with the Canadiens, Pusie found himself playing for Regina where, one night his team was winning 18-0 and he had scored all of the goals. After having led the WCHL in scoring with Regina-Vancouver, the New York Rangers purchased Pusie's services. But as in Montreal, he played poorly at the NHL level and was sold to the Boston Bruins after only 19 games in Broadway Blue.

In Boston, Pusie continued his trend of big-league ineptitude accentuated by outlandish behaviour. He lasted only eight games in Beantown before being dispatched to the minors. In 1935-36, he got one final run with the Canadiens, lasting 31 games until his antics wore too thin to be tolerated. He was sent to the minors for good where he continued his cheeky play across North America, making stops in Providence, Cleveland, St.Louis, Vancouver, Seattle and Montreal. He finally packed in his show in 1943.

Signed as a free agent by Montreal, February 4, 1930. Loaned to Providence (Can-Am) by Montreal with the trade of Gerry Carson and cash for Johnny Gagnon, October 21, 1930. Loan transferred to Galt (OPHL) by Montreal for cash, October 30, 1930. Signed as a free agent by Regina (WCHL) after being released by Quebec (Can-Am), November 16, 1932. Traded to NY Rangers by Vancouver (WCHL) for cash, March 11, 1933. Traded to Boston by NY Rangers for Percy Jackson, November 1, 1934. Traded to Montreal by Boston with Walt Buswell and cash for Roger Jenkins, July 13, 1935. Traded to Boston (Can-Am) by Montreal for cash, February 9, 1936. Signed as a free agent by St. Louis (AHA), September 24, 1938. Traded to Vancouver (PCHL) by St. Louis (AHA) for cash, October 11, 1939. Traded to St. Louis (AHA) by St. Paul (AHA) for cash, November 3, 1941. Traded to Fort Worth (AHA) by St. Louis (AHA) for Andre Maloney, February 12, 1942.

The Harry F. Sinclair Trophy was awarded to the league champions. In 1935 the American Hockey Association and the Central Hockey League held a championship series. On Apr. 3 at St. Paul, St. Paul defeated St. Louis 3-2; on Apr. 7 at St. Paul, St. Paul defeated St. Louis 3-2; on Apr. 9 at St. Paul, St. Paul defeated St. Louis 8-2. The St. Paul Saints defeated the St. Louis Flyers 3 games to 0.

Detroit withdrew from league after six games. St. Paul and Winnipeg both awarded two wins each. Four losses added to Detroit's total. Chicago renamed "Americans" Mar. 8, 1927. Buffalo changed name to "Majors" Feb. 3, 1931. Minneapolis folded Feb. 12, 1931 and finished season playing remaining games on the road.

Buffalo ceased operations Jan. 29, 1932. in 1933 the league was divided into halves, the first half and the second half. in 1933 St. Paul transferred to Tulsa for second half. Duluth transferred to Wichita for second half. Wichita Blue Jays disbanded Dec. 10, 1933. Three games played by Wichita not included in official league records.

in 1935 Played interlocking schedule with Central Hockey League. Oklahoma City Warriors franchise transferred to Minneapolis Mar. 12, 1936. in 1940 Wichita vs St. Paul Mar. 8th worth 4 pts. Tulsa vs Wichita games cancelled. in 1942 there was a north and south division.

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